Such a shame that a few of the ladies who joined in with the last two rides, building up their miles, were not able to join us today, but lovely of course to have the company of some of the more regular riders who filled the places. New rider Kathie did brilliantly, and at no point slowed the group down. Well done Kathie!
It had been -1 degrees at 4am, and only 2 degrees as I set off to meet the group this morning. Bit of a shock to the system! Everyone was dressed in several layers, so we were all warm enough, and kept a very respectable pace of around 10mph over the 19 miles.
We left Wokingham via Blagrove Lane, and across the Finchampstead Road to Ludgrove. Then on the Easthampstead Road, a right turn into Heathlands Road, and soon left into Honey Hill. At the end of Honey Hill, we turned sharp right into the off road section of Hatch Ride (much improved surface this past couple of years). Then a left, back now on Heathlands Road, and straight over Nine Mile Ride at the traffic lights, to cut through Ravenswood Village.
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| emerging from Ravenswood. A beautiful morning at the golf course. |
Next, passing Crowthorne Station, we split into two groups to ride down the main road, to turn right into Ambarrow Lane.
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| 2 Groups meet up again in Ambarrow Lane |
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| Beautiful light as we enjoy the downhill of Ambarrow Lane. |
At the junction at the bottom of the hill, we turned left, staying on the road, as we skirted the edged of Horseshoe Lake, all the way to Sean Devereaux Golf Course.
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| Fresh Gerbera on the table |
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| We sat indoors today! |
After our break, we continued into Yateley, using The Link to Firgrove Road, then straight on all the way to Up Green and Chequers Lane, arriving at Eversley. A dogleg across the main road to start our gradual ascent of Longwater Road, to turn into Cricket Hill, Finchampstead, just short of the The Greyhound Pub. We enjoyed ignoring the turn into Dell Road (😊), and instead continued all the way to the junction with Ambarrow Road, to retrace our route this time up the hill. That warmed us up nicely.
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| Heath Ride . Kathie, Linda and Cathy. |
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| Heath Ride. Denise, Sue and Louise |
As I road to catch up with the group after stopping to take these photos, I rang my bell to alert a dog walker, shouting "Get out the way". Just having a laugh, as I knew it was Linda B. 😄
We left Sue as she went off up Kiln Ride, and then one by one we peeled off on the remainder of the route, with just Kathie and myself riding back to Woosehill.
Thanks to everyone for coming out to join Cathy and I on this chilly, but lovely sunny morning. Best make the most of the weather while we can.