I fancied somewhere different today, so Martina, Lynne and I got a lift with John to Odiham. (Dave made his own way to allow space in the van for the 3 of us). John and Dave did their own ride around the area, whilst we did our ride, heading eventually back home.
I was keen to take the ladies a tour of some new areas, so no point coming straight back home since we would soon be in Hartley Wintney and all familiar territory. So initially we left from the canal car park, into Odiham, then left into King Street, conveniently passing the public loos.
Route
Then a fast section down Hillside Road, already in the open countryside.
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| Views from Hillside Road |
We did a left turn, then continued to a right turn on a corner. Except that I had nagging feeling that this right turn was wrong. It very soon turned into an uphill gravel track, pretty hard going. We persevered, since it would eventually connect to the road I wanted.
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| At this farm, the track then turned left and downhill. |
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| Hmmm. don't fancy this. |
I knew exactly where this flood was, since our friends Barry and Monica live not far from the other side of this flood. It happens regularly. I decided to turn back, and take the long road round. Much cleaner. It was quite chilly still and none of us fancied getting wet feet with 35 miles still go go.
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| Views from the messy lane. |
I was slightly worried this the flood might also be on the tarmac lane at the other end, but at least it would be worth just riding through it, knowing that it was a flattish base. It turned out to be fine, but then within seconds, we had to dismount for this roadblock. A new driveway being poured.
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| It's going well so far! |
Then a wee loop of Crondall, passing the church, and we also noticed an A-board advertising a cafe.
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| Crondall church entrance |
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| useful to know for another time, but too early on todays ride. |
The next couple of miles to Well are a gradual uphill, and not nearly so bad as I remember from a couple of years ago, when I was not so fit. Just one stop at this signpost, since the light was looking nice on the fields.
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| On our way from Crondall to Well |
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| The "mound" in the distance doesn't look real somehow. |
Passing the entrance to Lord Wandsworth College, another climb before we pass though Long Sutton.
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Now a right turn, towards Greywell, and another strange sighting!
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All very easy going now for a couple of miles, until the very steep cheeky up hill at the junction with Natley Road, where we turned left. (Fox and Goose, Greywell, not far to the right).
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| Views from the high point on Natley Road. |
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| Martina and Lynne glad of the downhill section again on Natley Road! |
Almost ready for our right turn into Andwell Road, to take us over the M3, and soon arrived at the Brewery, alongside the River Lyde.
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| Andwell Brewery. We sat inside today. |
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| A few barrels of beer. |
I had only been here once before, and it was all good, but today the service was appalling. We waited ages for table service, then over 20 mins for a scone! Tea came first, and almost finished it by the time our food came. In the end we were there for about 45 mins, which is much too long for a tea stop when cycling.😠It wasn't even busy, with only one more table eating.
Lynne messaged to make sure Bob could do school pick up, and Martina's family already taken care of. We knew we had no time pressures today, but even so, preferred to get home by mid afternoon latest.
This was about the half way mark, and already 1.30. We now crossed the dogleg over the A30, and into the quiet Water End Lane and Pot Lane, taking us the Newnam Road. At this point I queried why Lynne and Martina never use their big chain? (Much faster, and less effort. ) So, they both tried. Martina tried hers, and all good, except that a few miles later on an incline, she couldn't get it back down into the middle chain.
We spent a few minutes faffing, her gear cable a bit loose, and managed to get her sorted. but she stayed in the middle chain the remainder of the route. Lynne used hers off and on, and shot off at times. 😊
We climbed the quiet traffic free Pyotts Hill, just short of Old Basing, and rode on the cyclepaths through Chinnor, connecting eventually to the pretty Cufaude Lane all the way to Bramley.
Then to Clappers Farm Road, crossing the ford, then right turn and up Park Lane with views over the railway line to Mortimer Church.
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Clappers Lane Ford
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| crossing the rail bridge on Park Lane, with views to Mortimer church spire |
Finally the climb to Beech Hill, and we wiggled our way back through Shinfield, a different way to every other time. Across to Cutbush Lane, and home on the cycle paths alongside the new road to Winnersh.
Well done ladies! Martina's longest ride to date. And all still smiling at the end. Enjoy half term.
