With Sue away this week, I offered a ride today, Thursday. This was a mostly flat ride, in contrast to yesterday's Chiltern Hills ride. Just 2 ladies joined me today, so it was easy to just keep moving, our average speed hit 12mph at one stage. But it was always going to be difficult to maintain, with a few bridges to cross.
Route link
A disappointingly gloomy day after yesterday's sunshine and 20 degrees, but still pleasant for riding. Sue C and Jeanette joined me for our start at Cantley. Sue had already ridden over 3 miles from home.
A special mention today to a friend of Jeanette's called Sally, who apparently reads lots of my blogs. Sally is having a rough ride atm, so I hope these photos lift your spirits. Best wishes to you.
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| Broadcommon Road, Hurst. Lots of blossoms on our route today. |
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A sure sign of spring just off The Straight Mile.
I was a bit more congested than normal today..... heyfever season. |
Through Shurlock Row, and not far past the pond, a group of about 8 male cyclists, were in the process of turning around. A strange manover, and I assumed they had missed their turn a little further back. I was amused by this, since they could have just carried on to the pond, and done the other side of a triangle. However, we caught then up, and it turned out that one of their group had not only had a puncture, but damaged his wheel, so his ride was over. Most likely hit a pothole going too fast, as these male groups do.😕 Not at all sensible like us ladies. 😇😅
We continued straight, over the M4, and then through Paley Street and on to Money Row Green. Just before reaching Holyport, we turned right into Langworthy Lane, just to get us off the main road through the village. Under the M4 next as we headed into Bray, and where Sue did hit a pothole and her water bottle came flying off. Retrieved, we rode into Bray, and just after the car park, turned right into Old Mill Lane.
A bit of effort on the quiet lane to climb over the M4 again, on Monkey Island Lane, and then into the track leading to the pedestrian bridge over the Thames.
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Dorney Court, not open atm
but the garden is looking well tended. |
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| I do love white daffs too. These opposite Dorney court. |
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The entrance to the cafe is via the garden centre.
Its peak season for the alpine plants. |
A nice chat over coffee/tea. We sat indoors today, which was a shame, since this is a nice stop for sitting ourdoors but not quite warm enough in a breeze today. We retraced our route back towards the river, but a quick photo stop first.
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Group selfie using Sue's bike as a tripod.
A tiny bit of blue sky! |
In Bray, we rode through the village, with one little stop off at the churchyard hoping to see some nice blossom.
A bit of a short climb now on Harvest Hill Road, with open views to the left, and where a tiny pony was in the field. A left then for a downhill run on what WAS a country lane last time I was there, called Kimber Lane. Its changed!!!!
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| Kimber Lane, which was quiet lane a few months ago.😡 |
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View back to Kimber Lane from the elevation of the pedestrian
bridge over the A404. |
Thankfully Okwell Road, which is the other side of the bridge is still a quiet country lane. Joining Woodlands Park Road, and Woodlands Park Avenue, we followed this road around today to emerge opposite the entrance to Waltham Air Field. (I would ideally have joined the Snowball Hill road to join with Heywood Barns Farm track, but knew it would be full of puddles).
Leaving White Waltham Road, we came back into Shurlock Row via Smewins Road, and at the pond, continued straigtht over, into a head wind along Hungerford Lane. My legs were feeling really tired. I assumed after yesterdays challenging route. But there was another reason, which I will mention at the end.
We came into Hurst from Hinton Road, with the huge Crochet Egg facing us next to the pond. I knew about it, and it even made the local BBC news yesterday. Made by the HURST HOOKERS. An impressive sight.
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| Post toppers alongside the pond. |
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I had never before noticed this pretty cottage called Peacocks,
opposite the pond. It's for SALE. (£800K) |
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Grade II listed Peacock Cottage,
normally hidden behind foliage I guess. |
I had heard from a friend, that there were lambs in the fields at Hurst, so we returned passing the Castle Inn and dropped down to the lanes, but we saw nothing. Back to Wokingham via Dinton M4 flyover.
I mentioned my legs were tired. My bike had developed a squeak which started yesterday, but worse today. I took it to Mountain Trax when I got home, and when Paul spun my back wheel, it barely moved!!! No wonder I was knackered. The pistons on the brake were stuck on. He sorted it in no time.
Thank you to Jeanette and Sue for your good company today. Jeanettte led a lot of the way, and set a good pace. And well done to Sue, who must have clocked up close to 40 miles this morning.
