With family staying this week, I wasn't able to offer a Wednesday ride, but had today, Thursday free, to escape. 😉 The Welsh grandchildren (aged 9 and 11) cycled 17 miles with us yesterday in two stages, so I have not been idle.
Today's route was billed as 32 miles, but other than getting over Carters Hill, all very flat. So it was nice that Wendy felt confident to join in again, for her 3rd ride. Lovely to see Diane too after many months, and Clare on her last chance till next half term holiday. I was also joined by Janet and Amanda T, so a nice mixed bunch mostly of ladies who were not so familiar with each other. Plenty to chat about then!
Route link screenshot at end.
A cooler morning than of late, and everyone had an extra layer ...... until the top of Carters Hill. Having removed my jacket, it then decided to drizzle as we rode the length of Howe Lane today, but didn't come to much. We rode in 2 groups on Howe Lane, and came together again as we rode into the quieter Paley Street, and soon into Long Lane. Proper off road now for "a long way", and Janet volunteered to take the lead on this part of the route. Lots of shouts of "bumps, tree routes etc" until we reached the last section, where a new scalpings base have been laid recently. A few "wey heys", until we were safely back to tarmac as we approached Holyport.
The road into Holyport closed, but we were turning off anyway into Langworthy Road, so no problem. Then I confused the ones who knew this part of the route, by turning right into Gays Lane.
 |
| Selfie in the very quiet Gays Lane, Holyport. Me, Diane, Clare, Janet, Amanda T, Wendy. |
Then left onto the more bumpy Green Lane, and left again into Coningsby Lane, where these horses had pulled over for us to pass. I spotted the little one and asked if OK to take a photo. I thought it was a foal, but it's actually fully grown.
 |
| 2.5 horses on Coningsby Lane, nr Holyport. |
We continued now to cross the A308 and soon over the pedestrian bridge on Monkey Island Road.
 |
| A boat obligingly passing under the footbridge. |
 |
| A few years now since these barriers were put in. We used to ride over this bridge, but not allowed to now. (the surface can get slippery) |
A quick comfort stop at Dorney cafe, before joining the Jubilee River Path.
 |
| Man taking horse for a walk |
 |
| the wildflowers and grasses not so interesting this time of year but still a few splashes of blue from the Hickory flowers. (whose name I couldn't remember for several minutes before it suddenly came to me!) |
Passing Taplow Lake, we joined the foopath alongside the A4 as far as a roundabout then into Jubilee Lane, and Mill Lane. We passed the old Millhouse, and saw this property called Glen Island House. I had not seen this before, which means that my route planning is wrong, but never mind! (Google tells me that it was on the market for a snip at £3.5m)
 |
| Glen Island House which fronts the Thames. |
So, at this point, the car park did say PRIVATE, residents only, but fortunately a very nice man was pleasant when I asked him how to get back to the Jubilee river path? No problem, just through one small gate and we were back on track
 |
| the Jubilee River off Mill Lane. I always thinks its a very successful new development. We just need to walk a few yards, then we can cycle once more. |
We cycled through the very well tended garden area, then onto the pedestrian bridge to Ray Mill Island.
 |
| This boat hire company must have spent ages coming up with the name "Green Boat".😂 |
 |
| A few hundred yards later, and we pull over to the cafe stop, called Jenners Riverside Cafe. |
 |
| Arriving at the back of the Braywick Leisure Centre. Just need to find the best route to the the front entrance now.😉 |
Once over the pedestrian bridge over the A404, which Clare managed to ride up, Janet announced that she would leave us at Lines Road. I don't know where she thought we were! That's still miles away in Hurst.😂
 |
| Heywood Farm Barns views to White Waltham |
The planned route now was along Smewins Road to Shurlock Row. I noticed Jill had mentioned this road being closed yesterday, but there were no Road Closed signs today. However, having peddled the entire length of Smewins Road, with some new tarmac sections, I assumed the roadworks had gone.
At the T juction at the end, we were told we could not turn right to Shurlock Row and would have to turn left instead. I didn't want to do this, since that would have meant returning on Howe Lane once more. So, we doubled back, and after 2 left turns, approached Shurlock Row from Waltham St Lawrence instead. (The ladies were moslty lost anyway, so we could have been anywhere!😅)
Finally, back on the Straight Mile to Broadcommon Road , and where Janet finally said goodbye to us at the Lines Road X Roads, as the rest of us climbed our favourite hill over the motorways back to Cantley.
Thanks all for your good company and hope you enjoyed exploring some new areas today, for some at least.
