A ride with Steph today. Like me, she is fed up with the same local routes, so fancied somewhere different and suggested starting Stoke Row, but since I have been there quite a lot recently I suggested starting in Bradfield. I have ridden from Bradfield about half a dozen times, but usually head for Aldworth and back via Basildon. John suggested today's route which combines parts of that ride, with another ride we have done during the past year, which starts in Chieveley. SO..... I knew some bits, but not the link that joined them up, and other bits which I have ridden before, I had completely forgotten. Thankfully the Garmin behaved itself.😁
John came with me to the start and he rode home via Crookham Common. He got home just a few minutes before me, limping home with a puncture from Arborfield.😔
The ride started from Dark Lane, crossing immediately to Back Lane, and was nice and flat to start us off, passing through the top end of Stanford Dingley and straight over any junctions to Bucklebury. We crossed the ford bridge here and took a sharp right heading uphill to pass the impressive school at Marlston Hermitage. (A quick stop to take off a layer).
Not far beyond the school I previously have turned right into Wellhouse Lane towards Frilsham, so the next section was the missing link. We continued straight on to be faced immediately with another climb, then a nice downhill into Hermitage. A bit of gentle uphill how leaving Hermitage to cross over both the M4 and shortly the A34 as we arrive in Chieveley. A left turn into School Road, and I am back on familiar ground, heading for the car park on the bend, where we stopped briefly for a drink.
 |
| School Road Chievely. We arrived from the left and stopped briefly on this bend at the car park |
A nice downhill now, left under the M4, and immediately right heading for Winterbourne. Can't remember why we stopped at this junction, but I took this photo since we had stopped.
 |
| unusual hedge line as we head towards Winterbourne. |
 |
| Bagnor at Kimber Cottage, looking back to where we came from, passing the sculpted hedge |
 |
| Selfie |
 |
| Entrance to the Windmill Theatre, Bagnor |
Now, passing the Christmas tree plantation, we turn right and pass The Woodspeen restaurant on our right. (John and I have a booking for May 19th! Woopee!!) Continuing straight for a few miles, we turn right through the pretty village of Boxford. No photos today, since the light was dull, dull, dull.
 |
| Top of the rise after crossing the B4494 |
 |
| Steph catching her breath as I take the previous photo. |
Round the bend, we pass a couple of very impressive homes on our left, then as we see a climb ahead (to Peasemore) we take a right turn at the base of the hill..... to climb a different hill😂. At the top I spotted Peasemore church spire on my left in the distance. (John and I passed the church on a recent ride heading off on a different direction... this is why I get confused. There are 6 different roads into Peasemore! )
Some signs now for Beedon, then through Worlds End, and another downhill section initially passing under the A34 and continuing downhill and finally spotted a sign for Hampstead Norreys. At last! Tea stop after 25 miles. (I had thought 20). Hampstead Norreys is another of these places that I don't yet know quite where the shop will be... different approach roads! The shop on our right as we arrive. (Last trip with John we turned left just before the village and headed to Compton).
We had a cuppa in the car park since not allowed to sit yet, and then continued through the village and forking right, our climb now to Yattendon passing what are the poppy fields in summer. I used to find this hill a challenge, but not now. The Pantry looked closed today, so just as well we were not relying on it for a tea stop.
2nd right now into Scratchface lane (new for me), which is a lovely lane, dropping down and passing a large property on the right.
 |
| Google Street view capture of large property Scratchface Lane |