New Years Day Ride to Beech Hill via three Mile Cross - 28 miles

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It's 2021.  At times, it felt like we would never get here as we trudged our way through 2020, and all the misery that it brought. A 7pm family zoom quiz last night, led by Autumn in New York, then yet another night watching Telly, we were in bed by 11.30pm.... only to be wakened by fireworks. 


John is wearing a wig by the way!!

We needed to be super alert, and not hungover today for a ride with Gill and her husband John, riding 2x2 to meet the current restrictions. John and John had not met before, and we had planned to ride from Bradfield, but last night decided that the forecast was just too cold. (Bradfield area is even colder). A strange morning with no ice, or frost but below freezing for the whole ride. 

Route

We met up with Gill and John C at Lower Earley, and agreed that it was coooold, so we would see how we got on, and were prepared to cut the ride short if anyone/everyone was freezing.  We used Cutbush Lane pedestrian bridge to get us over the M4 and downhill then to Three Mile Cross. From there, the route I had planned would take us to Mortimer and Silchester, but as we reached Three Mile Cross, a few flakes of snow, and then it turned a bit nasty. Three of us were warm enough, but John C was clearly cold and suffering with very cold fingers, and we decided best all round if we took the shorter route back. 

So, after going under the railway arch at Grazeley, we turned left then left  again into Goodboys Lane, to take us to Beech Hill. It was actually too cold to stop for photos today, and take gloves off, which was a shame because the landscape was looking pretty. So just a couple taken at a nose blow stop. The snow thankfully stopped by this time.

Passing the entrance to Wokefield Park on Goodboys Lane

2x2.... plus 1 for the photo.

A loop then to near Wellington Farm shop, which warmed us up climbing Welsh Lane. (At this point Gill had one of those "I know where I am now" moments.) Then we dropped down under the A33 on Bull Lane and continued on Part Lane, Swallowfield.  A climb next over Farley Hill, and one that Gill had not done before. John C was naturally first up, and did it twice in an attempt to keep warm. 😄

Next using the cycle path past Bowhunt School into Hogwood Industrial Estate, we stopped at California Park for a warm drink.  It was very welcome, but on reflection stopping was perhaps a mistake, as my hands never warmed up again until I got home.

A few families around for takeaway drinks at California Country Park

John and I returned via Nashgrove Lane/Blagrove Lane saying goodbye to Gill and John as they continued up Barkham Ride to ride home on Bearwood Road. 

Thanks for your good company and hoping that we can get the planned ride from Bradfield done soon on a warmer day. Good to see you are making good use of your Aga. Our under floor heating great for feet too! I was awarded  a Garmin badge today for "Strong Start" as in off to a good start in 2021.

John and Gill thawing out.