Sunday ebike ride, and we started at our usual spot in Bradfield. John was testing his new Stolen Goat layers which he bought yesterday at Mountain Trax, and which he was promised would be sufficient to feel "toastie". One base layers and new jacket. Would they work on this chilly 5 degree starting temperature? We both had our winter gloves on.
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| Looking like a great day as we set off from Dark Lane, Bradfield |
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We only saw one horse rider on our route today,
but plenty in the fields of the equestrian area. |
We had no Garmin route to follow today, all in John's head. I was very familiar with much of the start and end, but a bit vague in the middle.
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| Southern loop first through Buckleberry and Hermitage. |
Route |
Pretty winding lane and views towards Stanford Dingley, where we cross over
and continued to Buckleberry Ford.
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Buckleberry Ford, looking pretty full after a very dry summer last year.
We didn't cross the ford today, but followed the River Pang, passing the pig place, then first left on an unnamed road, which joins the main Marlston Road, and we climbed to pass the private school. I had quick look at the church, just off to our left. |
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Marlston church with a Cockerel weather vane.
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| Views opposite the church |
We continued straight on, passing Wellhouse Lane on our right, which we sometimes ride to get to Frilsham. The road climbs here, so a bit of power is handy, and we eventually arrive in Hermitage. Left, and then soon right at a mini roundabout, and the familiar road which crosses the M4 and A34, and we arrived in Chieveley. Leaving the village, a left turn on Northfields, and now we are heading for Peasemore.
Peasemore has a tall church spire, and we have been here a few times, but from different directions, so I had no idea where the church would be as we arrived! On our left or right?
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A brief stop on this bend on our approach to Peasemore.
We saw the couple approaching again later, in Hamstead Norreys. 😄 |
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| Arriving in Peasemore with these thatches on our right. |
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Peasemore church on our left as we arrived, and now
we turned right signposted East Ilsley |
We followed the road around and soon dropped down steeply on Peasemore Hill. I could see what was coming, so switched my power on, dropped to my small chain, and passed John on a steep uphill bend, as his bike came to a halt, and chain off. This was a new section, and he was not quite prepared! 😉
Next we came to the B4494. turned left, then first right to climb on Brightwalton Holt, to Brightwalton. Green and Brightwalton.
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| views along Brightwalton Holt. |
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We arrived from the road on the left in the photo,
then straight on at this junction. (Left would have led us to Chaddleworth) |
Through Brightwalton, where during Covid times, we had our snack in the churchyard. With views to a distant Farnborough church on the hill to our right, we had a gradual climb to join the B4494. The wind had picked up! It was a N/E today, and chilly.
Right at the junction, heading downhill fast to the sharp left fork to the Saddleback Cafe. It's part of the Honesty group. It was packed! We have been here many, many times, and hardly seen anyone else here. The farm shop was busy, and lot of cyclists arrived just after us too.
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| Bit too chilly to sit out today. The wind had picked up! |
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| Deer on the hillside at the cafe. They are a regular site here. |
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| Polenta cake was delicious. |
Previously, we had now either climbed towards Farnborough Church, or else in the opposite direction from where we just came, if doing a reverse route. So, I was a bit disorientated when we went back to the main road, to drop further on the B4494, then turned left at a 4 way junction. We climbed on Sheep Leaze Lane, towards Stanmore. Certainly used power again, since it went on for a while. (John reminded me that we had come down this hill with Daphne. Doesn't look the same on the way up!)
I have checked past blogs, and I have not come down this section of the B4494 before, to turn left. We have gone back to Bright Walton and looped around to cross over at the 4 way junction. Just saying 😂
Sheep Leaze Lane, becomes Hailey Lane, and finally on a bend in Stanmore, changes again to Stanmore Road. We continued and some lovely views just before we arrived in Beedon.
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| Stanmore Road just before arriving in Beedon. |
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Stanmore Road just before arriving in Beedon.
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I recognised the old barn as we arrived in Beedon,
but often it's been the opposite direction. Right here for a short
detour to the church. |
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| Beedon Church, also with a Cockerel weather vane. |
As we arrived on the outskirts of Worlds End, a left turn and under the A34, and soon a familiar tree that John has photographed a few times. (A pair of husband and wife fir trees he calls them.) This is an unnamed road, and he is convinced I will know the way from here to Hampstead Norreys. Nope! A left turn on a bend, and then I realised this is the fast drop down to Hampstead Norreys. We joined the B4009 through the village, where the village shop was on our right, and closed at 12.30 on Sundays.
I know where I am, as we take the Yattendon Road to climb to Yattendon. A few cars coming up the hill, so we pulled over to allow them to pass, opposite this driveway.
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| Part way up the hill on Yattendon Road. |
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Same spot on Yattendon Road.
John wearing his new colourful jacket. |
Through Yattendon, and we continued to Scratchface Lane, then on Back Lane once more to the van.
Was he warm enough. "Just about", he said.
