Since tomorrow, Wednesday, looks pretty cold, I offered to lead a ride today instead. First time for a Tuesday Breeze ride. Would anyone want to come? YES... they did! Cathy was also free, so we took 8 ladies with us, and I know of at least a couple more who would liked to have come. Sorry ladies.
Very nice to welcome not one but TWO new ladies to Breeze today. Hazel and Angela, and also to see Rachael after many months.
I had been on a ride last Friday and had tea at the new shop and cafe Goswell & Bird's at The Greyhound, Finchampstead, We had been given a little "on the house" treat of a Madeira shot and a delicious mini mince pie.... but only available if you arrive between 11 - 11.30.
So our route today left FBC at 9.30, to ride 20 miles to tea in a max 2 hours. This meant an average of at least 10mph. The ladies thought I was joking when I said we needed to put some effort in today, or we would be late! We divided into 2 groups, with me leading initially as we climbed Wick Hill Lane, to drop down Dell Road. A cheeky little climb to warm us up nicely.
As we rode on Lower Sandhurst Road, we pulled over for a nose blow. I waved Cathy and her group passed. My intention had been that we would occasionally stop and mix up the groups so that we all got a chance to chat to each other. But I forgot to tell Cathy this, so she never did stop! So we didn't see them again for miles!😉
We passed through Yateley, Eversley Cross and then to Bramshill, spitting into smaller groups on the Bramshill Road. Then the pleasant gentle downhill on Ford Lane. As my group rode along Trowes Lane, Swallowfield, we had to squeeze past an articulated lorry, parked at a property. The driver was getting some boxes out of the cab, one by one and handing them to another man. Strange that we ALL thought there was something dodgy going on here. 😕 Lets just say I didn't ask them for a photo! We peddled quickly out of the way incase we were witnessing something we shouldn't have.
Then on Church Road, heading towards Farley Hill, the planned route (which Cathy also had), was to turn left into Swallowfield Road, to climb Castle Hill to the top. But Louise was in front at this point, and I was a little behind with another rider. I just knew what would happen... Louise would continue past Swallowfield Road, to climb Priest Hill to the top ( since we often do that). Not a problem.
When we reached the top Cathy and her group were just catching their breath having come up Castle Hill. Protesting vigorously that we had cheated.😂
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| Everyone catching their breath at the top of Farley Hill. |
We split again, mixing up this time, and flew down Church Lane to cross to Sheerlands Road. That little cut through past Bowhunt School still blocked off, but thanks to Natalie, we navigated a route to join it further along. Nine Mile Ride next, and up White Horse Lane, some ladies cursing the route planner, but everyone did very well, and of course the downhill was our reward, all the way to the Greyhound. We made it on time ! Our average speed at that point 11.6mph. Well done everyone!
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| Goswell & Bird's Village Store |
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| Madeira shots on the house. Cheers. Louise, Cathy, Natalie, Hazel, Rachael Angela, me, Linda, Sue P and Sue C |
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| Then our hot drinks sitting outside. With a bit of blue sky finally showing. |
I think everyone of us was in the wrong gear as we started off in small groups peddled up hill from the cafe. Note to self for next time is to suggest that everyone changes down gear on their approach, before they park their bike.😇
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| Beautiful winter trees on White Horse Lane, and more blue sky. |
Thanks to everyone for joining Cathy and me today, when we should all have been at home stressing out out over Christmas. (isn't that what you are meant to do?) Instead, we enjoyed fresh air, beautiful countryside, and friendly chat.
Merry Christmas to you all, and I look forward to further rides in your company in the New Year.