I was hoping to encourage a few ladies who are already comfortable doing 20-25 miles, to do this 30 miler from FBC to Sherfield on Loddon. But the uptake was just 3 riders, one of whom had to cancel the night before. A shame, since it was a lovely ride and the best bit about going a little further is that you get to go somewhere different. I bumped into Carol on Nashgrove Lane, on her way north on a recce ride on her own. Well done Carol, who is now a U3A leader.😇
Route
Barbara, Debbie and I met at FBC on a beautiful sunny morning, and our route started on the Arborfield Greenway, where we stopped for a moment at the horse sculptures. Mine and Barabara's first visit. As I took a couple of photos, Cathy stopped to chat with a friend on their way out for a morning ride.
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| the Resin horse sculptures |
Wiggling around the cycle paths around the tennis courts, we turned left into Sheerlands Road, to cross to Church Road, Farley Hill, then into Church Lane. All the Breeze rides I ever did, went right into Bunces Shaw to climb to the top, but we continued straight on, and at the top of Church Lane, turned left. A right turn at the junction now, to soon turn left to whizz down Sandpit Lane, then join Nutbean Lane.
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| Pretty cottage on our left at the junction of Sandpit Lane |
With no recent rain, Sandpit Lane was fine today. It can be messy at times. I was on my road bike for the first time in months, so was relieved that it was ok. (Gravel bike in for service). Then joining Church Road once more, into Swallowfield, we turned at the mini roundabout into The Street, and soon left into Trowes Lane. Crossing to Barge Lane, a quick stop for a drink at the impressive house on the corner of Spring Lane.
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| Keep right here on Barge Lane |
At the next split in the road, the right fork and over the green bridge on Kingbridge Hill to climb to Lamb's Lane. And now we are rewarded with the long downhill section over the A33, and we continue to Beech Hill, turning left into a different Trowes Lane. The route now is pretty much straight for a few miles, around the edges of Stratfield Saye, until or left turn into Mill Lane to take us to Sherfield on Loddon.
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| A busy day at The Coffee Shop, S.O.L. Debbie's first time here |
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| Fab cakes. |
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| Arty farty shot of the 3 of us. |
Fed and watered, we use the cycle path now to cross the A33, and turn right to Hartley Wespall.
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| Cattle seeking shade alongside the A33. |
I had planned the route to go left passed the pretty church at Hartley Wespall, but the ladies had not been passed Lyde Mill before so we turned right instead to pass the ford. Such a pretty spot.
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| Lyde ford on Mill Lane. |
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| The garden behind the Mill house has beautiful textural blog planting. |
From the ford a gradual climb to start, then a little bit of a push up the hill to join Frog Lane. A couple of cars came down the lane, and since it's very narrow, we had to pull over to the side.
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| Stopping for a car to pass as we climb Mill Lane. |
At the top, a right turn then shortly a left, near Tylney Hall, and we ride through Rotherwick. Joining the main road for less than half a mile, we turn off to Mattingley Church. Just a couple of hills now to "the pub." A bit of discussion about the pub name. Barbara thought something to do with chickens, and Debbie thought something about a sheep. It was of course The Shoulder of Mutton. 😂
Now crossing Hazeley, to the Bramshill Road, with that nastly little climb on Plough Lane that we all love. I was not keen to cross Bramshill Forrest today on my road bike, so the route back was all the way to Eversley on the Bramshill Road which was not that busy. A bit awkward to cross straight over the A327 to pass the school on Glaston Hill Road, but then into Eversley and up Longwater Road.
We had discussed the route home, which was up Dell Road. Barbara thought I was joking, but I assured here she CAN do Dell Road. She hasn't done it for a while, but having done the inclines today I knew she would be absolutely fine.... or stop for a break and walk if necessary.
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| Strawberries still growing in the ugly poly tunnels at the bottom of Dell Road |
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| I was never in doubt. Barbara with Dell Road under her belt. Woohoo. |
Straight over now and then our final climb on Church Lane, to enjoy the run down White Horse Lane back to California Park.
4 hours, as predicted. Well done ladies. Thanks for your good company. Take the afternoon off.
