E-bike Sunday again, and a few new miles covered today, thanks to some pre riding by John over the last week on his gravel bike. We started at Mattingley.
Route
It was a cool start today, 14 degrees, but with some sunshine, so it felt fine in short sleeves. We headed initially through Rotherwick and Tylney Hall, carrying straight over the Xroads at Newnam, over the A30, and M3 to Up Nately. A quick stop at the Tjunction, where there was a "Little bit of red".
Right at Up Nateley on the Greywell Road, then left into Frog Lane, to Mapledurwell. We followed the couple in the photo, also on ebikes, but passed them easily on our bikes, and having stopped, passed them again as they pulled up just here, and we continued passed them once more.
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| At the end of Dickens Lane, this impressive property, as we turned left and a dogleg right to cross the A339, following Farleigh Road running parallel to the M3 (a bit noisy on this section.) |
We soon arrived in Cliddesden, a pretty village with a pond at the junction where we turn left.
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| Cliddesden |
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| Cliddesden |
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| Cliddesden Pond |
As we leave the village a gradual climb, with grass banking either side of the road.
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| Haybales stacked high just as leave Cliddesden |
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| Looking back to Cliddesden |
We soon take a right turn into Grammarsham Lane, just before Ellisfield, and come to this fast downhill, followed by the inevitable up.
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| John a dot in the distance as I stop for a photo on Grammarsham Lane. |
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| And photo by John of me catching him up at the top of the climb. |
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| Top of the climb, and we are here. Great name! |
Left now on the B3046 for a hundred yards or so, then right turn heading for Dummer, on Farleigh Lane.
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Dummer Church. the man in the photo is collecting his newspaper which is
left at the church for collection, since the shop now closed. |
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| Phoenix were the crest of an old local family. |
It suddenly got cold as we headed down through some trees to our teastop at the recently opened Honesty Cafe in Dummer. Infact it was back to 14 degrees, having been 17 at one point. It felt really cold, with a pesky northerly wind. We did sit out though, next to Alton Cycling Club.
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| Only been open for 6 weeks. Very nice spot and good cakes 😋 |
We now pass under the M3, and also need to cross the A30 once more. Busy fast road, but just need to be patient. A left dog leg to cross over, and back on a quiet lane called Popham Lane. We soon arrive in North Waltham. Another pretty village with a pond.
Familiar route now to get us back via Strafield Saye, past Daneshill School, and Chandlers Green to Mattingley. Just near Daneshill School, a strong scent in the air, from this crop of pink clover.
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| Powerful scent in the air from Pink Clover. |
A lovely ride, and would to revisit with fresh crops in spring, and on a warmer day! Some useful new lanes to connect to other rides we have done.
