November 30th, another foggy day and around 6 degrees. I was originally due to ride with Susie, but due to other commitments, we decided a few days ago, that we would do a walk instead after lunch. I teamed up with Gill, and suggested a shorter ride, since I had to be back in time for my walk! Since she had never been up Dell Road, that was our mission. (she was with Andrea at the bottom of Dell Road a couple of weeks ago, when Andrea had an accident, and their ride came to a dramatic halt). This is my last ride of the month and including a couple of rides I forgot to record, my stats tell me that I have done 500 miles this month. Time for some chocolate to celebrate😄
route
We met at Woosehill and just for variety, went down the Barkham Road and left into Edneys Hill and rode all the way through to the Finchampstead Road, then crossed over passing Ludgrove School.
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near Ludgrove School
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Next over the ford at Redlake Lane and down Honey Hill. At the junction we turned sharp right and onto a path which has quite recently been improved and which I only found out about whilst walking with Linda B on our last walk. The day we walked it was busy with horses, walkers and cyclists, but today.... nobody else at all. This joins to Heathlands Road, where we turned left then straight across and through Ravenswood. (turned out Gill had not been here before). Then across East Berkshire golf course (Gill not been here either). I did not know at this point that I would be walking all around this golf course after lunch with Susie. A very nice walk. Unfortunately (for us) the course will re open on Thursday when lockdown lifts, so no more golf course walks.... until next lockdown😉
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Empty Golf Course
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our cycle route through the golf course
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Gill enjoying the golf course views
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Next, passing Crowthorne station, and to Ambarrow Lane, past Horseshoe Lakes, and to Yateley.
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The pretty tudor house at Up Green, just before Eversley
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Now a gentle climb on Longwater Road, and I must admit I had not ever noticed this lake on our left, but with the leaves off the trees, a nice glimpse through. (notice of roadworks on Longwater Lane starting... long overdue. The surface in places is very dangerous for cyclists.
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Lake at Longwater Road
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So, Dell Road now approaching fast. I stopped for a photo part way up, whilst Gill kept going to the top. Heart rate up, but no problem for Gill. That's one off the list then.
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| Gill ahead whilst I stop for the photo below |
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The only benefit of the fog is that the views from Dell Road do not include those
horrible plastic tunnels. They just disappear in the fog! |
Rather that the normal route to cross over into Wick Hill Lane, which would be particularly muddy, we turned left then right into Church Lane, Finchampstead. (Gill had not been here either!) Since she had never been, we detoured to stop at the church for a few minutes and I was telling Gill about the film I made a few years ago. I wrote a poem and then filmed in this churchyard, with the help of friends, including cycling buddies. It's called "The Bench". You can watch it here on my youtube channel (6 mins long)
Watch THE BENCH |
The bench at St James Church. My filmed named after the bench
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Original church 1120 and red brick tower added 1720
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From the church, we drop down White Horse Lane (new to Gill), and I stopped for one last photo at the lovely group of trees on the hill. Was hoping for more fog, but still liked it anyway.
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White Horse Lane
We rode through California Park for a cuppa, but quite a queue so abandoned the idea, to avoid getting cold. Back home via Blagrove Lane.
Thanks for joining me Gill, and a bonus that we covered some new ground that I didn't realise you had not ridden before.
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