Our third visit today to start our ride at St Mary Bourne in Hampshire. Such a pretty area. The route was different in parts to our previous rides, but revisited the valley areas of St Mary Bourne and the pretty Longparish.
Route
Leaving the car park, and turning left, we soon left the main valley road, to follow the stream along a quieter lane.
 |
| Lots of pretty thatch cottages along the main street through the village |
 |
| Still on the main street through the village |
 |
| Now crossed the stream to ride along the back lanes. |
 |
| Can't resist! Another photo.... not getting anywhere fast. |
The valley road is easy, but we soon climb a rather large hill as we come out on the main road through Stoke, and do a dogleg left then right. Power assistance at the ready. This is a steep climb, and one to avoid if using our ordinary bikes, but it gets you up high, quickly. We do a couple of left turns and come to this junction, where we now turn right. (We could have come up this hill from St Mary Bourne which would have been 1st left after we leave the car park. Less steep?
 |
| Now heading towards Andover direction |
The hill doesnt stop at this sign, but is very gradual now for a while to the top as we pass through Middle and Lower Wyke.
 |
View to our right at the junction as we join Walworth Road, all downhill. We turn LEFT here.
Some strange domed building on the left in the distance. |
Now repeating the route past the Millhouse, we turn left this time at the junction joining Nuns Walk. A slight incline, but easy going, and soon we pass under the A34 approaching Whitchurch. Keeping left we come to The Silk Mill on our left. (We had not expected it to be open, so screeched to a halt!)
 |
| Proper tea pot. What a treat after months of cardboard cups |
Pretty busy with cyclists at the Silk Mill today, a couple of men's groups of 6. But whilst they set off on the main London Road, we take the rise out of Whitchurch on Micheldever Road. This was very pretty last summer, but a bit early for the crops atm. But had the place to ourselves again.
 |
| Micheldever Road |
 |
| New Top😀 |
 |
| Wheeee |
Views from Micheldever Road. Soon a left bend to follow this hedgeline, then left at the end, all the way to the junction of the main road at Bombay Gin.
 |
| The Almshouses at Freefolk |
 |
| Thatched Almshouses at Freefolk |
Immediately past the Almshouse, a right turn and uphill into Watch Lane. This is not too tough, but does keep going a bit. We eventually turn right and climb on a main, fast, road called Larks Barrow Hill... which is up hill. Some speedy traffic, so not the best part of the ride. We stick on power of course, so get it over and done with asap. Then a left filter lane to cross over the A34, and back on quiet lanes towards Lower Woodcot. Pretty area with vast fields of stripey lawns!
 |
| Lower Woodcot looking back |
 |
| Lower Woodcot where we keep right at this bend, before more climbing to Upper Woodcot |
Finally at the highest point, we turn left with just 3.5 miles to go and enjoy plenty of freewheeling. We pass this sign for a fruit picking shop, but it also mentioned
cafe, so John rode in to check for future. Bourne Valley PYO. Open every day 9-5. Could be useful.
Back to the start and with a picnic in the van, a bonus to see that a cricket match in full swing on the green next to the carpark.
Lovely area, if we can just find out how to avoid the hills it would be nice to bring friends without ebikes.😂
