The ride today included Kelly who has a bit more time on her hands atm due to Covid Furlough Scheme, and said she fancied riding with us. Kay also joined Susie, Linda, Daphne and me, so we were 6.
We met at Cantley, where we also bumped into a Breeze group gathering for their ride, led by Cathy and Jill. This is their second ride since lockdown measures lifted, and were leaded a short ride with a stop at Dinton. Well done ladies. Several other champs are not yet ready to lead (inc me.)
Route (first 2 miles from home not recorded)
(I had a horrible nights sleep, felt knackered, so took my ebike today, just using power assistance a couple of times on Crazies Hill and Devils Hill. Otherwise a good work out in fact our pace as we approached Crazies Hill was 14.5mph. Time to slow down a bit!)
We made our way from Cantley through Hurst lanes, passing the Breeze riders in the opposite direction on Broadcommon Lane. From Hungerford Lane, we turned left into Brook Lane, passing the pretty Waltham St Lawrence School, then straight over into Waltham St Lawrence and over Milley Bridge to cross the A4 at Hare Hatch. Now over to Crazies Hill, where the road was actually "closed" and where we stopped for our first photo... in he middle of the road.
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| Passing through Crazies Hill |
Now across to the top of Remenham Hill, and down to the Flower Pot at Aston, where this view opens up looking across the Thames towards Hambleden.
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| Regrouping on Remenham Lane heading into Henley |
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| Traffic queuing on the bridge, so a chance for a photo of Henley |
A quick loo stop in Henley, and along the towpath someone commented "none of them can read". She was referring to a sign saying "no cycling" which I honestly was not aware of. Maybe its new due to Covid social distancing? Anyway, we cut across the grass meadow instead, emerging at Mill Lane car park, up to the main road, where we turn left then right into Harpsden. We continue through Harpsden,where after about 3 miles it kicks up on a left hand bend on "Devils Hill". It's only short, but its steep. Kay was first up, and me alongside her (with power assistance!). I have never managed up this hill, and probably never will. Linda just behind us. The others not long after. Well done to everyone.
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| Drinks stop at top of Devils Hill Harpsden. |
A right turn at the Junction, onto Blounts Court Road, then shortly a left turn into Blackmore Lane, a lane I have never ridden before, infact John swore blind that it did not exist. It does. It links to the B481 Peppard Road, which is where our coffee stop was. I stopped on Blackmore Lane for a couple of photos. The others carried on.
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| There they go, on Blackmore Lane, Sonning Common. before it drops down to the main road. |
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| Field at Blackmore Lane |
I was kind of expecting them to wait at the end, since no one knew where we were going, only to find that they had all gone right on Peppard Road (our coffee stop at the Herb Centre was left). Having caught up with them, I decided to just take a different route turing left into Wood Lane, and left at the top into Kennylands Road. Then through a residential estate (Westleigh Drive) taking us back through to the main Peppard Road, (I had planned to return this way anyway). In reflection, a better route, keeping us off the main road as much as possible.
The next few photos at The Herb Centre. I had never been before, but knew Susie had been on a recci a few months ago... when life was normal. It was very nice, but a bit slow to serve anything other than a scone or cake, and a couple of the ladies fancied lunch. So we were there for a while. Never mind, so rush. (or so we thought).
We retraced our steps a little and then turned into Bird in the Hand Lane, crossing over towards Dunsden Green. We stopped at the little cottage where we had previously spotted a blue plaque. (one of those that says who lived here). It was someone's name, and stated that they STILL lived there.😅
At about this point, Daphne mentioned that she was supposed to be back by 1.30. It was now not far short of 1.30! So we charged on, just one last photo at the Xroads on Emmer Green Road.
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| Lovely crops at Emmer Green Road |
The enjoyable downhill into Sonning next, where we tried the little cut through which Susie mentioned recently. Nice little lane, but getting back out on the main road was a bit of a blind corner, so it would safer to use in the other direction.
For a change, we returned up Pound Lane, Sonning, across the A4 roundabout into Woodley and worked out way across to drop down Sandford Lane to Winnersh.
A nice route I thought, and actually just 898 feet of climbing, with most of it gradual. Linda road home clocking up 44 miles. Well done.
