I'm just back from cruising in Croatia, so in need of some exercise to start shifting the extra pounds!
(John was our with Dave today for the first time in many months, since he was unwell. They went to SOL)
I recently discovered that a cafe had opened at Aldermaston Wharf, so had been waiting for a summer's day to repeat much of a route we rode last year to Aldermaston, but returning a slightly different way. Today seemed like a good day to go. Unfortunately only the half the team were free. Gill enroute to Ibiza to a wedding (!), Martina busy with family, and Louise cycling today with friends from Oxford. Jeanette was coming, then this morning decided her back was too painful. (I can sympathize since mine is also not great atm.) BUT she decided to meet us for coffee (which turned out to be lunch).
Lynne and Andrea rode to my house, where we loaded up Andrea's NEW ORO bike. Lovely. Same colour as Gill's. This was her first ride, so a good test to see what she thinks of it.
We started at Silchester Church car park, round the walls, through Pamber Heath, and eventually to Tadley. Into Church Lane, leaving traffic behind and where we stopped after the climb to the church for a breather and drink.
Route link
 |
| Tadley Church, Church Lane |
 |
| And a little further along Church Lane. Nature break, where I was joined by a male cyclist!😄 |
 |
| The impressive Tadley Place, still on Church Lane. |
 |
| And almost at the end of Church Lane is Baughurst church. |
 |
We fork right into Wolverton Townsend, then leaving Baughurst behind,
we turned right into Ham Lane. |
 |
| Right here into Ham Lane. |
 |
| And after a few bends, we come to Ham Farm house. |
 |
| The impressive thatched stables of Ham Farm House. |
 |
Only vague memories of this next part of the route, from Axmanford
to Ashford Hill. The others didn't remember it either.
|
We could just have stayed on Ashford Hill road, but it has some traffic, so our route loops left through a Hamlet of Pastow Green riding on Galley Lane, then into Commons Road where this house is on the corner.
 |
| Turn right at this house into Common Road, which eventually rejoins Ashford Hill Road. |
A little rise on Ashford Hill Road, and then I recognise the right turn with a signpost to a FORD, into Thornford Road.
 |
Thornford Road, Nr Headley. Nice views before the steep drop down to the ford.....
with the steep climb away from the ford, to dogleg across a main road (also Thornford Road) |
 |
| It's uphill from here! |
I knew from last time that we had a steep section now up to Greenham Common. It was 14% on my Garmin! That's tough, but I made it. Andrea clicked her gears the wrong way, and lost momentum unfortunately, but soon recovered. Next time!
 |
Greenham Common. I was considering a potter here today, but we were already late to meet
Jeanette. I phone her from here at 11.40. |
 |
| here comes Andrea, and Lynne not far behind. Well done ladies. |
We are at the high point now for a while, and enjoyed the easy next few miles dropping into Brimpton, then a left turn dropping further to soon leave the road at some traffic lights to nip onto the K&A Canal path.
 |
| Team Oro. And now under the road bridge to head to Aldermaston Wharf. |
 |
| We crossed several bridges swapping sides of the canal. |
 |
| And eventually, we reached Aldermaston Wharf, and straight over here to the cafe.. |
 |
Poor Jeanette had been waiting some time for us and her back not too good.
but she sketched her teapot. (Forgot to see the sketch!) |
 |
| It was 12.30ish, so we opted for lunch. Sandwiches and Paninis on offer. Very tasty. |
Last time, we returned via Upton Nervet, but I checked out a road on Google street view that looked nice and quiet, called Silver Lane, at Padworth. It looked FLAT on google maps! lol. It wasn't. Two big undulations down, then up, but a lovely lane.
 |
| Passed this in Padworth, then into more scenic countryside. |
 |
| Silver Lane. |
Eventually, we emerged to cross over Burghfield Road, and soon dropped down passing The Red Lion Pub, and UP again to Wall Lane, Silchester.
 |
| Wall Lane Silchester. The blackberries not far away from ripening. |
 |
Just a few yards from the car park, I met ROSE! And her hubby, daughter and pooch.
(she is riding with me next week.)
She was taking them to the Pop Up Cafe which was at with Breeze this week. |
Nice to go somewhere different and the weather was perfect. Thanks for your company ladies. And the verdict on the new bike? She loves it!! 😊 Knew you would Andrea. Enjoy.
