I fancied a longish ride today, but unfortunately a couple of the regular Monday riders had to be back early for family commitments. So just Linda and me out today. It's August Bank Holiday Monday, but since life is not normal atm, that means absolutely nothing, except the banks are shut. As it turned out so was our planned tea stop, but we found a better one, so it all turned out for the best. It's unseasonably cool again, and I think only 7 degrees when we set off. Brrrr.
A long skinny route today, so as to keep it around 40 max for Linda. (she did 42 in the end). Trying to avoid the usual start, we set off crossing Simons Lane, and through to the Bearwood Road, and through Winnersh Traffic Lights. All very quiet this morning being a holiday.
route
We were heading for Stoke Row, which meant crossing over the Thames at Sonning, then some climbing of course up to Dunsden Green where we turned left into Church Lane.
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looking back, at Church Lane, Dunsden
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At the junction of Emmer Green Road
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Linda wearing a jolly red top today, waiting whilst I photographed the hay bales.
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Now to Kidmore End and big puddle at the junction with the church, reflecting the building.
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Old Well Cottage, opposite the church
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As Linda waited whilst I took the last photo, I noticed her hair backlit in the sunshine. 😊
At Wyfold Lane crossroads, we stopped for a few minutes and chatted to a couple who had twins, one on each bike. They were trying to decide the easiest route to Stoke Row, avoiding any hills. Well I've never found one! Good luck with that!! We were heading for Hook End Lane into Checkendon. Linda had not done this lane before, and I hadn't told her about the hill. 😀 As we finally drop down into Stoke Row, half a dozen cyclist were outside the village shop already. But it was shut. Oh no! Turns out they are always closed on Bank Holidays, but also they are now closing every Sunday. (Lots of cyclist up here on Sundays normally).
My intention was to turn next right (down Busgrove Lane), but I suggested we go a little further into Stoke Row first, to see if we could find a bench in the sunshine. Then we noticed a board outside the Cherry Tree pub "Hot drinks from 10am". Sorted. They had several tables booked for lunch, but plenty time for us to get some tea at around 11am. They don't do cakes, but they are hoping to offer them soon, now that the Stoke Row Stores is closing on Sundays. (plenty of passing cyclist trade). They did serve a little biscotti with a pot of tea, so all much better than a cardboard cup. And toilets of course which the Village store does not have, so all in all, turned out for the best.
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Pretty Cottage on our detour
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Jasmine cottage on our detour.
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From Binfield Heath, back to Dunsden, Playhatch and Sonning, then a wiggle through Woodley trying to find an alternative route to Sandford Lane.
Didnt ever feel too warm today, but definitely feeling more like autumn than summer. Well done Linda, who reported not even feeling tired when she got home. Lucky her!
