Mattingley to Crondall - 25 miles

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Having joined my Breeze ride yesterday, Jeannette was keen to ride on consecutive days as part of her Scotland training. I offered to join her, if she wanted some company. We drove to Mattingley for a loop to Crondall. I messaged my friend Monica who's house we would pass just short of the tea stop, to ask if she was free to meet up?

It was another grey day today, so not terribly photogenic. But I took a few snaps just for reference.

Route link

Parking in Mattingley

We rode via Rotherwick to Tyley Hall
Jeanette stopped to take a phone call approaching Rotherwick.
I noticed this woven fenceline on our left. 

We had a flood to go through on "Water End Lane"  just before the railway arch , heading down to cross the A30 dogleg into Andwell.  Once over the massive climb over the M3, 😂 we turned left heading to Up Natley. Then the long drag uphill to Greywell. 

Between Up Natley and Greywell. 

Once into Odiham, we rode around  via the Church, and out the other side of the town. I stopped to call Monica to give an ETA of 30 mins to get to Crondall.

Into Hillside, where at the Oast House, we turned right into the long winding, and messy Roke Lane. We met a tractor heading towards us, so had to dismount to pin ourselves to the roadside. Once passed the farm, the road improved a bit, not quite so mucky! It changes name to Itchnell Lane, and we pass Monica's House.

Itchel Lane, not far from Monica's house

Penn Croft Vineyard Cafe. Monica actually followed us in, as we arrived. 



A nice chat over drinks and Jeanette and I shared a Cinnamon bun thingy which was presumably from Old Basing Bakery since it was identical to the ones they sell there. 

A little cooler as we left for our second leg, but we soon warmed up again peddling through Crookham, and Dogermersfield. Over the M3 once more, and we passed some pretty blossom at the little industrial park on Taplins Farm Road, not far out of Hartley Wintney. 


Finally, through Phoenix Green, passing West Green Gardens, and a quick stop as you do, at Dipley Mill. 
Dipley Mill


My bike was by now making a horrible high pitched screeching noise from the front disk brakes. So annoying! The brake pad seems not quite straight or something, so once home. I gave it a good clean, then phoned the bike shop. Since John is going there this evening for a Wokingham Cycling Club maintenance evening, he will take it with him.  He may have to leave it with them of course, so ebike for me tomorrow! 😂

(John led a WCC ride to Henley today, with 2 riders he has not met before, so we hope that this might now be a semi regular offering if he gets some more interest. )