I swapped to lead my ride on THURSDAY this week since Jill was only free on Wednesday. It turned out to be the best day of the week with gorgeous blue skies, so I got lucky, since yesterday was gloomy and cold. (Just noticed this was my 150th ride I've led for Breeze.)
It's ages since I've ridden to Hartley Witney. I fancied trying a variation on the normal route, but this did make the ride a few miles longer, close to 30, rather than 25. (Starting at FBC, so another 7 miles on top riding from home). My ride filled up initially with 5 riders keen to join me, but over the last few days, for a variety of reasons, 3 ladies had to cancel. So it was just me with 2 riders, which is fine with me! Cathy W has not ridden with Breeze for ages due to work, and Diane, a relatively recent Breeze rider also joined me. I did meet her a couple of weeks ago.
I was horrified to see my neighbour spray his windscreen this morning due to ice, so was cautious on my way to FBC, but it was fine. The temperature was due to rise soon to 6 degrees and higher as the day progressed. (we finished in 9 degrees today).
Route link (photo of route at end)
We left FBC and very soon climbed White Horse Lane, where I took this first photo of the day.
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| 9.30 as we climbed White Horse Lane. Looking like a beautiful day. |
For a bit of variation, we then dropped down Fleet Hill, through Finchampstead to Eversley. It wasn't busy at all, so that worked well. From Eversley, we turned into Warbrook Lane.
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| Warbook Lane and the light was catching the trunks of the pine trees. (nose blow stop! )😑 |
Less than half a mile on Bramshill Road, then left into Plough Lane to Hazeley Heath. As we enjoyed Plough Lane in this direction, I admitted that we would be coming back this way later. (But then turn off towards Swallowfield, not Eversley.) We passed about 10 cyclist just about to climb up the hill, with a car right behind them.... why? Just let it pass!!
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| Views at The Mutton pub. (Excellent meal there recently) |
As we approached West Green, we turned into Borough Court Road. I've only ridden this is in the opposite direction a couple of times. Its a lovely lane, skirting the back of West Green Gardens, and with absolutely no traffic this morning. After a couple of miles, we jumped on the footpath for a short section alongside the A30, then crossed into Totters Lane.
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| Totters Lane railbridge. |
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| Totter Lane railway bridge, with camera set up for a selfie of the group. |
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| Bagwell Lane, when I realised I had lost my camera (phone shot) |
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| Bagwell Lane.... shouting at Diane and Cathy to come back! (phone shot) |
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| Totters Lane. If only I had taken this photo ealier, I would have realised I had lost my camera. |
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| Diane dropping down from Totters Lane railbridge. |
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| Followed by Cathy. |
So back through the flood for the THIRD time, and eventually we reached Winchfield Church on Bagwell Lane. We spent a few minutes admiring the pink Cyclamen and Snowdrops.
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| Bright pink Cyclamen at Winchfield Church |
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| Empty cake plates, since we arrived after they had closed. |
BUT, as well as our tea, we were offered flapjacks or brownies, so we were fine. PHEW. Nearly had a mutiny on my hands.
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| Opposite St John's Church, Hartley Wintney |
We wiggled our way out of HW, and our return route, passing West Green Gardens, brought us back to Hazeley, with the the couple of hills to climb that we had come down this morning. Everyone made it up the 11% climb at Bramshill, and with that over, we could enjoy the gentle downhill on Ford Lane contining to Swallowfield.
Our final climb was over Farley Hill, and back to Finchamstead on the new Nine Mile Ride Extension, on it's super smooth paths.
Well, I am pretty knackered, so well done to Diane who, thanks to my lost camera, totaled around 35 miles today, and Cathy around 40 to get home. I did 43. We all really enjoyed the ride, and the weather was just stunning.
