I planned the route today, and since it's been so dry for so long, included a number of tracks to ring the changes to the route. Also a couple of roads I hadn't done before. Kim had hoped to join us today, but had a fall from her bike on Saturday so a bit bruised and sore. 😟 Daphne off gallavanting somewhere again, and Dave not free either. So, a good opportunity for lots of photo stops today. And since John is going to borrow my Osmo action camera when he is riding in Provence soon, I suggested he practice today, to make sure he is familiar with it. So a few "bottom shots" of me today. Another film to make 😂.
Our route started through the woods to Saddlers End, to join the Hall Farm estate crossing the ford.
Route link screen shot at end.
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| left here to cross the first ford of the day to Halls Farm, but first I photographed this little house.  |
Tudor House.
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| crossing the ford bridge |
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| Halls Farm Sheds. |
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| John in his spring outfit today. |
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A mother's meeting! Arborfield church spire to the right.
 Beautiful light on the brook today.  Soon a whizz down Brookers Hill to then turn left onto Hyde End Road, to cut through on a track to Ryeish Green Sports Hub, emerging in Spencers Wood. We joined Beech Hill Road, and took the right turn into Cross Lane, heading for Wokefield Park.  trees in flower.   just before we head into Wokefield Park. As we emerged from Wokefield Park, we normally either turn left to Mortimer, or right towards Grazeley. But today.... straight over at the Y junction into Lockram Lane. I came DOWN this road years ago, but not sure I've ever been UP it. Its a fast downhill to cross Lockram Brook, but a not so fast uphill once over it. But not difficult at all. And we discovered a beautiful view, so stopped for some photos.  the flat section before it drops down, then up!  John heading down the hill on Lockram Lane.  View to our left. The light was beautiful.  The road ahead climbs gradually. Where is John?  Found him, just a few yards from where I had stopped.    Just a few yards further ROAD CLOSED sign. 😕😖. Not only that, some additional hand written signs saying " It really is closed... not joking". So we ignored that and continued up the hill. At the top, where my route was to join a section of Goring Lane to go left, there were barriers across the whole road. To our side, there was a bridal path, so we took that instead hoping to emerge a bit further along to get back on our route.  We were able to join our route taking us onto Hollybush Lane to climb to Sulhampstead Abbots X roads. Then a bit of a loop on a lane I don't think either of us had ridden before, called Green Lane. Beautiful quiet lane, which swings around to join Camp Lane, and eventually we wiggle our way into Mortimer.  Honesty in full flower.  the new Bracken emerging.   Delicous Honey, Lavender and Almond Cake at Mortimer Bistro cafe. We sat inside to start with, since no seats outside were free, but it was very noisy! So when we spotted a table outside had come free, dashed outside. As we were about to leave, a local, with a walking stick, was looking for a seat, so I suggested he join us. Poor man had severe anemia. To Turk's Lane next where I stopped near the bottom for this photo of the farm on the corner. Bocas Farm?   Pitfield Road, looking towards Silchesrer, as we turn left to climb Park Lane.  When we reached Beech Hill, a turn off onto Wood Lane which changes from road to track. I had only ever ridden once about 5 years ago. After about a mile it goes under the A33.   (Google search.. this is 17th century Beech Hill house, and grade II listed. Now apartments )   And now about a mile of good track to take us under the A33, emerging on Lambs Lane.  We cross the "green bridge" on Kingsbridge Lane then through Swallowfield.  Up AND down Farley Hill to Arborfield Cross, where we disappeared into The Coombes.   Once we reached Bearwood Road (closed for months!), we turned into Highland Avenue, to join tracks through Fox Hill to Dorset Way. Quite an adventure off road today! 10mph overall, which is pathetic, but for the conditions, it was pretty good! 😎 ( Might suit a Breeze ride, so need to remember to do it whilst its all nice and dry.)  |
