We have not used our e bikes for a few weeks, so took them out today to start a ride from Odiham. Jodi had used my e bike a few days ago, so we got the saddle back to the correct height, but also changed the handle bar reach a little. We had only gone a couple of hundred yards up the hill from the start when I dipped into a deep pot hole, a horrible noise, nearly came off, and my handlebars dropped down with the force of the thump!
Route link (photo of map at end)
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| Typical cottage as we climb away from Odiham Canal |
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| Resetting and tightening the handle bars after a whack from a pothole! |
We left Odiham, on the Long Sutton Road, continuing the climb to Well... which is why ebikes are useful on this route. It's a bit of a slog otherwise, although I've done it a few times. From Well, a right turn to the Froyles.
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| Tractor on the hillside in Lower Froyle. Lots of crops now harvested. |
We crossed the busy A31 at our usual place at The Hen and Chicken, followed by the climb away from the River Wey. Normally, at the first Xroads, we go straight over (in the direction of Wyck, possible continuing to Upper Farringdon). But today, we turned right at this first XRoads, London Road, which heads downhill towards Holybourne, and
under the A31, arriving at "Cookoos Corner."
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| Views through a gap on the London Road, heading down to Holybourne. |
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| Not often we see a PIG as a weather vane. |
I noticed early on, that my "battery power " on my ebike had already gone from white to green. This is not good news! It can't have been fully charged. With a fair bit of climbing to do, I therefore had to conserve the power to when I really needed it. 😓 And most of it so far is continuing up hill.
The route continued from Holybourne into Alton, through the town, then a wiggle on a cycle route avoiding the main roads, including us jumping on a fooptath to navigate the A31 roundabout. John had done this once before, so knew to expect it.
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| Using narrow overgrown footpaths to get around the A31 roundabout near Chawton. |
I've not been to Chawton before, and John only once, to a teashop called Cassandras, opposite Jayne Austins House. (turns out her sister was called Cassandra). Chawton is a very pretty village.
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| One of the lovely houses as we arrive in Chawton. |
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| Next door to Jayne Austin house entrance. |
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| Cassandras Cup is open 7 days! A useful one for Mondays then. |
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But we decided to peddle a little further to Chawton House, since you
can go in to the cafe, without paying for the house/garden. |
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| Archway leads to cafe courtyard. |
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Start of Chawton Park Road.
I had done this in reverse with Jeanette a few years ago, so knew it as was all going to be uphill! |
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| It becomes a messy muddy track for a bit, but after about half a mile, better tracks. |
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| Better paths now, but all still up hill. |
Once we emerged out of the forest tracks, it was a nice long downhill, Red Hill, with a right turn into Row Downs Road, towards Medstead. This was the high point, for a while at least.
Continuing straight, we crossed over the A339 at Herriad, continuing all the way to Weston Patrick, and Upton Grey. Arriving with the pond on our left. I think I finally have this in my head now😉
We climbed away from Upton Grey, passing the shop and the Manor house, and then joined the road to Greywell.
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| Views from Upton Grey Road heading towards Greywell. |
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Cattle right in the middle of Greywell village. Not noticed them before,
But a local lady told me they are here for a few months each year.
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Almost back, and the usual final slog into Odiham. Power now on Orange Battery life, so I could afford to use it to make the last couple of miles easy. Lovely route and perfect weather.
