Friday already, and the WLCG did not get off to a good start this morning with rain forecast to continue until at least 11am. We had planned to go to Hartley Wintney, but scrapped that idea since Swallowfield and Eversley could be problematic with all the recent rain. Martina and Lynne decided to give it a miss but Gill and I agreed to meet after 1pm, by which time the sun was out. With Sandford Lane flooded, we agreed to meet in Twyford at 1.30.
I gave myself a few minutes extra so that I had time to stop off for some photos enroute, and also incase I needed to reroute if any of my planned route to get to Twyford also flooded!
Route
My first stop was crossing the A329 out of Wokingham. Loved the clouds.
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| Opposite side of A329M |
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| Lines Road Hurst |
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| Lines Road Hurst... oops! here we go. |
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There have been loads of birds in the fields here recently. To do with the wet?
Near the junction of Davies Street and Lines Road |
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| Junction of Davies Street, Hurst |
There is where I would ideally have met Gill, if she could have come down Sandford Lane. As I turned into Church Hill, to climb to the church, a huge puddle across the road.
(John was about an hour ahead of me on a ride, and he called to advise that Church Lane was flooded but passable, unlike Crazies Hill road, which was too deep and road closed today.) So I knew I would be ok, but I did have an "oh shit" moment, when I went over some very uneven bits and almost lost it.
Crossing through Hurst, I rode into Hogmoor Lane, to be faced with this next flood. The one in the photo was fine. I went through then decided to turn back since the next flood went around the bend ahead, and not knowing how far it would go, I bottled out and decided to reroute along Hinton Road, passing the Green Man pub.
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| Twyford Brook in flood |
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| At Twyford Brook |
Gill and I now rode through Ruscombe, and down to the London Road to cross the A4 at Hare Hatch. It was an interesting few minutes since the road was covered in water, both sides, and vehicles coming towards had the potential to absolutely soak us as they passed! I was furiously waving my arms and giving a thumbs up to the drivers who thankfully slowed down to avoid a huge wash of water and spray.
Now down Mumberry Hill, crossing Wargrave and towards Crazies Hill, but with the road closed, a detour around via Highfield Road. A bit messy and unfortunately a van following at the low point. Now passing Velolife, we had to come through another flood at Warren Row. (next photo)
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| Warren Row as we cross back over the A4 into Bottle Lane |
Not surprising that Bottle Lane was also very wet, but never completely flooded. We took the cycle path across the fields and the light was amazing, just for a few minutes.
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| Knowl Hill cycle path towards White Waltham |
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| Crossing Knowl Hill cycle route. Nice to see some green in the fields once more |
Breadcroft Lane into White Waltham, Smewins Road to Beenhams Heath and Shurlock Row, then up Billingbear Road to join Carters Hill, and back to Wokingham on the Forrest Road. Gill left me at Emmbrook and headed home along the Reading Road.
Thanks for your good company Gill, and even though a late start, definitely the right decision to get out. I am just 36 miles short of 500 miles this month..... might need to get out over the weekend !
