Hartley Wintney (new cafe) from FBC

A steady ride to the lovely village of Hartley Wintney to visit the new Valentino’s café, which serves great coffee and an enormous selection of pastries and cakes. We‘ll start out on cycleways from Finchampstead to Arborfield, cross over Observer Way bridge and head to Swallowfield and on country lanes to Heckfield. There is a short section on a busy road, then we turn off on a quiet lane with a big downhill and cross over on to ride on several pretty lanes to Chandlers Green, then over to Dipley and on West Green Road to Hartley Wintney. Our coffee stop is after 16 miles BUT that means we only have 9.5 miles to cycle back! Our return route is via Phoenix Green, Hazeley Bottom and uphill to the Mutton, then up Plough Lane – but we can do this in stages and stop as often as we like. Finally - back over Bramshill Forest tracks and over New Mill Ford (or alternative road route if the forest is too muddy.)

Mainly riding on roads, country lanes,1 forest track and some cycleways. Some lanes are a bit bumpy, gravelly or muddy after recent rain, so may not be suitable for road bikes with skinny tyres.

You must please wear a cycle helmet and appropriate clothing for the weather. Please also bring: a bottle of water, cash or card for payment at the café, a spare inner tube to fit your own tyres and a pump and bike lock if you have one. To avoid unnecessary delays, please check the night before that your tyres are correctly inflated (makes cycling easier!) both brakes working, and chain oiled.

We never leave anyone behind