At last on our 3rd attempt, Karan and I met up today. Our last ride was in August on a scorching hot day! Our more recent attempts had been postponed due to weather, or tier restrictions, or lockdowns......and today it was touch and go with the forecast once more. We reckoned on a dry(ish) weather window for a couple of hours from 10.30, so kept our ride local so that we were never too far from home. Karan was of course happy to ride a few extra miles, so rode to meet me at Cantley. Great that she finally got a new wheel for her gravel bike that she has been waiting on for months. This meant we were on a level pegging equipment wise, but could I keep up? 😟 Having ridden 503 miles in January, I am definitely more fit than I was..... but so is Karan, who has been doing Zwift training when not outdoors.
Heading north from Wokingham, for a ride of a couple of hours, meant only one destination..... Crazies Hill. Just a case of which way there, and which way back. We chatted all the way there and back, so it didn't matter that we had each ridden these roads to death for the past few months. The Breeze Network have a challenge running for the next 2 weeks called "Capture the Moment" and have been encouraged to post some photos with some "words" by Area Champion Rachael using #Letsridethroughwinter so I took a few of my usual photos on this ride to use on the Breeze page.
Our outward journey took us through Hurst passing the Church, then towards Twyford past the Vineyard and through Ruscombe onto Tag Lane, then the edge of Wargrave to Crazies Hill Road.
This photo is one of the first places I stopped when I first road to Crazies Hill with John a few years ago. It's an interesting little view, and changes every time depending on the weather conditions. Today.... a heavy sky seem to suit B&W treatment.
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| Approaching Crazies Hill |
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| Only one person in the Que at the Horsebox takeaway, so we stopped for a cuppa. We chatted to 3 lady walkers for a few minutes. |
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| Is the sky looking brighter? |
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| Fed and watered, we're off on our return route. |
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| As we pass Velo Life Cafe, blue skies and lovely views towards the Chilterns. |
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| A cyclist coming towards us..... my hubby. |
We stopped for just a couple of minutes to speak to John, and then as soon as we set off, the heavens opened. Not a very pleasant ride across Bottle Lane to White Waltham with driving rain!
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| I often photograph this lone tree at the railway bridge , but the miserable looking walkers added something else to the scene today. |
We turned left and did a loop passing White Waltham Church which meant going UP Church Road... Karan's idea! I prefer coming down this road.
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| A glimmer of sunshine on the clock face, with dark clouds all around |
It was a battle against the wind as we turned into Howe Lane, and was thankful to turn right at the roundabout and head towards Beenham Heath then Shurlock Row. My average speed at this point was 13.7 and I have never ridden that fast before.... not even on my ebike. AND a 20mph head wind, so by the time we had to cross the motorway bridge into Wokingham my legs were a little weary. Karan left me at Forest Road and I continued home. When I switched off my Garmin, I got a new "Fastest 40K badge". My average by the end dropped to 13.2, but that is still a record for me.
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| Wet shoes and gloves, yet again. |
Thank you Karan for your good company and pushing me a little faster than usual. I hope I didn't slow you down tooooo much? See you again soon.