Breeze Cantley to Sonning Common rtn Kidmore End - 30 miles

I've just returned from cycling 240  miles and 15,000 feet in Scotland, so today's ride of 1000 feet was a walk in the park in comparison! For me at least.  But I have to remember that I also used to struggle up some of the inclines we did today. Well done team for a great average speed today of 11mph. 

With a few of my regular Wednesday ladies on holidays, it was nice to have a different group join me today, as we met up at Cantley.    Karen, Amanda T, Cathy, Janet & Jo. One lady cancelled last night so a nice group of 6.  The forecast had been a bit tricky to judge yesterday, but I decided to commit to going regardless and the others all agreed. It was  slightly damp to start with, but very soon cleared up. So a good decision to go.

Route link screen shot at end.

Joining forces again after we split up to climb Sandford Lane.
A large Elder Shrub behind the ladies. We saw lots of these today.
(Rain jackets still on, but not really necessary)

As we peddled on Beggarshill Road, I heard someone comment that they had never been here before. That's always nice to hear, if there is a new discovery for one or two on the trip.  Through Sonning, and on our climb up to Dunsden, Karen said she had never peddled UP here before, only come down.  I wasn't even out of breath going up this hill today, after my week of cycling in Scotland!😂 How times have changed. 

Salvia "hot lips" at Dundsen Church.
They always have a good display of summer planting here. Often Cosmos. 

It's Iris time too. Always flowering at Chelsea Flower Show time. 

here comes Jo.

And Cathy

And Janet.

Time for jackets off!   We turned left opposite the church, into Gravel Lane, and someone else announced "oh, I've not ridden this one before". 

And soon a nice downhill at the XRoads in Binfield Heath
heading to Sonning Common

I loved this little combo of  the red and fresh green ferns,
with a little sparkle of white from the Ox-eye daisies.

A little loop around the equestrian fields off Sonning Common Road, where we met two riders on horses, and later another walking her horse, who got a little spooked as we passed. The rider walked the horse into a drive way so that we passed safely.  Down steeply on Widmore Lane, passing the pond, and a climb back up again on Wood Lane into Sonning Common, and soon we arrived at our tea stop at The Herb Centre, via Westleigh Drive. 

A cycling group were just leaving. They were starting their ride here today.  It was Reading CTC group, who's meeting points are always at a cafe, and then they ride to lunch. 

It was warm now and the sun out and with every other visitor sitting indoors, we sat outside , in the sunshine. The seats a little damp so our jackets came in useful to sit on .

A great choice of snacks on offer, (now run by Piedmont Cafe) and reasonably priced too,  compared to some of the cycling cafes. And the garden was looking pretty good too. 

Amanda next to the Phlomis shrub.

Raindrops on the Iris from earlier. 

Jo, me, Amanda T, Karen, Cathy, Janet.

The good news is that we are now at the high point of our ride. We backtracked a little then headed to Kidmore End, turning left at the church. All nice and flat. A little delay after we stopped to allow a coach to pass, who then proceeded to reverse into a tiny lane, which took a few attempts to get right. 

Down and up passed what was the Emmer Green Golf course (now houses), and a long downhill on Lowfield Road, passing Caversham Park. Wheeee. 

Once more through Sonning and this time we passed Blue Coat School and over the A4 into Woodley. Janet got the chance to practice leading using her Garmin.😉 And finally, back via Sandford Lane, into Hurst Lanes. Jo left us to return to Forest Road, and Janet peeled off as we passed through Winnersh.

Thanks for joining me ladies, and I hope you enjoyed our little pootle out to Sonning Common.