Beautiful spring weather today for a ride with Cathy, Carol and Barbara. Have not seen much of Carol and Barbara for a long time, so lots of chatting as we rode today... as usual.
We met at FBC, and using California Park, cut through to Nine Mile Ride and headed to cross the ford at Eversley. I had ridden across Bramshill in the other direction last week, so knew it was nice and dry to ride through to connect to Plough Lane and over to Hazeley. We continued to Mattingley Church, then crossed the B3349 onto Bottle Lane. Part way along Bottle lane, with a few houses on a junction, we turned right into Vicarage Lane, a recent find for me and we stopped to admire the pretty garden with its pond.
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| Vicarage Road, approaching Hound Green |
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| Stopping to admire the garden |
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| Snakeshead Fritillary in the lawn |
At the end of the road, a left turn for a short distance to the garden centre Hortis Loci, which was our tea stop. I had been here about a month ago with Lynne, but today we could SIT DOWN! And it was very nice in the sunshine, with jackets off.
Fed and watered, we doubled back down Vicarage Lane, rejoined Bottle Lane, then left at the "green triangle", up the hill, and a right all downhill passing Daneshill School. Wheeeee.
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| The HOBO cafe at Hortis Loci. Outside ordering, then collect from another window |
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| Cathy, me, Barbara, Carol |
Fed and watered, we doubled back down Vicarage Lane, rejoined Bottle Lane, then left at the "green triangle", up the hill, and a right all downhill passing Daneshill School. Wheeeee.
A quick dash across the A33, and we skirted Stratfield Saye, before using Park Lane to climb up to Beech Hill. We stuck with the main road, climbing back over the A33, all the way to Spencers Wood. Right at the lights into Hyde End Road, then left into Appletree Lane to ride on Ryeish Lane, through the new housing development. (I meant to follow it across the green space but got a section wrong, but never mind. It keeps us off the Hyde End Road, which is not the best road to cycle on. )
We emerged at Church Lane Shinfield (near L'ortolan), and back on track to follow the road towards Arborfield. I had hoped to turn left through the Reading University farm ground, but we were faced with a locked gate, so abandoned that idea and continued to turn right into Greensward Lane. Then the new cycle path over the bridge and back to FBC on the Arborfield Greenway.
So nice to see everyone and to be out and about enjoying the sunshine. Thanks all for your good company, and look forward to the next time.