Breeze 6 miles and counting week 5 - Wargrave 22 miles

The 5th ride in our series of building miles and confidence, with a few ladies new to Breeze, or returning after a long break. Since a couple missed last week, I decided to repeat a similar mileage this week, so once more we managed 22 miles.... still ahead of target, so next week we will aim to do 25 miles. Over the original target of 20.

Route

It was a stonking autumn day with sunshine all the way. We left via Smiths Walk, Woosehill and spotted a glorious photo opportunity within just a few minutes.

cutting through Woosehill pathways.

There was no holding back Andrea today, who led the pack to the pedestrian bridge over the railway in Mount Pleasant,  and to St Paul's church to Holt Lane. Then over the motorways, and into the quiet Hurst Lanes. Passing the church in Hurst, I noticed some builders now working on the damaged cottage that was hit by an out of control car a few weeks ago. 

We used Broad Hinton to climb to Stanlake Meadow roundabout, then around the back of Ruscombe Church. (Some ladies were struggling to recognise where we were at times, which was good!)

All looking fabulous this morning, as we rode along Castle End Road, to Hare Hatch. As we crossed the A4 into Tag Lane, a couple of cyclists passed us. One was Terry Killer. A right turn into Blakes Road, and downhill into Wargrave to ride to the Marina, to Cwtch.

Views from Cwtch

Before we headed for home, we took a wee detour along Willow Lane just for a nose at the homes along there.😉 

Goats near the end of Willow Lane

Today's action shot alongside this beautiful Beech Hedge in Willow Lane

Great formation riding ladies. 
Cathy, Carol, Andrea, Helen, Kathie.

At the traffic lights in Wargrave, we cut through to the Church, where the Beech trees were also singing in the sunshine.

Wargrave Church behind the trees

At this point my camera got it's knickers in a twist into some "post processing" mode. Something I would never use. So, this was the last photo of the day (It took me over an hour to sort it out when I got home, basically going back to factory settings.😒)

Along Loddon Drive, where almost at the end, a driver approaching slowed down to tell us it was a private road. Just ignored him, since there is nothing he can do. We are allowed to be there, and only responsible for any damage we do.  Finally along the A4 footpath to cross at the lights, and where we met Sue C and her husband and friends going the opposite direction.

To Charvil now and back via Sandford Lane. I had intended riding through Dinton, but was on my road bike today for the first time in a over a year, since my gravel bike in for a rattle to be sorted. (It is now sorted). I loved riding my road bike. So responsive, and a pleasure to ride....apart from getting used the block brakes.

Lovely to have your company ladies. Thanks for joining me, and see you next week for a few more miles, hopefully in sunshine.