Today's ride was possibly "plan D" by the time we set off this morning. I had planned to lead a ride with friends to Englefield, on a different route I had worked out which would be about 33 miles, only to find out late yesterday that the lunch stop was closed today (normally open Mondays, just not this Monday!). Since we had "riding to lunch" in our minds, I had to think about where else is open on a Monday for lunch, where you can easily park your bikes, and sit in the garden? (Mondays as notoriously difficult even pre-Covid)
The Flower Pot, Aston came good, although they wouldn't take bookings. I had thought that "plan B" would be to ride initially to Hurley for a bit of variety, then back up and down again to Aston, but that was pushing the miles a bit too far for a few who lived south of Wokingham. So, my suggestion was through Sonning, up to Binfield Heath, then drop down through Harpsden to Henley, leaving just the climb from the pub up Aston Lane and pretty much the only post-lunch climb, with the rest downhill. Seemed to work, if you look at the ride profile.
Cathy joined today with Daphne, Susie, Linda and me, who have been riding alternate Mondays for a few weeks now. Good to see Cathy who has returned as a Breeze champion, doing rides for newbies, but as a result mostly doing short easier rides. She was a bit worried about the hills today, but shot off at the front and did very well.
As we went through Sonning, we took the little detour to the left just passed the French Horn at Sonning Eye, which is a pretty lane and rejoins the main road just missing out a section. Straight ahead is this pretty cottage aptly named "Long Gardens".
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Linda waiting for the photographer in the back lane in Sonning Eye.
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We climbed the hill to Dunsden, and stopped for a few minutes in the shade at the top.
Now continuing to Binfield Heath, then into Commons Lane and stopped to allow a car passed at the junction of Perseverance Hill and Chalk Hill, at the green triangle! Today we continued straight ahead down Chalk Hill, passing Harpsden Golf club.
In the last few weeks, a notice of "no cycling" has appeared on the footpath alongside the river at Henley, so we went into Mill Lane, and cut through the car park to cross the meadowland next to the river.
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Marsh Meadows with boats just visible on the river, with views across the Thames.
Loved the "V" shaped cloud
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| Grass pathways through Marsh Meadows |
Bit of a disaster as the last bit then crossed a small stream and we had to maneuver crossing a couple of large stepping stones, into the Museum Car Park. (note for next time.... turn off before this point!)
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Cathy doing a balancing act on the stepping stones
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The pub was pretty busy, but service was great, and ordering inside with a one way system worked well, and lunch arrived pretty promptly and all very tasty.
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Daphne chuffed with two eggs on her egg and ham sandwich.
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Selfie. Haircut tomorrow!
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Since we now had to get up Aston Lane, I suggested a short ride to the river, just to warm up our legs a bit, before the uphill.
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Canada Geese all lined up on the weir.
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We returned via Crazies Hill, Hare Hatch and Ruscombe, which is about the shortest route back. I did 33 miles, Susie 40 and Linda 42. Well done team. A nice change to ride to lunch and nice leisurely post lunch ride home, mostly downhill.... apart from the hills! 😅
