Sulhamstead via Three Mile Cross - 39 miles

Boris spoke to the nation last night, and at last we have light at the end of the tunnel. Another few weeks and it's hoped that lockdown will start to ease slowly, and by April, will be able to meet a few more people outdoors. 60-65s are expecting to have their first vaccines by end of March, so it will depend on how that goes and how the R number will be affected by schools returning on 9th March. But at least we are now given hope of a more normal summer this year. (Apart from foreign holidays).

I was out with Cathy today, since we had delayed from yesterday after seeing today's SUNNY forecast. Yah!!!  BUT still a stupidly strong wind, gusting up to 35 mph at times. I did scream more than once when I thought I was going to be blown over. 

Route

We met at Woosehill and rode over to Winnersh crossroads, left and used Mill Lane to connect to Lower Earley. Next, Cutbush Lane, crossing over the pedestrian bridge over the M4 and following this to Shinfield where we wiggled through the roads to allow us to cross straight over into Church Lane. We contiued straight into Bolton Drive until a workman told us we had to use a slightly different route, since road was blocked. A slight detour, then we decided to change my planned route and cycle across the paths through the fields towards the white school building. We stopped for a couple of photos. 

Loved this cloud, which we both thought looked like a fish.

We wiggled over the paths which are a good surface, as far as the school, then there is a missing link which is muddy to connect to another path a little further left, in full view, but for some reason, not connected. Following this path, we came to a gate, then joined a narrow muddy path once through the gate, to emerge on Hyde End Lane, where we picked up the Garmin route I  had planned. 

Now we head over the A33 using the cycle path at the traffic lights (since its buses only allowed straight over), and after a couple more turns, soon we turned into the pretty Kybes Lane. We stopped at the end for a quick slug of water, before turning right and under the railarch.

End of Kybes Lane, where we turn right. Very vivid field opposite

We continue straight once under the rail arch, passing the Classic Car garage (nothing there), then left and around the perimeter of the AWE Burghfield site. At the end, a right turn onto Goring Lane, and next right into James Lane, where we gradually climb into Burghfield. 

As we cut through the triangle in the middle of the village, a large lorry appeared to have stopped at the junction,, where we wanted to go straight across. We stopped behind him, then started again, aiming to go round him, just at the point where I realised he was about to move. I pulled on my brakes, and promptly fell off! My right clipped in shoe meant that I fell onto my arm, wrist and hip all at the same time. Ouch. My wrist is bruising quite nicely as I write this, but thankfully not too painful.

Once I recomposed myself, we crossed straight over into Theale Road, which is a very quiet road and soon we come to this sign. 

Views opposite Trash Green signpost

This road continues, and at some traffic lights, the road narrows to single file and is a 10% switchback  road, called Hose Hill. Wheeee. Soon we are alongside Hose Hill Lakes and stop for a quick look.

The wind whipping across Hose Hill Lake

Cathy at Hose Hill Lake

Skirting the edge of the lake, we soon turn into Bottom Lane. (We have passed the end of this road on a previous route to Theale). Bottom lane is very flat and easy going, then at the end we have a bit of a two stage climb to Sulhamstead. Once we join Sulhamstead Hill Road, we soon turn left into Kingston Lane.... a long drag, but not too steep. At the top, the name changes to White Hill where we zoom down, then not quite so zoomy up again, and soon we see the pretty church of Sulhamstead Abbots on our left.

Sulhamstead Abbots Church 

We are almost at our coffee stop in Mortimer Common, but have two more whizzy down and not so whizzy up agains to do, crossing over little streams before we get there. Now onto the coffee stop, which is to be a takeaway on West End Road. As we arrived, I said to Cathy, this isn't the name I was expecting to see ... Baobab.....and it was SHUT. Well there was a sign saying they do tea/coffee and it is open every day, except it wasn't. Fortunately we had brought a snack bar and had our water, so backtracked to sit by the village pond.

With Cathy next to Mortimer Common Pond

So... I check up on this coffee shop now that I am home and realise that the one I had in mind almost backs onto the one we went to. We should have gone straight on and not turned left. It's called Mortimer Cafe, open 7 days a week.

Backtracking to West End Road, passing the closed shop, we soon turn left at a mini roundabout into Drury Lane. This lane we like a lot. It's all downhill! We turn right at the bottom, as if heading to Silchester, but then left into Park Lane, crossing the railway line. This road can be flooded at times but all good atm. 

This emerald green field just as we cross the railbridge.

Cathy carries on up the steady climb, as I stop for my photo and I catch her up as we near the top turning right, then left into Green Lane and head around Stratfield Saye. From there, we decided to do the A33 dash today using Barge Lane, instead of under the A33 on Bull Lane.

Stopping briefly on Barge Lane as we approach the A33 to run across

We return via Swallowfield Road heading to Arborfield Cross, then straight over onto Mole Road, which is currently closed to traffic. 

A bank of cloud about to block out the sun, as we reach the end of 
Swallowfield Road

From Sindlesham we decide to try using Sadlers End, next to the Walter Arms Pub on Bearwood Road. It was bit muddy, but not too bad.

Thanks for your good company Cathy. Cuppa tea next trip! I did 39 miles and I think 44ish for Cathy. What a beautiful day to be out, apart from the pesky wind.