Mattingley to Silchester - 21 miles with Barry and Monica

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At last a chance to get together again for another ride with Barry and Monica. We did our first ride together from our house, the second ride from their house, so today we arranged to meet at Mattingley Church to show them another local route. Monica on my ebike once more.

The forecast for today was looking a bit dodgy, so we kept the route to be 20ish miles, and started at 9.15,  in the hope that we would finish it before the predicted heavy rain, with thunder at noon. No pressure!

Route

We left Mattingly church, crossed the B3349, and took the first right into Bottle Lane. Continuing left at the grass triangle, up the incline, then a right turn, we dropped down past Daneshill School. Shortly after, we need to dogleg across the busy A33 at The Wellington Arms. It can be a tricky junction with busy traffic . (Enough said😟)

Regrouping once we had all crossed the A33, and now straight on
skirting the edges of Stratfield Saye

We continued on the quiet lanes, and rode on Green Lane to West End Green, arriving at this junction.

At West End Green. Signposts not terribly helpful😏

Bit spooky! At West End Green

Now on Mortimer Road, we turn left at the 90 degree bend and down the hill called Park Lane, to cross over the railway bridge, and join Clappers Farm Road, where we turn left, and climb up to Silchester.

John and Monica on the downhill of Park Lane

Barry and I had stopped to photograph them coming down the hill. 

A short break at Silchester Church, where the sky is looking pretty dark!


Photo by Monica

Selfie at Silchester Church

Now continuing down Church Lane Silchester, we turn left on Bramley Road, and continue over the railway line, joining Olivers Lane. Left at the junction onto Stratfield Saye Road, then 2nd right at the funny 5 way Xroads at Fair Oak. Now riding on Mill Lane, we keep right at the green triangle.... (except Barry who went left😂... the other right). At the end, a left towards Sherfield on Loddon to The Coffee Shop. Had a quick chat with James from FLAB, whom I had met once, when there with Daphne.

The Coffee Shop SOL. Busy today.

Skies looking more threatening now, with about 7 miles to go.

Always love these old signposts

We cut through to the footpaths to ride alongside the A33 and turn right towards Hartley Wespall, where we detour off of Rotherwick Lane, to visit Lyde Mill, as we often do. (Just a different way to climb the hill). A fisherman was just leaving his parked car with his gear, and a passing comment resulted in him explaining why its called "Fishing"...  and not "Catching". 😅

The Fisherman off to cross the River Lyde to do some "fishing".

Pretty dashes of pink at the ford

Can barely see the Mill house from the bridge this time of year

We passed this horse, which has now caught up with us.
I wonder if he can also see his reflection in the river?

Photo by Monica at Lyde Mill

Up the cheeky climb of Mill Lane, then right at the top, and soon left into Rotherwick. Almost there and just  a few spots of rain at times. Crossing over the B3349 once more, we take first right to pass Dipley Mill to end our circular route. 
Photo by Monica

At Dipley Mill

Mill house almost hidden here too this time of year, by Gunnera

So we made it, infact as we loaded up our bikes back at Mattingly church the sun was out, and it was like a summer's day. But by the time we got to Arborfield, the roads were running like rivers, with the rain bouncing off the ground. Perfect timing to water the garden, but not our bikes. 

Thanks for your good company Barry and Monica, and John our route planner today. Where next?