Pet Barn to home via Stoke Row for tea with Debi - 22 miles

on

With no ride buddy today, I decided to hitch a lift with John who was starting a ride with Dave at the Pet Barn. They were heading to cross the Thames at Whitchurch, whilst I arranged to meet my (non cycling)  friend Debi, at The Cherry Tree Inn, Stoke Row.  Then I would ride home.

Route

There had been a lot of overnight rain, and I had to ride through several floods today at low points in the Chiltern Lanes. A good test for my new bike, which would inevitably need yet another clean later today (thank you John... if you insist.😘 )

All looking good as I enter Wyfold Road from Kidmore End

But it gets pretty horrible as I cycle through towards Checkendon

The "bluebell" lane from Wyfold to Checkendon.
A bit gloomy here today.

Outdoor covered seating area at The Cherry Tree - not exactly busy this morning

I arrived a few minutes before Debi, who drove from her home just about 10 mins from here.  She was impressed that I had cycled all this way, so I had to admit that I had only at this point ridden 6.5 miles from Sonning Common... but ALL up hill😁.

A very nice pot of tea for me, and coffee for Debi, and although they had no cakes available today, they gave us a plate of homemade shortbreads. They didn't charge for those, so that was a nice gesture.  We chatted for an hour or more, before we went our separate ways.

I had planned a route of 37 miles returning via Harpsden, then Henley, and the Walthams, but with possible rain forecast, winds increasing, and darking skies, I decided to come home the most direct route, which is down to Dunsten Green and across Sonning Bridge. 

Not far after the Bird in Hand on that little lane, there was a huge flood, but I thought no way am turning back now! Sticking to the middle of the road, I charged through, got my feet a bit wet, but made it.   As I came closer to Emmer Green Road, the sky ahead was getting darker, and darker.

Nr Emmer Green Road, darkening skies in my homeward direction.

I very nearly got soaked by a van coming towards me who made great waves going through a huge puddle next to Loddon Brewery😡 I had to wait for the waves to settle before I rode through.   I flew downhill from Dunsden Green,  through Sonning and carried on to Charvil. Then down Sandford Lane. Plenty of large puddles around Wokingham and our patio very wet, but amazingly I stayed dry. Well my body did. Feet were soaked.

Great to see Debi and catch up. We normally would be meeting for dinner pre-Christmas, but not possible this year.