Hurricane Barney was certainly evident today as we road this 31 mile ride. It felt more like 50 by the end and most of us felt pretty knackered.
We started at Westmoreland Park, Warfield, Kelly leading the ride assisted by Stephanie.
3 new ladies today, Elise from Crowthorne, and Saab and Anita from Iver. And the regulars Susie, Chris, Liliana, Carol, Linda and me. 11 in total.
We left the meeting point via a cycle path with connected us to the Forest Road, which we immediately turned off of into Haley Green and continued to Malt Hill.
Route Map
here prepared by Kelly. ( takes a few seconds to open)
Joining the Maidenhead Road for a short distance, we then turned left in to Bottle Lane which is about 1.5 miles. Then left in to Howe Lane, and I finally realised where I was!Then the B3010 all the way into Shurlock Row, and straight passed the Duck Pond continuing over to Waltham St Lawrence. Whilst they all kept going, I stopped for a couple of photos, and had a challenge to catch up again since the wind at this point was gusting so hard I nearly came off.
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| Old Bell, Waltham St Lawrence |
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| Church at Walatham St Lawrence |
Following Milley Lane all the way to Hare Hatch we joined the A4 next to the Horse and Groom Pub and after 1/4 mile or so, right into Mumberry Hill....... downhill, thankfully! Continuing almost to Wargrave, we turn right, so a climb back up on Blakes Road which took us back in a figure of 8 loop, to rejoin the A4 again,for a very short stretch, then into Scarletes Lane, and Castle End Road towards Ruscombe.
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| the views to the Chilterns from Blakes Road, Wargrave |
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| Lovely open views and blue skies near Ruscbome |
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| Anita, Elise and Stephanie |
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| Kelly, Liliana, Linda, Susie, Elise, Carol, Chris, Stephanie, Anita and Saab |
We continued to Twyford crossroads causing chaos at the busy traffic lights.
Straight through for 1 mile then left into Park Lane, Charvil, heading for the Lands End Pub next to the Ford for coffee stop. It was CLOSED! Disaster!!
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| at 11.45 it was closed. So plan B. (there was no plan B) |
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| Crossing the ford was not an option! |
We decided to head for the Dragonfly Cafe at Dinton Pastures, via lanes around the back of Woodley Airfield Estate.
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| Arriving at Dinton Pastures |
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| The wind was whipping up the lake today |
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Taking over the bike racks at Dinton, locking up all our expensive gear
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After our stop, a few miles across the very familiar Hurst Lanes route, but then onto the Straight Mile and left into the Maidenhead Road (passed Binfield Dog Rescue), UP Carters Hill. Then a nice down into Binfield turning into a new route for me called Stubbs Hill and Ryhurst Lane. Very narrow, but quiet with absolutely no traffic.
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| Ryhurst Lane, Binfield |
This joins back to Bottle Lane ( which we used earlier), and joins to the Maidenhead Road. Rather than retrace our way out, we turned right, then almost immediately right just passed Moss End Garden Centre, and up Bowyers Lane, leading into Wellers Lane, then back the way we came for the last 2 miles.
I knew much of this ride, but it was nice to piece various familiar areas together with unknown lanes . Thanks to Kelly for organising.
