I was out today with Lucy, having not managed to see her for months. We had postponed from a couple of weeks ago due to rain, then again yesterday due to a last minute commitment from Lucy. It was just as well we postponed from yesterday, since I wasn't feeling great following my first Covid vaccination the day before. A bit nauseous and wiped out, so if Lucy hadnt cancelled, it would have been me. But thankfully overnight, I recovered. Quite a few friends seemed to have had some side effects for a few days infact, so I got off lightly.
I haven't actually cycled 1-1 with Lucy before. She normally cycles in a group with ladies who are more keen to up the pace, and push themselves to ride faster than I do. I remember Lucy once telling me that she managed a ride at 14.9mph average speed, when aiming for 15mph. My best to date is 13.2mph which was on a ride I did with Lucy's regular cycling buddy, Karan. But I was knackered by the end. So today I knew I would be pushing myself, but my legs can only go as fast as they can go.😁
Lucy drove to start at my house and our first stage was up Sandford Lane the across Sonning to Dunster. A tractor was following us up the hill at one point, and finally overtook. Very pleasant smell 😖... and then we past him dumping his load at Emmer Green crossroads.
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| what a huge pile of poo! |
Next to Kidmore End, and brief stop at the pond where the Willow tree is breaking bud now.
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| Kidmore End Pond |
Next down Mill Lane, which is the horrible lane, almost a track, to get us across the A4074. I warned Lucy what was coming ie steep at the end, and where I had last time messed up my gearing and had to get off. I was therefore pleased that I did it today, as did Lucy, who was still in her BIG chainwheel. Lucy is powerful for sure! Now our gradual climb to Goring Heath, where we turn left at the crossroads and soon start to drop downhill, followed immediately by an up hill and we turn a sharp right bend. (next photo)
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| nose blow stop before we drop down into Whitchurch |
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| beautiful Hawthorne trees as we enter Whitchurch |
Across Whitchurch bridge, and into Pangbourne. The nice coffee shop I used last time, Baxters, is only open Friday/Saturday so today we used an Italian takeaway for coffee whose only offering of anything to eat was Tiramisu, Cheesecake, or Baklava. Not ideal for a bike ride, so another nut snack today. There is nowhere to sit, unfortunately so we had to put up with the traffic passing through Pangbourne.
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| Kybes Lane, Nr Three Mile Cross |
The last leg was through Church Lane, Shinfield, and then Cutbush Lane to Lower Early.
We had a headwind some of the route today, and by the end I was feeling a little weary, whereas Lucy was still powering ahead until the last. Our average speed was a very respectable 12.7. Thanks for your company Lucy, and glad I was able to show you a few new lanes on our route today.