East Meon to Hambledon & Lovedean - 26 miles 1923 feet

John fancied a Meon Valley ride today, so ebikes at the ready. 😉 After 4 days of Cotswold Hills, I should find this a lot easier than usual! 

Route link

We left East Meon by our normal route, uphill out the back of the village, soon passing this pretty valley on a bend,  where I am often tempted to stop for a photo. 

leaving East Meon

We also climbed up a steep hill we have done a few times now, which crosses the South Downs Way, up to Coombe. (Old Winchester Hill). The heavens opened ....almost hail stones! I didn't want to stop on the hill to put my jacket on, incase I couldn't get going again. But pulled over under a big tree as we crossed the road and where it flattened out.  The rain stopped, so never did bother putting jackets on. 

View from the corner of Annie Avenue looking to the Solent.

We saw loads of crop fields today, this one at eye level 

cyclists heading towards us where we stopped at the Wheat field.,

And there they go. Slightly up hill for them, and we now came whizzing down 

Udulations followed, but on the whole heading downhill into Hambledon.  We have been to the village cafe here several times, but have never approached from this direction, and for the first time, we actually came into the village. 

Arriving into Hambldon Village on Church Lane. 

Junction of West Street Hambledon

Left here to arrive at the Old Forge Tearoom. 

We only come here on a Sunday, and it's always busy!
(Tables inside had to be reserved today. Fathers Day treat?

Opposite the cafe. We will climb 17% Cams Hill shortly! 
Red power and lowest gear needed or you are off!!

At a X Roads at the top of Cams Hill, we usually go right or straight, but today's route went left into Hoe Street, so new territory now. All very nice but hedges too tall this time of year to get any decent views. We continued south, via "Martin's Corner", and into Bunns Lane. We joined a faster road called Shoot Hill, before turning into Commons Lane and turned left at this farm building into Beckford Lane. 

Left here into Beckford Lane.

A slightly messy lane, with sandy soil and gravel in patches, all a gradual up hill, before we doglegged over to Fareham Road, and turned into Uplands Road, passing this horse. 

Narrow Uplands Road.

The next few miles mostly straight on at any junctions,  following signs to Lovedean

Poppies on a  banking higher than head  height. 

John trying to get the perfect shot of the poppies. 

Another large field of Wheat opposite the poppies 

I think this is my favourite shot. "Poppies in the clouds" 

We then climbed, for I think 2.5 miles! Nothing too steep, but on and on it went, on North Lane,  and finally at the top, a view again to The Isle of Wight. My battery now over half used. 

At the top again at last. 

South Downs Way, just before we turned into the appropriately
named Harvesting Lane. . 

Harvesting Lane..... a really steep downhill. 

Harvesting Lane. A brave cyclist on the way up, in his lowest gear. 

A little further down, but a stubborn blanker of cloud now.

John heading down on Harvesting Lane.
My hands were aching holding the brakes on. 

At the bottom we turned here at "GIANTS Cottage" on Oxenborne Lane,
and just after this,  a flood to go through. But not deep. 

Views opposite Giants Cottage.

We joined Frogmore Lane all the way back to East Meon. Frogmore Lane was gloomy, under tree shade all the way. Not my favourite riding conditions. 

Pretty yellow doors on this thatch, High Street East Meon.

No rain, apart from the start of the ride, and a nice temperature in the end. We had taken a pasta picnic, so had that in the village car park before setting off for home.