This morning's ride started at Riseley, with one rider making her way by bike, and the rest of us drove to the start. There had been a lot of rain in the last 48 hours, and it showed, as we drove through Swallowfield, where it doesn't take much for the Blackwater River to burst its banks.
Route
Initially turning back on ourselves, we rode along School Road, then right into School Lane, around the edge of Wellington Country Park. Then a short stretch on the B3349 to turn left at the roundabout, and soon right into Laundry Lane. I was fully expecting this to be messy..... and it certainly was!
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| Laundry Lane Heckfield. What a mess. |
A dogleg out of Laundry Lane, and onto the unnamed road, which meets with Bottle Lane, at a green triangle of grass.
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The unnamed lane from Heckfield to Turgis Green.
A gloomy day, 12 degrees, but at least not raining and no wind either. |
A left turn into Hartley Wespall Lane, another messy lane, passing the pretty church. Then we turned right to head for Sherfield on Loddon. Through the village (ignoring the coffee shop!), we used Mill Lane continuing straight until we reached the 5 way Fair Oak cross roads.
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Approaching the Fair Oak junction, we ignored the Bramley sign taking second left
on Stratfield Saye Road. Still not brightening up. |
A right turn to avoid Bramley level crossing, over the railway bridge and sharp left, we soon enjoyed the long downhill on Cufaude Lane. Eventually we arrived in Chineham, where, immediately under a railbridge, we turned right to join the cyclepath system. We wiggled our way through, eventually joining Pyotts Hill. to drop down this quiet lane. A right turn at Barton's Lane to join another cycle path for a half mile or so, then we were on the look out for a road called Little Basing.
I had heard of a teastop here called
Teagether which only reopened recently after Covid restrictions. It's only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We arrived on pathway, into this pretty old courtyard of brick buildings. I guess in good weather they may set up some tables outside, but today we were very happy indoors anyway.
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Arriving at Teagether, Lychpit area of Chineham.
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Debbie, Sue P, Louise and me.
I had booked a table for 11 oclock and we arrived bang on time. 😊 |
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| Cherry Bakewell, which was delicious. Interesting plates too. |
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Biscotti Cake, with Italian cream topping.
I was told it was also delicious, as were the coffees and teas. |
We retraced our route back to Barton's Lane, then dropped down, into Old Basing, with a loop up behind the church onto Milkingpen Lane, passing Churn Close.
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| Milkingpen Lane, Old Basing |
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| Cowslip Cottage, Milkingpen Lane, Old Basing |
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| Milkingpen Lane, Old Basing |
A right turn at the end, then soon a right fork into Newnham Road. All very easy going along this road, straight most of the way, but as we pass over the Lyde River, there a couple of bends in the road, and a car behind seemed desperate to pass. We had ridden single file at times along this road, so that any traffic behind was free to pass, but as we approached these bends, I opted to ride two a breast to dissuade a car from passing. When I felt it was safe for them to pass I singled out once more.
As they passed, they slowed alongside me, with passenger window down shouting " Read your highway code" (a male passenger, with female driver). I responded telling him to read the highway code, and there was a rather heated debate whilst they drove alongside me, until they had to cut infront of me as a car approached. What an idiot. I don't understand why someone who clearly doesn't know the highway code, should find it appropriate to lecture me to read the highway code. Louise got the registration number, but since I am already chasing a report of dangerous driving I lodged with the police 4 weeks ago, I thought what is the point? They are not interested.
(I took the time to lodge a dangerous driving report online 4 weeks ago, following a Breeze ride in Hurst. It took me about 20 mins. My acknowledgement promised that I would hear within 5 days. I have since followed up with 2 letters of police negligence, one handed in personally and a second one online. I got a phone call 2 days ago from the Police complaints dept, and an email today from the Sergent I complained about... he will "get back to me". hmmm. ) The driver will of course deny all knowledge of an incident which happened 4 weeks ago, but the police assure me they will speak to him, and this will be noted on their records.
A left turn at Newnham crossroads, and soon we cut through Tyley Hall, before returning via Rotherwick, then past Dipley Mill. Everyone enjoyed the climb through Hazeley as usual. 😉
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| Cutting through Tilney Hall |
We turned into Ford Lane off Bramshill Road, and stopped for a moment as we passed Thatchers Ford. The water was pretty much up to road level, and signs that it had been across the road a few hours earlier. (I suspect Eversley Mill will be impassible today?)
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| Thatchers Ford. Where is the river? |
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| Almost back, as we pass Thatchers Ford, on Ford Lane. The water level receeding now. |
At Part Lane, Debbie left us turning right to ride home, as we turned left back to Riseley. Well done ladies. 31 miles for us, and therefore almost 45 for Debbie. We passed my hubby on his bike as we drove back on Swallowfield Road, and he told me he saw Debbie again not far from her home.
Bikes in need of a good wash!!
