Not done this ride for several months, so thanks to Carole for organising, and Stephanie too. Most of the riders today had never been before, perhaps because last year they considered it too far. We have all come on leaps and bounds since then.
The team.... Carole, Stephanie, Sally, Carol, Linda and newbie Suzanna on her road bike.
The route (takes a few seconds to open)
We met at Dinton Pastures where Carole and I did a mile or so looking for Jackie B..... never did find her! We were rather late leaving in the end, with forecasts of rain and strong winds for late morning, so were keen to get our way.
We all set off with waterproofs and mostly we were too warm, so peeled off and on, more than once. First stop Pond at Shurlock Row, where we turn right.
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| Peeling off a layer |
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| spring blossom and the water just about visible. Usually by the summer its totally green. |
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| Primula in the grass around the pond |
Then over to Beenham's Heath and onto White Waltham. Then along Bottle Lane and turn right into the Knowl Hill Bridleway Circuit, which crosses open fields. Dark clouds gathering. eek.
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| New rider to our group Suzanna out in front on her road bike. Big advantage. She normally rides 50+ miles |
And on to Stubbings for tea stop. Just as we were getting ready to leave the heavens opened. We were sitting outside under a rather wet canopy.
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| Drips on the canopy |
The heavy rain passed, and we decided to make a dash for it, as the next downpour came. We hung about for a few minutes, then back on our way, rain jackets on, until they were off, then they were back on again!
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| The Rape Crop just starting to show the first signs of yellow. |
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| heading back, and thinking there is no way we won't get soaked.. we were right. |
We got wet, but not a big problem. The biggest problem was the gusting wind. Even on flat roads it was hard work on the way back.
