It just happens to be my birthday today, and I officially became an OAP. One of my girlfriends informed me it stands for " Outrageously Active Person."😂😍
And so another Monday ride today, with just 3 of the Monday team this week. (Daphne off for half term family holiday and Linda just waved goodbye to her 3 weeks of family visitors. She said she was tired. 😉😪😪)
We met Dave at Mattingley Church and with no route to follow, we were aiming for Upton Grey. I took my new Action Camera (birthday present), to capture some on the go shots. A beautiful bright day, but with a very strong wind at times.
Route link
 |
Passing through West Green area.
We crossed over the M3 and rode through Winchfield and Dogmerfield to Crondall.
|
 |
| Crondall centre |
 |
And continued to Well Road.
(all gradual uphill for the next couple of miles)
|
 |
| Well Road as it finally flattened out.... for now. |
 |
| Well Road. Boys being boys. |
 |
| Well Road sheeps. |
We dropped down and up again, before arriving at the triangle in Well, and today we took the right fork, and down a big hill next towards Long Sutton. The wind was blowing the leaves up off the road!
 |
| Final climb to Well................ |
 |
| ... then a nice long downhill to Long Sutton. |
Straight on, crossing over Alton Road and into the quiet Ford Lane, which eventually meets Bidden Road.
 |
| Ford Lane joins Bidden Road, and now left to Upton Grey. |
 |
Upton Grey pond. Crocodile eating Trump!
(they have something different every Halloween) |
We sat inside for our cuppa, and Dave insisted on buying the cakes today. Thanks Dave. (he also helped himself to a HUGE piece of my Lemon Cake. 😉😂)
Climbing away from the shop, we followed the road to the left, as we were now heading towards Mapledurwell, via Tunworth. I was at the front, and surprised myself that I know this area now without a route to follow. 😇
 |
The Grim Reaper is always at this junction this time of year.
|
 |
| Tunworth Road. |
 |
| Longroden Lane, Tunworth |
 |
| Tunworth Road |
A couple of turnings and we dropped into Mapledurwell at the pond and continued through to Greywell Road junction. We normally cross the A30 at Millers Ark to slog up to Newnam X Roads, so for a change we took first left today to cross at Andwell. (these cows in the field at the corner of Andwell Lane. )
Across the A30 into Water End Lane, and I'm not sure I've ridden it in this direction before? (often the other way round). We joined Newnham Lane to climb to the Xroads and decided its not as steep as the alternative. Always cars following up the hill, but apart from that, no problem.
 |
| Approaching Tylney Hall, where this Willow looks almost spring like. |
Left now to ride through Tylney Hall, where there has recently been a huge Redwood cut down.
 |
Tylney Hall Golf course road. Can hardly notice a tree missing.
|
 |
| Tylney Hall golf course. |
Through Rotherwick and we are back to the start. We noticed that the Falcon pub has re opened after refurbishment. Wonder if they do coffee/cake?
A lovely "birthday" ride, and apart from the wind, beautiful weather.
