It was COLD last night! A frost on the cars this morning, and the BBC reported -5 degrees at Benson last night. So, for the first time, since last time, thermal vest was required. With several layers, snood, silk glove liners and winter boots too, I felt well prepared. I fancied a different start point today, but we needed to be not too far away since school picks up needed for Lynne and Martina. Jeanette kindly agreed to transport me with her bike rack. Lynne did the same for Martina. Gill was away today, up north.
Route
Jeanette is the proud owner of a Garmin Edge now, so I shared the route with her, and put her in charge today.😉 She was most upset at first when her "voice command", linked somehow from Garmin to her phone, wouldn't speak to her. I don't feel the need for this, just glance at the course as necessary, but she prefers it. (She later got it to work, so was happy).
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| Fabulous blue sky as we set off from Locks Ride, Winkfield |
It was just 15 mins driving to the start, but it meant we could explore a bit further, and be back in time. The first couple of miles to Cranbourne included Forest Road, which was a little busy, but we soon passed the Fishing Lake cafe, and turned left into Crouch Lane, where it was very quiet. Then our usual section to get us to Fifield, pretty fast and downhill, and I noticed our average speed at that point was 12.5mph. Then over to Monkey Island Lane, and we started to slow down, with a change in terrain.
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| I always admire this pink property with shutters at Monkey Island Lane |
Into Bray now, and a tiny detour to the church. I had not approached this way before, and we discovered this very pretty Lychgate cottage and building with the gate underneath it.
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| Entrance to Bray church. |
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| Tour over, now back to our bikes. |
The next section was through Braywick to Maidenhead, which I had done with Martina and Lynne before, but Jeanette not done it for years she said. We emerged at Horseguards House near the A4 in Maidenhead, where we crossed the Thames, and turned into Mill Lane. I knew what was ahead, so forewarned them all to get their gearing ready for a steep incline. It's tough! This detour, avoids the A4, and means that we are now rewarded with a long downhill to once more cross the A4, and into the quiet Amerdeen Lane, leading to Taplow Lake.
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| Mirror image reflections |
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| Crossing Jubilee River as we leave the cafe |
We did about 4.5 miles on the Jubilee River path, crossing under the M4, and finally alongside the M4 towards the end before we headed left, towards Windsor.
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| Selfie on Jubilee River path |
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| Always amusing how the Cormorants do their sunbathing thing. |
We left the Jubilee path and followed the railway arches and I pointed out the view of the castle.
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| Windsor Castle on our left as we cross Eton Common |
Through Windsor, and we headed now to the Great Park, arriving at the Prince Consort Drive entrance after our gradual climb away from river level.
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| Entrance to Windsor Great Park |
We had a bit of fun, racing through the park, to see who could get up the hills quickest. 😎
Once we exited the park, we rode up Watersplash Lane, and on to Ascot Racecourse, by which time, the sun was disappearing and the sky a gloomy grey. From there a left turn into Burleigh Road, with it's impressive properties, and the cut through on a pathway to emerge at the library car park on Fernbank Road. Then left and soon right in to Mill Ride, to follow the woodland path through to Locks Ride.
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| Mill Ride |
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Lynne on Mill Ride.
(Martina hiding behind her!) |
Almost back, and at the end of Mill Ride, a right turn to join Locks Ride, and left at the end where the carpark is shortly on our left. Everyone really enjoyed the variety on our ride today, and a few new bits for some which is always a bonus. Well done ladies.
