WLCG Yateley via Sandhurst -25 miles

on

Lynne was due to lead us on a new route to try out a teashop near Mattingly. Gill needed to be back a bit earlier today, so we agreed on a 9am sharp start. Well, at 8.30 it was chucking it down, so everything on hold for at least an hour, in the hope that it would blow through. It did, however, was now too much of  rush to get back in time for Gill so we are saving that ride for next week.

A mystery tour then. (As much as it can be around here after 12 months of staying local!) 

Route

We started by heading to Ludgrove and then past Holme Grange School, and into Honey Hill. With this mornings torrential rain, we thought the pretty Redlake Lane over the ford might be messy. At the bottom of Honey Hill, a short diversion to use the recently improved path to Heathlands Road. Great surface with just one obstacle in our way.

Roadblock, but easy enough to duck underneath

Next, through the grounds of Ravenswood Village, and onto the golf course path. Golf course is still closed, so all very quiet there.

Cutting through the Golf Course in Crowthorne

Stream in the golf course

I was going to suggest a right turn next and down to Ambarrow and around the lakes, but both Martina and Lynne had never ridden through Wellington College grounds, so we went left instead.

Riding on the main drive of Wellington College, Crowthorne


At the other end, we now join a good cycle path on the pavement, which undulates with plenty of fast downhill sections to bring us to the traffic lights passed Eagle House School, where we turn right to Little Sandhurst.  I am not very familiar with this area, but knew a route called Sandy Lane which is a bit messy...especially after this morning rain.  (We would have done better to continue left where I suggested a right turn to Sandy Lane).  This would have joined up at the other end of Sandy Lane, where the road returns to tarmac. We now turn left passing Sandhurst Church, and into Church Lane.

Now to Yateley, where I seem to go a different way every time .....but we managed.   Eventually to Up Green, and at Eversley cross we climb to the Greyhound Pub at the top of the road.  The climb continues at the junction, before we turn into Church Lane, Finchampstead.  We heard this morning that there had been some kind of landslip at the Ridges  near the War Memorial and the Ridges road was closed in both directions, so we avoided it. (I've since heard that a friend got through fine on her bike as can pedestrians.)

Church Lane, Finchampstead and Queen Oak pub shining in the sun 


Finchampstead Church

Finchampstead Church.
We stopped for a quick snack here

It's almost a year since we first sat on the grass in this spot "socially distancing" and assuming that it would only be a few weeks before life would be back to normal . How wrong we were.

Now at 11.30, we decided to add another loop, since still plenty time for Gill. So, through Hogwood Lane to take us to Farley Hill, where today after turning into Church  Lane we continued straight up then right on Castle Hill enjoying a nice long downhill to Swallowfield Road. We were amused to spot a young couple "Canoodling" in a car on our way down. 😂

I was under the impression that Mole Road, from Arborfield was to be closed for weeks, and had used it twice recently. So with this in mind, led the ladies down Greensward Lane and Church Lane Arborfield to join part way along Mole Road. We haven't used this route before, since we normally avoid Mole road. As a fair amount of traffic passed us, we realised it was no longer closed.... oops. Anyway, it served the purpose today, but not a road I enjoy when its fully in use.

Nice to see everyone, and its rumoured that Jeanette is doing really well with her mileage and speed and hopes to join us again soon. In 2 weeks it will be official that we can ride together with up to 6, until then we try to look at least as if we are not all together. Its certainly kept us sane, and no harm has come to any one.