Wokingham to Crazies Hill via Warfield - 37 miles

The plan today was to ride with Lucy, Karan and Daphne. Have not seen L&K for months. A few days ago, we learned we could no longer venture into Hampshire where our ride was due to start in Odiham. (we were at that point in tier 3 and Hampshire was tier 2). Then we decided to start in Bradfield. Next we decided the weather was too uncertain, and we would just ride locally. And finally we learned 48 hours ago that we are now in tier 4 which also means only 2 people can meet up. So we left it that L&K would meet as they often do on a Monday, and Daphne and I would meet separately The forecast still pretty bad, but since we had absolutely nothing else in our diaries.... we kept it flexible and finally met up at 10.30 by which time it was just light drizzle.

We liaised at Easthampstead Road, at Ludgrove School driveway.  Enroute, I spotted SEVEN Heron gathering by the flood in the field. I have seen 3 or 4 before but never this many. I wonder what attracts them to this field? Clearly there are no fish. It's not a pond, just a flooded bit of field.  Wrong camera for wildlife, but all 7 are in this photo.

We cross Wokingham and pick up the Binfield Road, then skirting the village, we drop down Jocks Lane, and cross over to use the cycle path through the edge of the Warfield Estate. It was a long time since either of us had gone up this hill which is a challenge just at the start, then levels out and very easy going. 

Views to Cabbage Hill, Warfield

Sculpture on Cabbage Hill

At the end of the cycle path we cross straight over onto another cycle path, which is called Watersplash Lane, then a left and at the Plough and Harrow straight over into Osborne Lane. I can't believe I had never been on this lane before. Very pretty with little cottages. It connects to Church Lane, which I am very familiar with, where we turn left and pass Frost Folly car park. Then we head to Bottle Lane.

Bottle Lane.  Dark clouds and lovely winter trees. 

Bottle Lane trees

Next we are heading to drop down Church Lane, White Waltham, passing Waltham Place. Daphne seems surprised that we are here, and I think has only ever come up the hill... but is a lot more enjoyable going down! We stop for a short visit to the Church part way down the hill.

The Norman church of St Mary's, White Waltham

Now we are heading for Warren Row, and we meet this little lot out cycling on the Knowl hill circuit. They are twins, and big brother. The twin in the yellow hat was on his own as we passed, clearly fallen off and was filthy. What  a handful. Their Mum was walking very fast to keep up with them!

As we are riding passed Velo Life, which we assumed closed, we notice two ladies sitting on a bench outside, eating and drinking. Is it open? YES!!! So we park up and Daphne goes inside for a coffee and tea in take away cups. Seconds later John and Dave are cycling passed, so stop to chat and Dave gets all excited at the prospect of a coffee. We are then told that we need to "move away" since its takeaway only, and we cant linger on the frontage,  so the boys don't bother. We down our drinks asap and we are on our way, letting the boys start off a minute before us. 

From Crazies Hill we drop down part way to Wargrave to cross Dark Lane, then climb to cross the A4, and over to Ruscombe. Once across the railway, we pull up for a moment, and low and behold John and Dave appear again. (they had gone via Tag Lane). Daphne and I drop down through Broad Hinton to Hurst, and back to Wokingham passing Cantley. We pull up to say our goodbyes, only to find that we are in the middle of a "COVID testing station, with constant traffic pulling in. 

I get home, to find John just seconds ahead of me. A different route, but similar mileage. Well done Daphne. Your recorded mileage of 32.6 on your Strava must be wrong, since mine was 37 (even through my Garmin did not record it.)