Wokingham to Wellington Farm Shop - 26 miles (?)

After 3 days of grandparenting, I'm free again, and a late decision to go out cycling today. A quick message around a few friends, and Linda was free to join me. She led the route, and I cycled over to Finchampstead to meet her. My Garmin ran out of juice after just 0.4 miles, so no log today, but probably around 26 miles to Welly Farm shop and back on the route we took today.

With rain due around mid day, we went a direct route there, and kept a fair speed of about 12.5mph, which is quite fast enough for me! On my road bike today, but legs pretty knackered after 3 days on my feet with kids!!

The route took us out on the Arborfield Greenway, over Farley Hill, and then into Part Lane Swallowfield. The landscape was not so photogenic today, with grey skies and lots of crops cut down, so no pictures until we arrived at the farm shop. 

I hadn't been here since they did loads of work during lockdown, so was interested to see how it looked. Linda tried to pre-book a table, but nothing available indoors, but plenty of tables outdoors, which was fine for us.   I was surprised that there were no cycle racks, but perhaps they will be provided when all the landscaping is finished. 

Bikes propped against the brick wall, but bike racks would be good!
The landscaping not yet finished.

Views beyond the farm shop

After a good old natter, we felt a bit chilly, since the weather was now changing and skies looking more threatening as we returning via Bull Lane. The crop here is Maize, which is really dull, but becoming more and popular it seems, growing for cattle feed I think, and also for pheasants to nest prior to shooting.

We came back on the Swallowfield Road, which has just reopened after being closed for the completion of a new junction. I drove on this road just yesterday, and it is strange how you can get confused by a simple junction change! A simple offset junction, where the road used to be straight, and soon a new road will link as a by pass. But for today.... it was empty!

The new road cutting through to provide a bypass. On the right,
a cycle lane in place, but we turn right here to continue on the old road.

Now through Arborfield and California Park, where we went our separate ways. I then bumped into Linda's husband on his bike on his way home from a recci ride north of Wokingham. 11.50 now and still not raining. I returned via Blagrove Lane and spotted these horses through the trees.

Writing this at 2pm and only had a few spits and spots so far, but now the spots are joining up on the patio.