WLCG today, and since we are still only able to meet with one other person, we set off 2x2. I managed a short visit to the front door of our poorly member Andrea this week, who continues to improve to walk a little further, after her accident. I also walked with Jeanette yesterday, who continues to improve after her surgery. We walked about 3 miles on a lovely local route. We miss you ladies, and hope that by spring, when its warmer, you will once more be able to join us.
I sent Gill the GPX route a couple of days ago, so that she could download to her new Wahoo device and give her the chance to lead today, with one other, whilst I brought up the rear most of the time several yards behind.
It was forecast at around 0-3 degrees today in Wokingham, but since a fair amount of our ride went into the Chilterns, the average ride temperature was infact 30 degrees (-1.1) average. Brrr. I had however planned this route so that we had a fair amount of climbing off and on, to help keep us warm.
Having met up with Gill at her house on Sandford Lane, we headed over to Sonning to cross the Thames. I had been here twice this week already, and the high levels of water last Sunday have certainly dropped a bit, although still running high. (Rain due next week, will not be good).
Our climb through Playhatch to Dunsden Green warmed us all up nicely, then a gradual climb to Kidmore End. A bit too cold for taking gloves off again today, so just a few photos.
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| Church Lane, Dunsden Green. Gloomy skies |
As we reached the piggies on Busgrove Lane, we suddenly noticed that the trees ahead were white. It looked almost like a spring blossom, but it was in fact snow. We had a few flakes a few miles back but it came to nothing. (John on a similar ride today, left this same road at the previous crossroads, via Checkendon Equestrian Centre to Stoke Row. He had slush on the ground and a bit more snow on the trees, the cold coming up the valley from Benson, where its always colder. )
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| Snow dressed branches |
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| Lynne and Martina pass under the snow capped trees. |
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| Gill waiting for the photographer on Busgrove Lane |
Having warmed up nicely on our climb to Stoke Row, I suggested that we don't stop for a drink since it would have chilled us down and we had some downhills ahead of us, so wanted to stay warm. We dropped down at a fair speed, about 20mph, to Highmoor Cross and then a climb up again to join the B481. That downhill section felt really cold!
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| At Highmoor Cross |
Now down Rocky Lane, a narrow, downhill lane to bring us out at the rear entrance to NT Greys Court. I heard a horrible noise on the way down Rocky Lane, and thought I had a puncture, but thankfully just my mudguard had got knocked, and was rubbing on my tyre. Quickly sorted. I really didn't fancy the idea of fixing a puncture with cold hands. 😔
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| Lynne goes ahead on Remenham Lane as I stop for a photo |
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| Looking across the Thames to Hambleden Valley from Remenham Lane |
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| Tea stop at Crazies Hill horse box |
We returned from Crazies Hill via Dark Lane, Wargrave and across to Ruscombe then Hurst.
