Today's ride had been planned as a Chilterns ride, but a recce drive yesterday, confirmed that flooding around Henley made that impossible, so instead I led a group, with Stephanie from Cantley to Stubbings. I tried to introduce a couple of different sections from the usual Stubbings ride, to include some new bits out of Wokingham, and approached Stubbings from a different direction. The ride was to be 28 miles, but we shorted it a bit because the rain came early, and also because of technical hitch.
My own
route (cut short)
We used the newly opened roads in Wokingham, which will eventually be part of the northern distribution road, taking us across north Wokingham, and appearing at the Oakingham Bell (opposite St Anne's Manor). Most ladies were confused as to where they were. Great roads.... no potholes.... yet.
A bit a faff crossing over at the A329 roundabout on the cycle path using 4 sets of lights, but it got us safely round and then climbed up towards Binfield, turning left into the traffic free Murrell Hill Lane. Then a wiggle through the development to the right of Foxley Lane, and crossed over into the lovely Wicks Green. Since the lanes at the back of the church (Ryecroft) would no doubt be flooded we took the main road and turned right into Howe Lane. I was quite chuffed to almost pass Karan here on the climb, without using my power button. (not sure anyone believed me.. but its true). I didn't use power at all today.
Then half way along Howe Lane, a left at the roundabout taking us over the M4, and then right towards White Waltham. A right turn, and we road straight on for a few miles, crossing the A4 on to the Henley Road, where Stubbing is on our left. (have always approached from the opposite direction until today)
 |
| yummy cakes at Stubbings! |
 |
| Blankets for customer use , so Lucy feeling chilly, thought why not! |
 |
| Gill, Jackie, Me, Stephanie, Vanessa, Linda, Karan, Lucy |
By the time we had our cuppa, the rain forecast for about mid day came early. Booooo. We returned on the planned route via Burchetts Green, then crossed the A4 into Cherry Garden Lane, linking to Route 4 across to Bottle Lane/Butchers Lane back to White Waltham.
Just as we did the little climb up Kiln Hill, at exactly the same spot where Carol had a puncture a few weeks ago, Jackie got a puncture. By this time it was proper rain. The tyres proved to be buggers to get off, but thanks to Karan and help from Lucy they eventually managed to get the tyres off, and get a new tube in. But it would NOT inflate. Gill produced an air canister, but even that did not do any good. ( We think the valve length on the tube was too short).
 |
| Jackie knew her tyres were tight to get on and off but Karan got stuck in to have a go... |
 |
| Jackie was right, it was hard work to get her tyres on and off.
After what seemed like 20 mins? or longer, I called hubby for a second time, but still no reply. (He was also out riding, as was Jackie's hubby). Finally hubby called me back. He was a few miles from home but would come to the rescue as soon as he could. Jackie and I walked towards Shurlock Row, whilst the others continued with their quickest route return to Cantley. Jackie and I walked for about a mile, before hubby appeared to pick us up at exactly the same spot that Carol's on picked her up the day she punctured. That road is doomed!
Our average speed had been around 12.8 at Stubbings, but then with walking the last mile at 3 mph.. it all dropped on my recorded route to 10.5.
Hot bath when I got home, since was soaking wet and chilled by this time. Jacket was fine, but feet were rather wet.
|
