Monday ride today with Daphne, Linda B and Linda R. I suggested a route I didn't think they had done yet, which was to cross Whitchurch bridge into Pangbourne. Linda and I met D&L at Bearwood Rec Car Park, only to find that Mill Lane was closed to traffic, and according to one driver, not even bikes could get through. So, off course immediately, and we headed instead through the crossroads at Sainburys and up Sandford Lane etc to Woodley, and over Sonning Bridge. Dunsden next to warm us up on this slightly cool morning.
Route
At the cross roads on Emmer Green Road, there was a large tractor blocking our way across and he seemed to be waiting.... for his mate!
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| Emmer Green Road |
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| So that's who he was waiting for. Glad we didn't meet them on the narrow lane! |
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| Is this the fruits of their labour? |
The gradual climb now to Kidmore End, and today we went around the back of the church, to then drop down Mill Lane. The surface of this lane gets no better, and after picking our way through the mud and potholes, the nasty climb to the main road awaits. We all did it, and Linda R even enjoyed it! Daphne who has inflated her new tyre, was saying how much better she was doing today.😀
Crossing over now in the direction of Maple Durham, we turned right at the first crossroads (ie NOT to Maple Durham) and continued the gradual up hill towards Goring Heath. Left now at the crossroads, and soon the undulations to the top, followed by the lovley fast downhill to Whitchurch, where we stopped a few minutes to chat to the Alpacas. Linda R asked me "What is the difference between Llamas and Alpacas?". I look it up. Their size, face shape and hair. I think the easiest of those to spot is that the Alpacas have that curly hair on top that looks like they had a perm.😇
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| Alpacas |
Through the pretty Whitchurch now, which has some amazing properties, and we scoot through the side of the barrier at the toll bridge.
Whitchurch Bridge is one of two remaining private toll bridges across the River Thames (the other being Swinford Toll Bridge), being owned and maintained by The Company of Proprietors of Whitchurch Bridge entirely from toll receipts. Tolls currently range from 60p for cars to £4 for vehicles of over 3.5 tonnes. The original charges were a halfpenny each for pedestrians, sheep, boars and pigs, and two pence for each and every wheel of a carriage.  |
| We decided to walk across to see the river |
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| Beautiful property in front of the church |
Pangbourne has a terrible choice of coffee shops, all on the main road, so we detoured a little to the right, and opted for The Swan Hotel for a cuppa on the riverside. I had prebooked in case it was busy, but we had the place to ourselves. NO CAKES! Disaster!! Thankfully we all had an emergency snack bar, and someone even had an emergency sandwich.... well it was 11.30 by now.
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| Swan Hotel riverside deck |
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| Just as well I booked! |
Back through Pangbourne now, passed the very expensive garage, then to the A329 for about half a mile, where we turn right into Sulham Lane. Very quiet, pretty lane, which meets Sulham Hill at the T-Junction. Panic in the ranks at the idea of Sulham Hill, but of course our route is a right turn almost immediately at this unusual house into Nunhide Lane.
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| Such an unusual overhang |
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| Wilder's Folly in the far distance as we ride on Nunhide Lane |
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| Folly getting closer |
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| Shame it's such dull light today. |
Wikipedia notes......
It's history goes back to the year 1768.
It is said to have been built by the Reverend Henry Wilder as a very grand gesture for his future wife, Jane Thoyts, who lived in Sulhamstead House nearby. However, it wasn't near enough for the love-struck reverend, who commissioned the building to be constructed so it could be seen from both their homes . They married and went on to have 11 children. It has now been converted to a Dovecot.
We emerged at Ikea, then on to the pedestrian bridge over the M4 into Theale. A bit of a wait at the K&A Canal, and we just missed the swing bridge in operation. Now we climb Jacques Lane, and continue to Burghfield. A couple of right turns then left to enjoy the downhill James Lane to Grazley Green. Passing the Classic Car garage, we go under the railway bridge, and left into Kybes Lane. A stop here where Daphne spotted a field of Poppy heads, and I had also noticed some yellow wild flowers in the grass verge.
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| Poppy heads at Kybes Lane, nr Three Mile Cross |
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I Googled this. It's Wild Snapdragon, aka Linaria Vulgaris or Toadflax
(I thought Toadflax were all pink or purple. Never seen this before) |
A few pedestrian traffic lights now to safely cross the A33 at Three Mile Cross. My Garmin had suggested a turn to the left on the first bend on the road, which I had previously investigate and it was a dead end. But, a new cycle path open now to take us safely through a bit of new housing, avoiding the Basingstoke Road. We pop out just a bit further on Church Lane, and then turn right (still called Church Lane), passing L'Ortalon. (This avoids the horrible steep section on Bookers Hill, so a more gradual climb.)
The top of Church Lane is however closed to traffic and we had to wiggle around behind cones on footpaths to cross over at Shinfield. Over the M4 once more on the pedestrian bridge. Finally along Cutbush Lane through Lower Earley. I had planned to return on Mill Lane to Sindlesham but since it's closed, we used the cycle paths on the new Hatch Farm Way.
So, with a little bit of additional milage due to detours, I clocked up just short of 40 miles, whilst Linda managed 47. Well done to everyone, and so glad you enjoyed a new route.
