Riseley to Pamber End via Ibworth - 30 miles

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Steve has now gone part time so has joined our Monday club, along with Kim.  Sadly Daphne is unwell and may be out of action for a few more weeks. Linda is joining us again from next Monday, building up gently after her ski accident. (we're all falling apart!). But today we were 5 with Dave also free.

We arranged to meet at Riseley, although we doubled back on our drive there on Swallowfield Road with lots of horse boxes heading to the Swallowfield Show. (Bank Holiday Monday).

Garmin Route screenshot at end

It felt quite cool as we whizzed down Chequers Lane, after weeks of warm weather, but very welcome.

We headed to Bramley and then into Vyne Road, so all very easy with just a little rise as we approached Sherborne St John, and where Kim, Dave and myself stopped for a quick recovery, and water.  

Views on Vyne Road

Vyne Road, and Kim's jacket coming off
after our little rise. 

We always stop at this pond for a couple of mins, in
Sherbourne St John. (the pond where Kim's helmet floated off one time !😄)

Kim with her helmet well and truly attached to her head. 😉

Deep in conversation, at the pond. 

A dogleg on the busy Aldermaston A340, and soon we branched off to the left (Charter Alley would be straight on), for a gradual climb of about  a mile or more, passing All Saint's Church on Rookery Farm Road.   This eventually comes to a junction with the A339, where we crossed straight over, heading to Wooton St Lawrence. 

Kim was ahead chatting to John telling him that last time we
passed here there was a funeral.  lol.  Wrong church, wrong village!
(Tadley Church is where that was)

We emerged from the left, to now join Ibworth Lane
into Wooten St Lawrence. 

It's a climb for a couple of miles, but never steep, to Upper Wooten and to Ibworth, then a huge downhill back to cross over the A339 once more.

Dropping down from Ibworth to the A339, where we dogleg
once more, and continue with a downhill to Ramsdell X Roads. 

Views from LLoyds Lane, which changes it's name to Ewehurst Road
then crosses over into Monk Sherborne Road, at Ramsdell.

We rode past Charter Alley Stores, where a HUGE group of cyclists had taken over the place, so just as well that we were heading to "Little Roses Coffee Shop", at Pamber End.

The cafe was empty today! It's normally packed, and we sat outside where it was a bit blowy and a few spots of rain threatened but came to nothing. 

At first glance I thought Kim has spiky hair. 

It's all been too easy for a few miles, so now we climb through Little London, then into Frog Lane, and beyond to Bramley Road, to cross Clappers Farm Ford.  We all peddled through today since not much water.
Final few miles on familiar lanes of Park Lane over the railway, then to Green Lane back to Stratfield Saye and finally up Barge Lane to  Bull Lane, Riseley. 

A nice route, which I haven't done some of for ages. Thanks all for your company. 

Daphne, if you are reading this, we all wish you well and hope to see you back on your bike soon.