Wokingham to Hurley - 29 miles

on

I so enjoyed getting frozen yesterday, that I did it all again today😨. First outing of thermal vest and hand warmers today. By the time I got home, I had clocked up 160 miles in the last 5 days. Having a day off tomorrow.

Friday ride with Woosehill ladies today. Martina has a new bike!  4 of us set off in 2 groups of two, due to current Covid restrictions, but we returned with just 3. (Jeanette and Andrea still resting up at home, and I promised them an interesting but uneventful blog. I failed. But hope you enjoy reading this ladies)

route

Lynne led our ride today across to Hurley, initially heading past Cantley, and we met up with Gill in the Hurst Lanes where it was very foggy.

Pound Lane, Hurst

We rode through Shurlock Row to Beenhams Heath and still terrible visibility.
Smewins Road, Beenham Heath. Liked the lines of the telegraph wires and pole

Brrr.

Getting even worse? Kiln Lane approaching White Waltham

Kiln Lane nose blow stop

Over the railway bridge on Bottle Lane, and the group of trees I often stop to photograph were barely visible, so this lone tree was the star today.

Bottle Lane, White Waltham

Knowl Hill bridal circuit.
The ladies ahead as I stop for a photo

Now up Burchetts Green Lane, which officially was closed but we managed to squeeze through past a digger and some barriers, then left at The Crown pub. Heading now up hill towards the Dew Drop Inn which warmed us up. But temperature still around freezing. As we stopped on Honey Lane, above Hurley, the frost line was very clear where no sun has yet reached it. 

Honey Lane views.   Brrrr.

As Lynne and Martina set off ahead of us downhill and out of sight, Gill said "hold on a minute", since she felt a bit light headed. I know that feeling all too well, and its not nice. (I tried a few times to call L&M but could not get a hold of them...ignoring their phones. ) Lynne eventually called me and I suggested they just carry on whilst I wait with Gill to see if she recovers. (they would go into Hurley.)

Gill was able to sit on a log, thankfully in sunshine, but decided best to "phone a friend" to come collect her, rather than cycle down the  steep hill ahead. 

Gill and me parked up and waited in the sunshine for her hubby John to arrive

By the time John arrived, Gill thankfully had a bit of colour back in her cheeks, but decided to call it a day. I said I would drop down the hill but not go through Hurley. Instead I would go along the main road and next left up Rose Lane, and stop for a cuppa at the horsebox at Crazies Hill, thinking I might even meet up with L&M there. John and Gill decided to do the same. The main Henley road was in shade and absolutely freezing! I was glad to get off into Rose Lane, which was bathed in sunshine.

Peeking over a gate on Rose Lane,frost still in the shady bits

same shot. I prefer the B&W 
Rose Lane
Rose Lane looking to Crazies Hill
Half way up now.

Gill and John at the hatch. John kindly bought us all a hot drink,
and a fab chocolate brownie for me too😋. L&M arrived 2 mins before me. 

As Gill and John drove home, we continued our ride, now with just 3 and I loved the mist around the "old barn" at Upper Wargrave. L&M continued, and I pressed my magic button to catch up. Too cold to stop for long with gloves off.




Fastest route home pretty much now, and through Ruscombe and Hurst Lanes to Winnersh. A message from Gill to say safely home, feeling fine, with her feet in the Aga.😂

Thanks for leading Lynne. First time we did this route you may remember was just the two of us, on a sweltering day in June when we were hunting for shade to cool us down.......

June on a scorchio day Hurley.