What a change from last week's sunny rides. Mist and gloom today on my ride from Odiham to Oakhanger with Daphne and Linda. (John and Dave rode home instead via Greywell to Andwell and saw no mist!)
Route link
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| Dropping out of Odiham on Long Lane, we couldn't see much at all |
It was a little cool, with dampness in the air, but by the time we climbed to Well, funnily enough it didn't feel cool at all.😓
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| Liked the colours of the fern amongst all the other gloom. |
We climbed up and down, as you do, passing through Lower and Upper Froyle, by which time Linda actually requested a stop to remove her teeshirt. (she had 2 layers on). From Upper Froyle, we dropped down to the Hen & Chicken to dash over the A31, and over the little bridge over the River Wey. I warned them that the lane beyond the bridge is pretty awful with potholes. It's been relaid with new tarmac!! Bliss.
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| Continuing our gradual climb away from the River Wey, the mist was not improving much. |
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| That time of year for cobwebs everywhere. |
We passed through Wyck, and East Worldham, and I always forget that we come to a Tjunction with the B3004, (Caker Lane) and dogleg over now towards West Worldham.
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| It's getting worse! |
At West Worldham, the little ascent through a lovely old tree tunnel, and where the road continues on a left bend, climbing up to Hartley Mauditt. (Not far after this is the fishing lake opposite HM Church). Then our next cheeky climb up to a green triangle, before the 1.8 mile drop downhill into Oakhanger, passing the big "golf balls. "
Right at the junction and Chocolate Frog less than 1/2 mile. This guy was asking about our route. He works in Unit 6 and the company build custom bikes. He asked if we would like to look? I said not this time. Last thing I need is a new bike!
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| This pretty house on the left part way up Sickle Road, Wheatley. |
We regrouped at the top, and turned left towards Bistead. Linda and Daphne have not come up Sickles Road before. (The alternative is to climb straight over the main road, and arrive facing Bistead Church). Both need a bit of effort!
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| Interesting building on The Street, Bistead, before we soon turn right at the X roads. |
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Opposite the above photo.
A large yellow house on the left through the gate looks like a hay stack.😉 |
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| From Bistead, it flattens out now as we head towards Isington |
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| From Bistead, looking ahead, the view is to the Froyle area. |
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| We enjoyed the long drop down to cross the River Wey once more at Isington Mill. |
Through Bentley, and into School Road, only to find a very large lorry blocking out route, so we back tracked and used Church Lane, which rejoins our route on Hole Lane. Quite a cheeky climb up Church Lane.
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| The flat part of Church Lane as we soon join Hole Lane, Bentley. |
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| And we all know whats coming next! |
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| Just need to get up over that hill to join a downhill. |
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Always enjoy this view as we join Well Lane. Crondall to the right,
although the sign is pretty knackered. Vines ahead? |
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| A closer zoom in. A Vineyard. |
As we turned off Well Lane, before reaching Crondall, there are come pretty cottages, and today we did a tiny detour to take a closer look. The garden was very colourful at this one. There is a very strange bit of wall just next to the front door.
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| Cottages on Swanthorpe Lane, nr Crondall |
Just about 5 miles to go, and into the long Itchel Lane, then Roke Lane passing Barry and Monica's house, and finally up Cemetery Hill back into Odiham.
It was forecast to rain at 2pm. It did actually rain heavily as I reached Barkham. 😏
A challenging ride of 2000 feet, and one which Daphne has called a "Yes we can" Ride. Absolutely. We just did. Well done team. Have a lie down.
Enjoy your holidays ladies.
