Having just returned from a very hot week cycling in Bordeaux, Linda and I set off from Silchester in 15 degrees, which was bliss! Just the two of us today, as Daphne is off on another holiday.
I had ridden this route once before, but on reading my old blog, I was with Daphne and Cathy (not Linda), so no wonder she doesn't remember it! 😆. Whereas I had ridden this route once before, but it was in winter, and everything looked so different today... apart from the hills. So most of it seemed new to me as well. 😉 (Linda has ridden the route with me starting at Mattingley which is quite different).
Route
Cycling around Wall Lane, Silchester, we turned left at the junction, then kept right heading to Aldermaston Soke. At the roundabout at the end of Soke Road, a left then right dogleg, and I was expecting to turn right into a quiet lane called Raghill. Instead, my Garmin route was pointing straight on, continuing on Red Lane into Aldermaston. I have definitely not ridden this section before, but just went with the Garmin anyway. It was a bit of an uphill, but once I spotted the church I recognised where we were. (Had we turned right into Raghill, then left into Spring Lane, this would have rejoined Red Hill close to the church,and would have avoided the busier road.)
A lovely display of yellow just beyond the church in Aldermaston, and this house opposite, where nature was definatley taking over.
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| Arriving in Aldermaston, opposite the church |
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| Just weeds, but colourful |
We dropped into Aldermaston, and turned left into Wasing Road, following it all the way to the end, then a left turn to climb up to Brimpton, on Back Lane.
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| Views from Back Lane, approaching Brimpton |
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| And a little further on, a splash of red. |
Crossing over the B3051, we soon turned right into Inhurst Lane, which I didn't recognise at all! We passed this property with an unsual wooden carving in the front , as well as some pink poppies.
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| "Aid memoir" for Inhurst Lane, is this strange carving in the front of Haughurst House. |
Taking a right turn into Wolverton Road, I felt sure I hadn't been here before either, but as we turned left into Ham Lane, Axmansford, I soon screeched to a halt as I spotted "Snowdrop Cottage", which I photographed last time, in winter. SO, I HAD been here before.😅
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| Snowdrop Cottage, with its very full cottage garden. |
We also passed Ham Farmhouse which I recognised too. Next, a left then right into Stoney Heath, with this pretty house nestled in amongst the trees.
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| Stoney Heath. |
Right into Baughurst Road, then at a Xroads, with Ramsdell Church on the left, (I knew this!), we turned into Ewhurst Road. The name changes to Lloyds Lane, and this is the point on the route where a nature stop is possible.😉
After our climbing, a long section of downhill next, into Upper Wooton, and to Wooton St Lawrence.
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| Wooton St Lawrence church, where we now turn left. |
We turn left again, then soon cross back over the busy A339 Kingsclere Road, heading to Monk Sherbourne.
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| Views to our right as we head down toward Monk Sherbourne. |
We continued straight on Salters Heath Road, turning left into Priory Link and passing the Priory School on our right. Following the curving lane, we turned left on the main road at Pamber End, where the garden centre, and Rose's Coffee shop is on the right after 100 yards.
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| Nice and warm now for sitting outside at Rose's. |
Back tracking the 100 yards on the main road, a left turn into Bramley Road, then left again to climb through Little London, on Silchester Road. Right into Frog Lane, then left into Ash Lane, then another Bramley Road. (there are a lot of Bramley Roads around here! Gets confusing!!). Eventually left into Clappers Farm Road, to cross the ford. Linda feeling brave..... whilst I held the camera.
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| Clappers Farm ford. |
Final slog uphill to Silchester and back to the church carpark. Very nice ride, with plenty of downhill sections..... which followed the uphill sections.
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