Breeze FBC to Bramley - 30 miles

I decided a couple of weeks ago, that I would stop offering longer rides until it warms up....I failed already. 😂 But despite the coolish weather, 6 degrees,  the ride was full until last night, when unfortunately one lady had to cancel due to work commitments. Rose assisted today, so we were 7 in total. Jeanette and I rode  together from Woosehill to FBC picking up Louise enroute, and met the others there.  Nice to see Julie again on a ride, who had come from Maidenhead. 

Route link screen shot at end

Kim led for the first half mile or so,  showing us a little cut through to California roundabout, by using Billing Avenue. Our route then into Finchampstead Road to take the right turn to Church Lane, up to Finchampstead Church. A nice downhill now for most of the  way on Fleet Hill into Eversley. We did this in two groups, as far as Warbrook  Lane. 

Two groups once more as we rode along Bramshill Road, to the right turn in to Ford Lane, and then we could feel a bit more sociable.  So far the lanes had been reasonable, but I guessed that Ford Lane was going to be messy.... which it was.  It was fine as we passed the ford, and I thought great... no problem, but in the next 100yards, our first flood of the day. I earned by bravery badge by going first.  (Not like me at all!).😇😂

Too late with my camera, as the last rider, Amanda, passes me after the
flood on Ford Lane.(strictly speaking its now called Part Lane after the ford)

Looks like the flood was bigger a couple of days ago. 

In Risely, we used Bull Lane under the A33, then stayed on Bull Lane at the top, turning right, to go through our next flood just before we dropped downhill to Stanford End. What a mess.  An easy few   miles now around the Stratfield Saye Estate, where the flood area which has been a problem for years,  seems to have been fixed. Green Lane next to join Mortimer Road. 

A little rise coming up on Mortimer Road, soon to arrive at the the 5 way
"Active Tots"or Fairoak Junction.

Mortimer Road. Lovely winter trees against the gloomy skies. 

Over the railbridge and a sharp left into Minchens Lane, leading into Bramley. 

Minchens Lane, Bramley, and one of several houses
around the area with these distinctive windows. 

Minchens Lane, Bramley..

When I stopped for that last photo,  I decided to also take off my glove liners since I was feeling too warm. By the time I got to the junction, the group had continued, which was fine, but I suddenly realised, that my route which I had shared,  just continued PASSED the coffee stop, and since none of them had been before, they didn't know where it was.😄. So I shot along the next section, and thankfully some temporary lights had held them up through Bramley. 

Inside the Barn coffee shop.

We placed our orders and the waiter repeated it all to us. It gave me the daft idea of playing the memory game similar to "when I went shopping I bought...."

So , we had a round of "When I went to The Barn, I had an Apple Cake, a Christmas Pigs in Blankets, a bacon bap, a Flap Jack, a "nothing", another "nothing"  and finally a sausage bap. Christmas party game number one done. 

Christmas Pigs in Blankets

Sausage Bap.

Jeanette, Louise, Kim, Amanda T, Julie, Rose and Me.

We left The Barn, and now continued to Bramley Corner, and soon into Church Lane, to climb to Silchester Church. Messy, as expected, but I don't think any floods. At Silchester Church, we are at the top for now, so enjoyed the downhill to soon turn into Park Lane and over the railway, to link to Mortimer Lane again, but now in the opposite direction. 

A van had come down  Part Lane, as as we went up, and a huge fridge freezer was dumped on the road, so that cars would have to go on the grass verge to pass it. The strange thing was, there were no tyre marks, and yet that van had just come down, so we recon HE had just dumped it!

2.5 straight miles now to Beech Hill to climb over the A33 to Lambs Lane, and  more messy lanes to Swallowfield. Finally over Farley Hill, and back via Hogwood area to join Nine Mile ride. Lots of school kids walking/cycling at 1.20.... they had a half day.... which unfortunately meant the at Nine Mile Ride as very busy with traffic. That was not expected at this time of day! 😡

All safely back to FBC via California Park, and where we left 4 riders  who had driven to the start.

Well done ladies and thankyou for coming out on this coolish day. I hope you enjoyed the route.  I  HAD to wash my bike when I got home, since on it's next outing it will be decorated with tinsel for our Christmas ride!

(Jeanette and I did 38.5 miles.. not exactly short, but back well before dark>)