I was assistant champ to Jill today, still waiting for my first aid assessment sign off, now happening at the end of September. (I hope). Today was the first morning that felt a tiny bit cool as I set off. Took my "sleeves" in my bag just incase, but didn't use them. Today is the last day of the Meteorological summer.. autumn starts tomorrow.
Jill's route was 15.5miles from FBC to Welly Farm Shop. Very nice to meet the very youthful Emma for the first time, who brought the average age down today by a substantial amount.😊 Also lovely to see Denise, whom I have not seen for months due to a busy summer for both of us.
Route
We set off via the California Greenway to Arborfield. When we crossed Commonfield Road to continue on the cycle path, I was quite shocked to see so much plant growth, restricting the width of the path by half. (note to council, Jill.... this needs maintained if it's meant to be a cycle route).
With a bus driver allowing us to go ahead at the roundabout next to the horse sculptures, he then followed us all the way to Sheerlands Road. He must have been muttering under his breath. 😁
Across the A327 to climb Bunces Shaw, Farley Hill, where we stopped for a quick drink and photo.
 |
Top of Bunces Shaw, Farley Hill.
|
Jill then asked if we had seen the Castle? Most had not, so a very quick detour to see it. Its a private drive at the Castle Gate, so a snap from as close as we were permitted.
 |
| Farley "Castle". Trees chopped down, but an ugly stump left behind. |
A fair bit of history of the Castle. A home, a school for pupils with special needs, bought by Berkshire County Council in 1966 - 1988. Then lay empty and stripped by a Peace Convoy from Greenham Common. Now redeveloped into 3 homes.
We split into 2 groups as we whizzed down Church Road, continuing into Swallowfield. As we approached the bridge, and the first group ahead, a fire engine came over the bridge towards us, blue lights flashing. Naturally we stopped for it to come through, but then it proceeded to turn around right next to us. And off it went back the way it came. Strange!
 |
| A three point turn at Swallowfield bridge. |
Next, all the way to the end on Part Lane, which as Amy found out, is a very gentle uphill. I remember I used to puff and pant up here. Straight over, and under the A33 bridge, and as we turned left onto Bull Lane, this burnt out car on the roadside. How very sad. I assume stolen and set alight just for fun.
 |
| Bull Lane, Riseley. |
 |
Camera perched on a handy cart for a group selfie as we park up at Welly Farm Shop.
Jill, Denise, Amy, Collette, Sandra, Kim, Emma and me. |
 |
| nice selection of cakes today. |
 |
| Farm shop views... standing on top of a hay bale.😊 |
 |
| photo by Jill |
Our planned return route was to be back down Part Lane, to School Road. So, I asked Jill if I might suggest an alternative? Just the third side of a triangle, to join up on School Road. Just beyond the A33 underpass, we took a right into Sun Lane, straight over into a narrow track, to then crossed the Odiham Road, and onto the Devils Highway. All nice and dry.
Through the forest track to Eversley Mill. Most ladies were ahead, but Jill stopped to take a photo of the last 3 of us crossing. Then behind Jill, a car, decided to drive through.
 |
| photo by Jill |
 |
| Really? This is not a 4x4. |
 |
When he got to the middle, the water was almost covering the wheels. Very foolish.
|
Since this wasn't a particularly long ride, I offered to extend a few miles if anyone was interested. So 3 said yes, and 3 went back with Jill to FBC. Denise has ridden from home, so quite a few extra miles anyway.
 |
| Saying farewell to Emma, Denise, Jill and Amy. |
The extended route took us back over the ford, through Eversley, and left at Eversley Cross to climb Longwater Road. Then nice and flat all the way along Lower Sandhurst Road, with just Ambarrow Lane to climb for a short distance. Rather than use the main road, we went straight over, and crossed the pedestrian railbridge, then a sharp left to ride on the track to Crowthorne Station.
 |
| An eye watching us as as cross the pedestrian railbridge at Ambarrow. |
 |
| Crossing the golf course and through Ravenswood to Nine Mile Ride. |
 |
| Through the gate at Ravenswood. Kim, Sandra and Collette who joined me for the extra few miles. |
Into Heathlands Road next, and onto the recently, and much improved track through Gorrick Woods. The track was great, but the old tarmac path which runs the last half mile or so to join Luckley Road is like a roller coaster ride. It's all over the place!
Sandra and Collette turned right here, to go home via Easthampstead Road, whilst Kim and I turned left to make our way home from Finchampstead Road.
Thanks to Jill for organising the ride, and to all the ladies for your good company. Some of you now off on more holidays, or back to work. Hope to see you on another ride soon.
