A drive to Chieveley again this Sunday morning, to our regular parking spot on the bend on School Road. John planned the route, some of which was familiar, other bits new or backwards, so all a big surprise.😁
A horsebox parked up just in front of us, and with one horse already loaded, they were collecting a second from the adjoining field for a day trip. At the same time, 3 motorcross bikes shot through the car park and disappeared down a track. We would see them again later.
Route
We left Chievely along School Road turning right, then over the A34 flyover, doing a loop to Worlds End where we once more cross the A34, heading to Beedon. A nice lane and we stopped and did a little detour following the sign for the church.
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| leaving the car park on School Road. Sunny but old about 3degrees |
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| a detour to the left, passed the old barn in Beedon |
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| Opposite the barn in Beedon, undulations clearly in view! |
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| Cockerel on the spire |
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| leaving Beedon towards Stanmore |
We are then following an undulating route towards East Ilsley, although today we don't actually go into the village.
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Photo stop which includes the barn in the distance, ups and down ahead of us
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| heading for East Ilsley |
As we approach East Ilsley, we stay high, and alongside the A34 for just a short stretch, then at the junction a left turn. Immediately put on our power for this climb, and pass a cyclist on peddle power, up the first climb on the East/West Ilsley road. A few more serious climbs on this road as we know from past trips. We stop next to West Ilsley Church.
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| Left turn to Catmore, leaving West Ilsley |
We had ridden this road before , but in the opposite direction. Quite a cheeky climb this way! We stop to photograph the undulations on these fields, which had done previously. They look different every few seconds as the clouds blew across.
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| Views along Catmore Road |
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| The road ahead |
As we cross over the B4494, we stop at the top of a rise on Long Lane at a cross roads, where 3 motor cyclists to our right are looking at a phone, checking their route. I recognise them as the 3 who shot through the car park in Chieveley. They were filthy, but had been having fun doing a cross country route. We chatted for a few minutes, they were interested in our bikes, then they shot off again straight over the Xroads as we continued straight on .
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| The motorcyclists leaving to continue their route back to Tadley |
We turn right at the junction, shortly after this (Brightwalton Church would have been to our left), and drop down to the farm shop in Farnborough, shared with the Honesty group of cafes.
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The farmshop out of view, but Farnborough Church on the hill
which we will ride past later. |
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| It's open! 3rd attempt!!! Not a looker, but lovely cakes. |
After the tea stop, the climb to Farnborough, which now has tiny new hedging planted on both sides of the road. Shame, since its lovely open view here. We have in the past turned right at the top of the hill (or approached from the right), but today's route takes us left. A bit more climbing then an endless downhill. Wheeeee. But chilly too. But the downhill is never endless of course, and I recognised a junction where we will now turn left to face a big up hill back to Brightwalton. (had come down this before). We arrive at a junction next to the school and even though its Sunday, lots of voices from the playground. (Another farmshop called Potting Shed will soon be doing cakes just to the left here)We turn right here towards Leckhampstead.
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| Brightwalton junction now heading for Leckhampstead |
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the road to Leckhampstead. Very quiet.
We pass under the M4 flyover bridge, and come into Westbrook. We will turn left here, but first a short detour for John to show me the river, which is meant to jog my memory of a past trip. (ish!) |
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| Bridge in Westbrook |
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Westbrook. Just checking, now we turn back and go right towards Boxford
It's a bit of climb to Boxford, and we pass a cyclists off pushing. (I would be too on my normal bike I expect) Then on to Winterbourne and soon back to the start, under the M4, and right to the car.
A few flakes of sleet on our way home. Never did feel like taking my jacket off, but not frozen with so many undulations to contend with.
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