So nice to catch up with Jodie today. It's been a very long time. She is using her ebike atm, so I thought I might as well use mine too. We had agreed to meet at Caversham Heights, at 10ish, but both faced horrendous queues through Sonning. (I realised this was due to Reading Festival goers arriving from today, so everyone was avoiding crossing the river in Reading.)
Route
We finally set off about 10.40 from the car park, and headed down (then up) past Emmer Green Golf course and to Kidmore End. Then into Park Lane, and through the Quiet Lane to Exlade Street, where the light filtering through the woods was lovely.
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| Quiet Lane, Exlade Street |
As we rode past my friend Debi's house, there was a grab loader removing tons of soil from their driveway. Guess their next garden project has started then!
Soon we were heading downhill on the 2 mile freewheel to the edge of Goring. Jodie slightly concerned about the way back up, but it not that bad, especially with power.😑
We rode along the Ridgeway track, and as we approached Don Giovanni's, baring in mind the time, I suggested "Shall we stop here for a drink?". Why not. Jodie was free until around 4ish, and we were planning a snack lunch at Blue Tin. The place was empty, so front row seats! People would soon be arriving for lunch, but we would be gone by then.
The waiter was quite a character, and very jealous of our retirement status and the fact that we are able to enjoy life by sitting by the river for a drink. We are indeed lucky.
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| kids learning to sail from the sailing school next door |
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| Rowing boat, cruiser and dingy, all passing by |
We both stuck our power on RED to get up the hill away from the river, and soon were enjoying the crop fields of Ipsden. A farmer at work with his combine harvester and dust in the distance.
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| Ipsden |
A little detour through South Stoke now and noticed this overhanging "upstairs". Wonder why they used to do that?
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| South Stoke |
Back under the railway line and across to Ipsden again, and I liked this field where the cut crops looked a bit like tartan
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| Ipsden |
We had spotted a glider being towed earlier, and as we were passing the airfield, one was on the ground, closely followed by an incoming plane, then a microlight.
We cross the A4074 to Braziers Park, to head of Garsons "Blue Tin" Hill. Jodie did brilliantly, although she knew she had climbed a hill. I enjoyed climbing it on my ebike, since I normally struggle up on my other bike. 😉 We both enjoyed a very tasty sausage roll for lunch, and chatted with two couples who were interested in our ebikes. They are definitely catching on.
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| Near Braziers Park |
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| Blue Tin farmshop |
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| Blue Tin |
A wee bit more climbing, gradual now, to Stoke Row, then the lovely downhill through the Kingwood to Sonning Common. All was going well, until our last climb to Binfield Heath when unfortunately Jodie got very painful cramp in her leg. (It happens sometimes she says). The best thing to do was to walk up the hill, and get back on where it leveled out at the top. By then thankfully she had recovered.
This roof with ferns growing out of it was on our walk up the hill.
We finished on a flat, then downhill section back to the carpark. Thanks for your company Jodie. You did so well considering you have not been able to get so much recently. I hope I didn't wear you out too much, but instead that you have a sense of achievement, and will sleep well tonight.
