A Monday ride today, and just me and Linda B were free. Linda had a time constraint, so we caught a lift with John to Riseley and he continued to Mattingley for his ride with Dave. We weren't heading directly home of course, that would be too quick. I planned a route, adding a new loop on to familiar territory, AND a new tea stop to check out, called, Little Roses Coffee Shop part of Elm Park Garden Centre. Never been there, just found it on google.
Route
Initially, heading away from Riseley, we climbed Bull Lane, and dropped down Welsh Lane. It was COLD as we sped down the hill. Brrr. The first few miles of lanes seemed to be shaded from the sun by the hedges, so I was quite glad that the next few miles towards Bramley were a gradual climb. Linda, not so impressed maybe.😊
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Fair Oak Lane, skirting Stratfield Saye.
Blue skies, but shady lanes. |
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| A right turn now at the old barns, into Oliver's Lane, Bramley |
Once through Bramley we took the left turn, Vyne Road, which passes the NTrust property. It looked beautiful today, with sunshine and shade on the building as we shot past. A little of a more demanding incline not far after the Vyne, which then dips down and up again as we arrive in Sherbourne St. John. Left turn into Elm Road, then very soon right at this signpost towards Monk Sherbourne.
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| Right turn here to Monk Sherbourne |
The right turn into Cranes Road, bring us to a T Junction with the busy Aldermaston Road, A340. We turned right, and after just a few yards, a left turn into a lovely quiet lane, Monk Sherbourne Road. Right at the next junction into Salter Heath Road.
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| Salter Heath Road, as we leave Monk Sherbourne. |
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| Views from Salter Heath Road. |
If we stayed on Salter Heath Road, we would join the A340, so we take another left turn, passing the Priory School, and which swings into Ramsdell Road. Now we need to join the A340, but only for 100 yards to the Garden Centre, where "Little Rose Coffee Shop" is in the same area, but a separate building.
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| Great cafe, and outdoor seating for a warmer day too. |
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The cake test. Under duress, Linda agreed to share my slice of Victoria Sponge.
It passed the test. 😋 |
We retraced our route just a short distance, back to the Priory School, then turned right into Pamber Road. Then a right turn heading to Charter Alley, into Deans Lane.... which said Road Closed! oh dear. No idea where to go, but we continued, and got through no problem, passing this unusual timber shingle clad house, with its fountain in the pond.
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| Deans Lane, Charter Alley |
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Linda on Deans Lane, Charter Alley.
Road closed sign just ahead of her. |
At the next junction, a right into Church Lane, which I know I have cycled through in the opposite direction back in June, on my way to Aldermaston.
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| St Peters Church, Tadley. |
At the end of Church Lane, we are suddenly into surburbia once more, at New Lane Tadley, continuing to Pamber Heath and eventually into Wall Lane, Silchester. Familiar territory now as we drop down Clappers Farm Road and make our to way to Beech Hill to slog up our favourite climb over the A33. Then to Lamb's Lane, and through Swallowfield. We use Swallowfield Road, to the new road at Arborfield to climb over the new bridge. We decided to try the path on the opposite side to see if it was any easier... its not. Its a slog on that stupid surface they put down for "horses". What about cyclists!
Finally to the Arborfield Greenway, and California Park, where we parted company. I think Linda just about made it back in time for her deadline. I had one more climb up Blagrove Lane, and got home having ridden 37 miles.
Thanks for your company Linda. Didn't we do well? A pretty route with plenty of leafy lanes looking pretty still in the sunshine.
