Since it's been pretty dry recently, I suggested a route today to take in some of the off roads paths in the locality, so opted for my hybrid today. Jeanette, whose bike died on our ride on Monday, brought her "old" bike, and she really enjoyed riding it again, especially with its new saddle. Having ridden 37 miles yesterday, I planned an easier shorter route today, with a cuppa stop at Bia Cycle Hub in Twyford. This is a new shop which has opened, so wanted to check it out. Just takeaway tea and cakes, but a few seats out front.
Route
We set off from Woosehill, using Toutley road and connected to the new northern distributor road, using cycle paths, and turned left on the Binfield Road.
(Lynne mentioned that you can now cut through on paths to link up from Bell Foundry Lane to the section called Diamond Jubilee Way, so must check that out next time. Not driveable yet, but cycling through is possible).
Within a few minutes, we are out in the country, on a beautiful summers day.
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| Lone tree on Binfield Road, heading towards Binfield |
We crossed into Green Lane, then shortly a right turn into Monks Alley. Jeanette not been here before. A good link in Summer, but very messy in winter. Here are the view to the left from Monks Alley.
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| Waiting for the photographer in Monks alley. Path nice and dry. |
Through Binfield, then right at the church and left into Stubbs Hill, and right into Cabbage Hill Lane. From here we went off road again, using Hazlewood Lane, continuing all the way to Westerley Mill Ford.
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| The pink house, not so visible this time of year at Westerley Mill ford. |
Once across the ford, the right fork to Howe Lane, then left before turning into another off road section, emerging at Spinning Wheel Lane, nr Shurlock Row. From here we made our away using lanes across to Waltham St Lawrence, and since I have ridden parts of this route several times recently, today opted to turn left onto the B3024 road towards Ruscombe. It was a longer section that I remember, having only ever ridden it once the opposite way, but a very pleasant flat road, with lovely views as we approach Ruscombe.
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| Views from the B3024 looking towards Hare Hatch |
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| Martina and Lynne catching us up on the B3024 |
Now into Twyford to the Bia Hub bike shop. We had delicious cakes, but the downside is that the only place to sit is on the main road, where traffic is contrastly passing and stopping for the traffic lights. They do bike maintenance here and plan to open the upstairs as a cafe in time, so I hope the do well.
Deciding which way to come back, Jeanette suggested following the river Loddon from Hurst, crossing the Whistley Mill road, and continuing to Sandford Lane. Never done this before, but on my hybrid a lovely route, especially with the pink balm in flower.
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| Following the Loddon just next to Whistley Mill road |
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| Bridge as we get close to Sandford Lane |
We emerge just at the bend on Sandford Lane, where you can access Dinton through a style, and rode back down Sandford Lane, then across the lanes around Hurst to get back (Martina now leading).
A lovely morning to be out. Thanks for your company, and route suggestions.
