Susie led today with Linda and Daphne who all cycled from home and I met them at Cantley. I did 30 miles and they did 36ish, which was the longest ever for Daphne. Well done! (bumped into Cathy at Cantley too who was going to ride with some U3A ladies).
I opted for my hybrid today suspecting there would be a bit off "off road" on the route. I had not therefore expected to be averaging a speed of 12.4! It's a heavy bike!! Although it's not a hilly route, my knees are definitely feeling like they have been used this morning. (3rd ride in just a few days, using 3 different bikes)
I took my Gopro, so just a few screen grabs which are a bit over exposed at times, and I may make a short film later. (lots of bottom shots!)
route
We set off from Cantley, over the motorway right into Forest Road, left into Maidenhead Road, then followed the Straight Mile, then into the second Straight Mile into Shurlock Row. Next, on to White Waltham, and down Butchers Lane/Bottle Lane before a right turn onto the Knowl Hill Bridal circuit path. From here, we cut through the very pretty Littlewick Green, and tried to find a path which would take us around the back of the church to reconnect with the Knowl Hill cycle route. Didn't find it unfortunately, so a short section of the A4, then a right turn into Westacott Way, got us back on course.
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| Turning into the Straight Mile towards Shurlock Row |
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| Just to prove I was there too! |
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A quick breather at the house with the Corgi Weathervane on Smewins Road. Cant believe a driver
stopped to ask we knew where Pondview Fishing was? I only found out last week having cycled
past it 100 times before! |
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| The lovely open views along the Knowl Hill circuit as we approach Littlewick Green |
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| Cutting through a narrow path at the church at Littlewick Green |
Now we headed for Breadmore Lane, emerging back into White Waltham and picked up the path to take us over the motorway and into Paley Street. (Woodlands Park Avenue/Snowball Hill). The big open crops fields looking very nice. We had only cycled this the other way before.... its quite an awkward climb on a muddy track for a short section.... at the steepest part!
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| Snowball Hill. no snowballs and no hill... yet. |
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| Heading through a dark tunnel on Snowball Hill. as the path starts to rise and get steeper to get over the M4 |
From Paley Street a couple of sections on main road to get us to Holyport, where Susie had looked up a new cafe, which we hoped would be serving hot drinks. As we passed through Holyport, Linda announced " There's Andy!". Her hubby was out with a U3A group who had arranged to meet up at the duck pond. Denise, one of the Breeze ladies, was with them too. She had very sadly lost her husband just recently, so it was nice to see her getting out again. They were both Morris Dancers, and had often danced on the green here, so it would have been difficult for her. Lovely spot for a picnic.
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| Andy in bright orange, with Denise amongst a few other U3a riders in the background. |
After a few minutes chatting, we left them in search of our tea stop, passing this lovely house on the green.
We found the cafe "The Cuppa" on Stompits Road. They had some lovely gifts as well as cakes. The loo was not yet available due to Covid, and also they have a garden, which they hope to open soon. We bought drinks and sat on a bench and grass just outside. (not the best location but drink too awkward to carry back to the duck pond).
We returned the same way to Paley Street, then all the way along Howes Lane, up Billingbear Road, and back to Wokingham where they left me at Diamond Jubilee Way.
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| Bye! |
A lovely ride in perfect weather. The next few days are going to be scorching, so was glad to be out today. Thanks Susie for organising, and to Linda and Daphne for a very sociable morning, discussing lot of stuff that girls talk about.
