Cycling this week has not been for the faint hearted. It's been -7 overnight, so icy conditions on any roads where flooding or leaking water from fields is still hanging around. But the forecast today was to include plenty of sunshine, so that makes a huge difference. So I was delighted that the usual 4 WLCG members were all keen to come out, in 2x2 formation. (In normal times I am sure we would all have stayed at home, but getting out is SO important to us atm. )
The missing members of our group Jeanette and Andrea continue well on their separate roads to recovery. I walked to Wokingham with Jeanette yesterday, and she plans a 10 mile ride next week with hubby once it warms up. Andrea reports today that she is now walking without crutches outdoors for short distances, and hopes to get on a bike in the garage soon. The cold has made it difficult this past few weeks, but excellent news.
We agreed that 20 miles would be enough, and I planned a route that gave us the option to head home after 13 miles.... at which point, we all felt warm enough still, so we did the whole route. We also used more main roads than normal today, which have all been gritted, to avoid any icy patches so not so sociable at times, but it was good to keep a reasonable pace going to keep warm.
Over the motorway bridge out of Wokingham warmed us up nicely but there were some severe gusts of winds at time in any exposed roads today. Then up Carters Hill, where I braved taking my gloves off for a moment for a couple of photos.
Lynne and Martina reaching the top of Carters Hill |
Views from Carters Hill. Looks are deceptive... it was cold! |
Now to Howe Lane, Bottle Lane and then a right turn using the Maidenhead Road to Warfield traffic lights. Now we use the cycle path along the edge of Warfield Estate, where the pond says it all.
Brrrr. |
Next a climb into Binfield to warm us up again, using Tilehurst Lane at the Stag and Hounds, and with a loop around Binfield, we return to Wokinham on the Binfield Road. This is our 13 mile opt out point, but apart from a quick snack stop, we soon continue down Plough Lane, and connect to Waterloo Road at Clay Lane.
The next section on Waterloo Road, was really exposed and gusty, and is where the new Southern Distribution Road will cross. It looks awful at the moment, and very sad that we are losing such pretty countryside. Next, a section of road I have never ridden, but needs must in these conditions, and this is the Old Wokingham Road. Although we are in lockdown, we had quite a Q of traffic behind us as we turned off into Easthampstead Road.
Plenty of open countryside still as we join Easthampstead Road. |