Time once again to get into the loft, get down the Xmas decorations, and dress up our bikes and our helmets today, for our Breeze Jingle Bell ride. It was cold and quite windy, but we were all layered up. We had two rides today, Cathy and I taking a group to ride 22 miles starting from Woosehill and Chris and Jill with another group starting at Wellington College.
My ride was heading north initially, before heading south, to get 19 miles in before coffee. The other group, their ride a little shorter at 17 miles, set off a little later, in the hope that we would arrive at our teastop, Jackson's Cafe at California Park, at around the same time of 11.30.
Route
I took a few photos of the ladies as they turned up at the start.
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| Louise looked fabulous in her elf socks and hat. |
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| Sue with her tinsel and antlers |
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| Denise in her amusing sweater |
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| Jeanette had sparkly lights and a gift on her bike.... |
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| ... and jingle bells on her back |
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| Cathy's colouful jumper, and tinsel pony tail |
We headed off in the direction of Dinton, through the Hurst Lanes. Jeanette, or only her second breeze ride, had some lights on her wheels which were supposed to light up in different colours if she rode at 15 mph, so we shot down Broadcommon Lane to try to activate them. They didn't work, but we warmed up nicely. 😉. Then up the Straight Mile towards Shurlock Row.
We climbed over the motorway, continuing uphill on the main road towards Binfield, to pass Howe Lane on the bend, and then downhill to turn left into the footpath opposite Billingbear Lane. The path was a bit muddy at the start, at the low end, but a walker assured us it was fine ahead, which is was as we climbed to higher ground, and onto the tarmac once more of Hill Farm Lane.
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Timed selfie with camera balanced on Linda's bike with a stand
on Hill Farm Lane. Carters Hill behind us. |
We split into two groups to ride the short section of main road to connect to the cycle paths at Jocks Lane recreation ground, then a gentle climb to the end of Jocks Lane. Passed Newbold College then into the quiet Murrell Hill Road. Denise was a little behind with Cathy, and made the decision to head for home at this point, rather than come to California and turn back to Binfield to get home. We missed saying goodbye unfortunately. Sorry Denise!
All downhill now to ride into Wokingham, led by Cathy now, through to Waterloo Road, passed Ludgrove to Evendons Lane and a very messy Nashgrove Lane. There were a few bikes at Jackson's, dressed in tinsel, so we knew the other group had arrived.
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| Parking up at California Park |
The big disappointment was that there were no mince pies! I had been so looking forward to them, since they had served some delicious pies there previously. Never mind, a chance for a hot drink and a chat before we all headed off together to retrieve our bikes, and a chance for a group photo shot.
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| Sarah, Chris, Julie, Jeanette, Jill, me, Clare, Sue, Cathy, Louise, Sally, Linda. |
Well done to everyone for your efforts to dress up yourselves and your bikes today. Just a bit of fun, to get us into the Christmas spirit. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Best wishes for the New Year. (not done with Breeze rides yet for this year, so hope to see a few of you next week..... unless I get a better offer😜🎄🎅)
