Last night the 6 WLCG ladies had a chat on Zoom, so that Andrea and Jeanette can keep in touch with the rest of us whilst they are recuperating.(last time we did this was Christmas) Martina very disappointed that we had no quiz 😊. It was nice to see everyone together, even though zoom makes it difficult to have a natural conversation.
I had arranged earlier this week to ride with Jeanette today, for the first time in months. She has been slowly building up to 20 miles now, but under strict physio instructions not to do hills, so a flat ride to Wargrave this morning, planning the route as much as possible to avoid the inclines. On her way to my house, she met Andrea out for her walk.
We headed to Hurst and I had assumed we would go round the "low road", but Jeanette said she had managed Church Hill before, so I went ahead and snapped her arriving not far behind me. A lady stopped to chat to us, and she was hugely impressed that we were doing 20 miles, and proceeded to tell us that we must stop at the village shop, where they do hot sausage rolls. (We didn't of course, since only done about 7 miles at this stage.) 😄
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| Top of Church Hill. |
I normally get to Ruscombe passing the vineyard into Twyford, but to avoid that hill, I suggested we use the main Hurst Road, passing Twyford Station. A more gentle incline. At the junction we then turned right then left at the roundabout, to cross the railway to Ruscombe. Now to Hare Hatch.
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| Wargrave church in the gloom |
I had not ridden on Loddon Drive for several months, and had heard reports that there were going to be gates put up at either end, to stop any non residents using the pretty lane. Such a shame as I have used it many times over recent years as a good link to Charvil. I have a friend who is involved with the Wargrave News who told me that Wargrave residents in general are furious about the plans to restrict the access. I have done a bit of googling and read in February 2021 issue of Wargrave News, that residents are not happy about the prospect of gates NOR the horrible red and white signs now erected at the Wargrave Station entrance to Loddon Drive. Wargrave New Feb 2021 - See page 15
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| view at the first bridge (we weren't supposed to be there) |
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| View from the second bridge, which is not a problem as far as I can tell. River running very high still. |
At the end of Loddon Drive we rode to Sandford Lane via Charvil. Gill, happened to mention on last nights Zoom call, that she had made some Beetroot Chocolate Brownies, and we were welcome to pop in on our way past. Jeanette and Gill have only met on Zoom! So today they met in the flesh for the first time. Jeanette and I shared a brownie, and can confirm that they were delicious.😋😋😋
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| First meeting in the flesh for Jeanette and Gill |
Back home, and a very respectable 10.3mph average speed. Well done Jeanette! I came home to the smell of Beetroot cooking, since John is today making a Beetroot and Chocolate cake.😅
Message from Jeanette this afternoon that her new Specialized Diverge has been delivered. Wooppeee. No stopping her now. Lovely to ride with you after such a long time, and hope that you will very soon be joining in with our Friday rides once more, even if we need to get a bit creative with our route planning so that you can avoid hills for a bit longer.