It's Good Friday, and since most of the WLCG were busy with various things today, I decided to join John and Dave and take my road bike. Apart from a short test ride last week, I have not ridden it for ages, since I am unable to get the tyre back on if it punctures. That was until I learned about a handy tool, which takes the strain, so I am now able to ride it again.
As it turned out, John had a puncture on his road bike, and so the tool came into action after just 3 miles, as we passed through Arborfield.
With no planned route, we thought Dave could lead today. 😉😂
 |
| Dave holding the handy tool at the ready. It worked well. John found a large shard of glass in his tyre. |
 |
| Over the bridge on Observer Way, to turn left along Swallowfield Road. |
From Swallowfield, we rode down Barge Lane, over the Green Bridge and then headed to Beech Hill along the main road. I got well ahead on my road bike, and stopped to photograph this pump at the pond in Beech Hill, which I had never noticed before. The boys overtook, heading towards Mortimer.
 |
| Beech Hill Pond |
 |
| House opposite the pond, with Honeysuckle just coming into flower. |
 |
| I stopped to focus on this blossom framing the tree behind then I noticed a handy Pheasant also joined in. 😊 |
I had to peddle fast now to catchup with the boys, which I did as they turned into Mortimer Lane. Then our usual route up to Silchester, and around Wall Lane. Then since we were heading to the cricket club, onto Little London Road at the junction.
 |
| Out of focus Simnel Cake. Very nice. |
 |
| We sat outside since inside was busy but there was a strong wind blowing. So we didn't hang about too long. John and Dave both wearing shorts, were under dressed today. |
We left turning into Holly Lane, to join Bramley Road. I don't come down this way too often, infact have come up it twice more recently, so it's a nice one to almost freewheel down
 |
| Bramley Road leaving Silchester. Lots of equestrian fields. |
 |
| Bramley Road. I now need to catch up again. |
 |
| Bramley Road, and I had passed the boys and was waiting here for them to come into shot... but a car was hot on their tale. Grrr. |
 |
| Once the car had passed, I took this shot. A lovely shaped tree overhanging the lane. Clappers farm Road, just a bit further around the next bend, which we ignored, and continued over the railway in Bramley and into Oliver's Lane. |
Heading next to Stratfield Saye, the long, flat Great Dover Street, with no traffic. Although most of roads had been really quiet today anyway. Is everyone away for Easter to join the queues somewhere else?
 |
| Utterly thoughtless. Great Dover Street. |
I mentioned that the Fritillaries would probably be peaking in the field near Chequers Lane, and since Dave had never been there, we did a short detour on foot to walk to see them.
 |
| Locking up our bikes just off the road at the Loddon on Chequers Lane. |
 |
| Footpath in the grass. |
 |
 |
| This tree looks dead, but some blossom still in flower. |
 |
| So unusual to see so many Snakes head Fritillarie together. You need to get on your knees to appreciate them. |
 |
| As we turned into Bull Lane, this patch of white flowers, which are everywhere atm. I thought this was white Campion, but Dave thought Stitchwort. He was correct.😇😅   |
 |
| Wisteria looking nice on this Park Lane Cottage. |
Finally back over Farley Hill to Hogwood area and California Park.The wind seemed to get stronger on our way back, so we worked hard peddling into it, so after 38 miles was happy to be home for a rest.