5 of us were free today! I asked Andrea to join us too for coffee, but unfortunately she wasn't able to.
The forecast was a bit uncertain, but we got lucky as we set off at 9ish with just light drizzle, and very mild. Jeanette and I met Lynne at Woodward Close with the news that Martina had a flat tyre and the wrong replacement tube. Gill to the rescue, who told Martina to drive to hers, and borrow John's old Claude Butler. So we waited a few minutes, and Martina soon arrived at Gill's on Sandford Lane.
I attached Go Pro to my bike today, hoping for some shots of autumn colours as we rode. So majority today are screen grabs, and not quite as sharp as photos would be. I will put a short film together to share in the coming days.
Route
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| Sandford Lane |
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| here comes Martina to borrow a bike. |
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| We're off. Leaving Gill's |
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| Waiting to cross the Thames at Sonning |
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| Sonning Bridge |
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The start of our favourite climb to Dunsden Green.
That sky looking rather black. |
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| Half way..... |
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| Martina is doing well on the borrowed bike. |
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Final push and Gill is ahead of the pack
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Photo. Catching our breath at Dunsden Green, Lynne down to teeshirt now.
I peddled ahead to try to capture the group heading towards me on my GoPro. Waiting on the corner just before the church, there was a guy cutting back foliage, and he told that a car had gone through his hedge a few days ago! The picture is really dark, due to contrast now with bright sky and dark hedge. |
Passing the church, straight over the next junction and a bit of downhill to Bird in Hand pub.
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| heading to Bird in Hand pub to cross to Kennylands Road |
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| Kidmore End |
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| Wood Lane, Kidmore End |
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| Just arrived in Wyfold Road. Stunning colours, so stopped for a photo. |
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Wyfold Road
 | Selfie at the same spot, Wyfold Road
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| As we were about to set off, a murmuration of Starlings... if you squint! |
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| We turned left into the stunning road to Hook End. |
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| A gentle climb, before it gets tougher on our way to Checkendon. |
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| Deer Lane, Checkendon |
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| Well done Jeanette. Looks flat. Its not! |
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| I managed to get ahead to get this shot, then realised we had lost Lynne |
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| Chain back on, and here she comes. |
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| Lovegroves Lane, Checkendon. |
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| The light just kept getting better, but clearly there had been recent rain here. |
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| Gill turning into Blue Tin. This lane was a real mess. |
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Arriving at the farm shop. John and Dave were just finished their drinks
and had got soaked with a downpour. |
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Decision time!
 | Photo by John
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Off they go. They got soaked, so we got very lucky.
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I was telling the ladies about this amazing sketch with popped up on the Blue Tin Facebook feed this morning.
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FACEBOOK CAPTURE
"When @byjennygrace joined us she said that Blue Tin reminded her of a @quentinblake illustration so we asked her to draw what she saw and THIS is the brilliant, busy, detailed result and is going to be our new calling card/flyer/postcard. "
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We retraced our route a short distance, once more on the VERY messy lane from Blue Tin.
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| Lynne |
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| Gill with Martina behind as we head into Stoke Row |
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| passing through Stoke Row |
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| Turning right to head down the amazing Kingwood Road. |
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| Me enjoying the tree canopy of Kingwood Road |
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| Gill up front for the big downhill on Kingwood Road |
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| About half way down, heading to Sonning Common. |
At the Pet Barn, Sonning Common we went straight over and continued to the cheeky climb to Binfield Heath. My GoPro died at this point. An easy downhill run now through Playhatch to cross the Thames at Sonning once more, and we returned via Charvil. Gill and Martina left the rest of us at Sandford Lane, at just the right time. We then got wet, as we peddled the remainder of the route home.
Martina said at the tea stop today how much she enjoys my blogs, and how disappointed she would be if I ever gave them up. No pressure😇. She later sent a lovely message on Whats app....
"Thanks all for a fabulous ride! So lucky to be part of this amazing cycling group 🚲🚲"
Followed by one from Jeanette too. Thank you. I know we ALL appreciate each others company, and encouragement to get out there.
I am very grateful to all of you who responded to my "advert" for some Friday cycling buddies via he local Facebook page, almost exactly 3 years ago now! At that time, I was looking for ladies who could cycle up to 20 miles. You have all come a long way, and it's brilliant that a 30-35 mile ride no longer phases you. Well done team.
