Lockdown ride to Holyport -28 miles

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For at least the next 4 weeks, England is in lockdown once more. Not so bad as it was in March, since we can buddy up with someone from another household for exercise... but no more than 2 can ride together (unless they live together). My normal WLC Group had an odd number today, so I offered to find another cycling buddy. I contacted a lady I have met through leading recent Breeze rides, called Louise. She is gutted that Breeze rides have been cancelled since she has only just got going, and has really loved all the rides. Our Friday group will swap around over the coming weeks depending on how many of our group of 6 are available each week. 

Our destination was Holyport, having checked that The Cuppa cafe is open for takeaways. Louise had not been there before. Sadly all restaurants, cafes and bars are only permitted to offer takeaways, and in most cases the toilets are also not available. 😢

Route

We cut through to St Paul's Church yard on our route out of Wokingham, via the pedestrian bridge over the railway, and the light was looking really nice. It had a been a thick fog this morning and only 2 degrees, as the fog was just burning off as we started our ride.


We left Wokingham through Cantley Park, and onto the new cycle paths to the Binfield Road. 

Binfield Road

We avoided Monks Alley which is a no go until the spring for me now I expect. Just too messy. Passing the Jack o' Newbury downhill, we headed to Ryehurst Lane, then down the two roads called Westley Mill.

Views from Westley Mill Road. Love the dappled sky today

And now through Paley Street, and to Money Row Green as we head to Holyport. 

The Cuppa

Louise managed to transport our hot drinks in her saddle bag, and we headed to the bench by the village pond, which was bathed in sunshine. 

Holyport Green
War Memorial next to the phone box
Long shadows from the low autumn sun,where we sat on a bench

We did a little exploring around Holyport before retracing our steps as far as Paley Street, then continued to Waltham St Lawrence, passing the primary school, and left into Brook Lane. Finally passing the Castle at Hurst, we used the lanes back to Dinton Pastures entrance. There seemed to be a lot of white vans there today and we went to check out what was going on. Film crew we decided. Maybe others who were at the park today might update me on what was happening. 

So, we started in 2 degrees and finished in 10 degrees. Beautiful day.