I had been in touch with Sarah from Cookham who trained as a Breeze Champ on the same day as Cathy and I, and also Rosie (Maidenhead). We arranged to meet up for a ride from Cookham so that they could show Cathy and I some of the quiet road links they use, the plan being that we could then add on at least parts of this route from our area. Cathy and I were familiar with much of the second part of the ride, but not at all the first section. Great weather, and a lovely morning out chatting. (This blog a day late. We went on Saturday)
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At our teastop in Windsor
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Starting in Cookham we met Sarah first at Whyteladyes Lane, and started on a slight downhill, then at the end of the road, a left then soon a right into Lightlands Lane. We passed through a gate onto a gravel track, which weaved it's way following Strand Water, between open fields of Rape Crops. Rosie had made her way from home to meet us on this track.
Route
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| Sarah and Cathy on the gravel track |
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| Sarah appeared at this junction to meet us, then we went straight on |
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| now left and around a playing field |
We wiggled around following cycle track signs, and over bridges, eventually coming to junction with a Nation Trust sign (Cookham 2 miles)
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| Right here into York Road |
Part way along York Road, left into a cycleway, just short of the river, and soon under a railway tunnel
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Following the cycleway, we go straight over here
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The next section, pretty woodland passing along the back of Braywick Park, and at the end, we turn left on Hibbert Road.
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| at the end of Hibbert Road, right turn and familiar ground now, through Bray |
Passing Caldesi Restaurant, we continue over the M4 on Monkey Island Lane, and then take another cycle path, just short of small tributary stream, and soon we arrive at the pedestrian bridge over The Thames. (need to walk here)
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| The lane off Monkey Island Lane, leading to the footbridge over The Thames |
Following the riverside path for a short section, we turn LEFT at these signposts, and then I recognise the path again, leading us to Dorney Lake.
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| LEFT here, away from the river, to Dorney Lake |
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| Rosie, the path leading to Dorney Lake |
Sadly Dorney Lakes has been closed to cyclists since it all got too busy with Lockdown cyclists, so we used the path along the left edge all the way to Dorney Common. (At least it keeps you out of the wind!)
As we emerge at Dorney Common, the cattle are out for wander! Eeek.
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| Nice moo cow! |
We follow the paths now all the way into Windsor, and over Eton Bridge.
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| Cathy |
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| Sarah crossing Eton Bridge, Windsor castle ahead |
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Arriving at the pop up tea stop on the riverside.
After using the very spacious Loos in the town centre, we retrace our steps on Meadow Lane, this time turning right and following the railway arches, connecting us to the Jubilee River path.
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| Cathy and Rosie |
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| Sarah on her Specialize Diverge. She loves hers too. |
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| Jubilee River pathway |
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Jubilee river path
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Following the path all the way to the end, at Amerden Lane, we arrive with Taplow Lake on our right. I have not been here but friends have had coffee there a few times. We continue the short distance to the busy A4, and cross over, to cycle on the pavement a short distance. At the roundabout turn right into a new, very upmarket, estate on Jubilee Lane connecting to Mill Lane. We cycle along here, turning at the old Mill building, where then have to dismount to use the smart path through here to Boulters Lock.
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we need to walk this section, which crosses the Jubilee River and The Thames
at Boulters Lock |
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| crossing The Thames |
Once over the bridge, we turn left, then straight over into Ray Mill Road East, a narrow busy road, then at the junction a left turn and quickly right into Ray Mill Road West. This is where Rosie leaves us and we retrace our steps crossing the fields of rape crop once more. At the end of the gravel tracks, we turn left on Maidenhead Road, and then left passing Cookham station, turning left into High Road and back to the start. A lovely ride, barely a hill, or traffic. A lovely change from our normal routes, and we have already agreed that Cathy and I will host the next ride in our area. Thanks again Sarah and Rosie.
