Lovely to spend the morning with Stephanie and Susie today. It's been a long time since we rode together as a group. Stephanie had requested a Chilterns ride, but then also to be back for an appt at 2, so I suggested they drive to Cantley, so that Stephanie could get home quickly at the end of our ride.
Susie was at the last minute unable to access her bike rack in her garage, (got the kitchen fitters in!) so cycled from home, which meant a much longer ride for her.
We set off through Hurst Lanes to Woodley, over Sonning Bridge, and climbed to Dunsden Green continuing to Binfield Heath. I had hoped to use the off road track to Harpsden Woods but have had a lot of rain in the last few days, and so it would have been very muddy. Instead, we dropped down to Lower Shiplake and crossed back up the hill into Woodlands Road. The Beech trees were stunning in this morning's light.
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| Cow Parsley and Beech along Woodlands Road |
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| A peak over a gate to a pretty garden |
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| Susie ahead on the downhill section towards Harpsden |
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| Looking behind me on the bend at the top of the hill |
At the bottom, we turned left and rode through Harpsden, heading all the way through to climb Devil's Hill.
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| Passing through Harpsden. Look at the colour of the sky! Eek |
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| Passing through Harpsden |
We all managed up the big hill, which is a lung buster, and at the top turned right towards Sonning Common. Dipping down Widmore Lane to cross the main road, we climbed up to the parade of shops and stopped at Fleming's cafe. I had only used this twice before for takeaway, but as of TODAY, May 17th, cafes can offer inside seating once more. As it turned out, they also have a garden, which I hadn't realised, so we pushed our bikes round the back and had the garden to ourselves. The sun was out, and it was pretty warm too.
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| Selfie in the garden at Fleming's Cafe. We are touching! For the first time since last March! |
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| Cafe Garden. Looks just like a house with a back garden, but did the job nicely |
From the cafe, a little loop to Gallowstree Common, the a brief stop at Kidmord End church, to take off the rain jacket I had put on 10 mins ago! The rain passed, and now warm and sunny once more.
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| Kidmore End Church |
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| Wisteria on the house opposite the church |
Now straight on at the church, on Chalkhouse Green Road, and we soon saw this lovely cart horse, pulling a cart.
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| Chalkhouse Green Road |
Shortly we came to a flood all across the road, and Stephanie insisted I go first😉. All fine, and one more flood shortly after, before we dropped down the hill passing Reading Golf club. followed by a climb up to Emmer Green. (never done it in this direction before, but an easy hill). At the main road, a left then right turn, to ride on Kiln Road, then right at the cross roads to ride back to Dunsden Green.
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| Dunsden Green covered in Daisies. |
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| Black skies are back! At Dunsden Green The rain held off, as we returned via Charvil to drop down Sandford Lane, but then it started to rain. By the time we got to Winnersh there were rumbles of thunder and seriously heavy rain, so we got absolutely soaked. We parted company on Reading Road, as Stephanie headed for Cantley to her car, and Susie back to Crowthorne. Thanks for your good company, and look forward to seeing you again soon. |