Not Winchester - Ride Report 'A' Group Wednesday 27 May 2026

 

I say 'A' group but actually, there were two 'A' groups today, although it is still true that neither went to Winchester!    As with previous Wayfarer's rides from New Haw at about this time of year, I tried to make my life as complicated as possible by offering a route to a lunch stop in deepest Hampshire, then two options, a 'turnback' route to Ripley, and an alternative continuing further west (previously to Winchester, but this year, just for a change, to the distinctly un-medieval Basingstoke) for a train-assisted return!

Steve D very gamely offered to lead the turnback option this year, and did so very ably (many thanks to him).   Of his group's experiences he writes as follows.   I knew it would be a hot day and packed a thermos which fits in one of my bottle holders and a normal water bottle. Setting off from New Haw day centre with Gill, Neil W, Janice, Guy and Peter S, we rode the route which more or less followed the railway line from West Byfleet to Hook. Sometimes we were south of it and sometimes north. One of the peculiar features of a Dave W route is that you cannot really pinpoint where you are. At times you know you are near Woking or Fleet or Farnborough, but are never really sure. Guy sustained a rear puncture which he fixed deftly and by plugging a hole in his tyre with a piece of toothpaste tubing, at Hook Heath during which we were passed by the first group. I have to say it wasn't too hot at this point, but as the sun rose we quickly drank our water bottles dry.

Our first foot crossing of the railway was at Frimley Green through the Pit Lakes Fisheries. The next railway crossing was at Farnborough North station where we tried out the new lifts, because the level crossing was closed. From here we took the road on the edge of Queen Elizabeth Park to bypass north of Farnborough. Finally tracking north of Fleet we rode through Odiham Common and Odiham itself to arrive at The Fox and Goose pub, where we ate in the outside shade of the garden. We were able to refill our bottles from an outside water tap.

It had taken 2 hours and 20 minutes to cycle the 28 miles from New Haw and we left the pub at 1.50 pm so we knew stopping for tea after another 27 miles would be pushing it. The heat was more oppressive now and combined with a headwind made for tired legs.The route started the way we had come back through Odiham and then dropped down through Church Crookham and north of Aldershot, Fox Corner and then Old Woking. Here, as it was 3.50 pm and we needed a break, we stopped at Claud's Coffee House Westfield. After a swift cola and coffee Peter, Neil and Janice set off at a faster pace for home. Gill, Guy and myself made slower progress for the 4 miles back to Ripley. I was very tired, but happy for riding with the others in good company. I appreciated Peter watching over at the back and thanks go to Dave W for organising a splendid country route and pub stop.

I reckon I had a much easier time of it!   My group showed exemplary conduct, sticking together like limpets all day, and studiously avoiding punctures and 'mechanicals'!   Dave B's excellent back-marking must have a played a part here!

We caught and passed Steve's group while they were having a quiet nap at Hook Heath (mending a puncture, they said), and just pipped them to the post at Greywell, where we enjoyed a shady lunch, efficiently served, and reasonably priced.   Much liquid was consumed.  The big climb of the day, over the Hampshire Downs, loomed soon after lunch, but it was mostly well-shaded, and my group made light work of it.

After that it should have been a long and gradual descent into Basingstoke, but we did turn more into the wind, and it had been a long day!   My group had behaved so well that I thought they deserved an ice cream stop, and the  shop in the picturesque village of Oakley duly delivered!

From there it was just 30 minutes to our final destination, and we arrived at Basingstoke station just before 4.00 pm.   Train travel home was not entirely without problems, but at least the trains were air-conditioned!   Many thanks to Dave F, Dave E, Fiona B, Mike R, Patrick W and Brian G for their company, and for putting up with it all in my group!