It's been a few months since we last started a ride near Winchester, so we set off today with ebikes, and a picnic lunch, to park at a favourite spot in Avington Park, nr Itchin Abbas. There were no highland cattle today, as before, but 4 bullocks taking cover in the trees right next to the car park.
Route
We left over the cattle grid and through the very pretty Avington Village, where, on a bend went straight over to a quiet lane alongside the golf course. The first part of our route is familiar. We spot several tents at Avington Glamping and are yet to be convinced 😁. This part of the ride is easy, as its just a little above the River Itchen, winding its way through the valley.
Not far on our right we notice loads of Queen Ann's Lace growing. Keen to get amongst it to photograph it, we see an elderly couple (about 65!!?😄) walking through where a footpath sign is, so get off our bikes.
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| Looking back to the lane we rode along |
A few minutes of photography, and back on our bikes, only to halt again as I spot this field of sunflowers. All facing the wrong way unfortunately, but very pretty.
Now still following the river Itchen, we ride through Ovington, and then cross the A31 to Tichbourne. Loads of farms along this part of the route, as the road wiggles alongside the river.
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Farmhouse in Tichbourne
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We ride a short section on the B3046, soon turning left into North End Lane to Northend, where the name changes to Cheriton Road. (We didn't visit Cheriton this time, but its worth a visit). We notice a couple of people stopped on a triangle of land to our left and there is a memorial stone for the Battle Of Cheriton. The elevated view is these fields, which are planted with Maze crop.
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| Site of part of land fought during the Battle of Cheriton 1644 |
A bit undulating, but nothing scary now, for as few miles before we drop down steeply to cross the A31 at Ropley Dean. There were a couple of motor bikes waiting at the opposite side, obvious waiting for other bikes to join them, and we guessed correctly that they were heading up the hill to the Watercress Line station. We used Red power for this hill. It's a steep climb to start with.
As we were part way up, at least 8 old bikes past us, with seriously smelly exhaust fumes as they labored up the Bighton Hill.😝. Then it drops down of course, and at the bottom, we should have gone straight on into a narrow lane (and not right on the bend ...as we did by mistake today... and did the same last time. We could go right here, since its the other two sides of a square into Bighton). We immediately realised our mistake so not a problem.
Finally spotted some hay bales.
A left turn soon into Oxdrove Way, to the junction of the B3046. Just a hundred yards and we turn off the B3046 to the right, and a steady, gentle uphill on Spiers Lane, which also has some nice fast downhill sections. Cafe not far now! It's almost 12.30, so ready for a cuppa!
We now do join the B3046 again and the Moon Roast farm shop (the Yard), in Brown Candover, is about a mile on our left. Our third visit here. Very popular with cyclists. Sunshine now and pretty hot in the concrete of the farm yard, so we opt for shade. We order two cinnamon slices, which turn out to be enormous so we bring one home in John's saddlebag.
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| at The Yard. |
Retracing our route for a mile, we continue on the B3046, turning left at Totford, and a climb now over Northington.
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| Looking back over Northington, at the top of our climb.. more maze! |
We had previously seed several fields of Flax in this area a couple of years ago. We saw one field today, but no decent access to photograph. So many crops fields now growing boring Maze. Maybe they always did, and I just hadn't noticed?
Mostly downhill now with about 5 miles to go, as we head for Itchen Abbas, and follow the river to cross it near Easton. This is a very pretty village with its pub and loads of thatch cottages.
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| opposite the pub in Easton. We turn left here. |
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| Cardoons in the front garden of this Easton Thatch |
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| John waiting for the photographer as we pass through Easton. |
We are so close to the end, but there is one more short climb as we approach Avington again, but soon drop down as we cross the other cattle grid, to a lovely view of the house and lake.
