Our first Breeze Ride of 2022, so I offered to lead on a new route, at least new for Breeze. The ride, initially full, had two places cancelled, which Sue P was grateful for, since she had joined the waiting list. It was especially nice, since she had never before ventured over Sonning Bridge. Also, lovely to welcome Angela to her second Breeze Ride.
The forecast was for a cold morning, just around 2 degrees, which I dare say was why two riders cancelled. But having checked our pond for any signs of ice, I was confident that ice would not be a problem, and with sunshine also forecast, we were all absolutely fine.... infact quite warm at times on the climbs.
As I set off from home, I started my Garmin looking for today's route, only to find that I had deleted it by mistake. A mystery tour then!😉. We met at Cantley, and headed to Sandford Lane, Hurst, to cut through Woodley to the A4, and then drop into Sonning.
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| Setting off in glorious sunshine from Cantley. Linda, Louise, Sue, Angela. |
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| Along the Hurst Lanes, a pretty country scene of sheep in the fields. |
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| Approaching the sheep, which is already trying to get up. |
And of course, from the Thames at Sonning, we now faced a favourite climb through Playhatch to Dunsden Green (you know you all enjoy it really!). Both Sue and Angela had not done it before so they particularly enjoyed it.😊
As we reached the top, I had feeling the road noise sounded a bit different, and sure enough, I had a puncture. We stopped to wait for the last couple of riders to catch up, and I pumped some air into my tyre in the hope that it might just work. At the same time one lady felt a little light headed, but thankfully with a seat and a bite of my snack, she soon felt OK to go on.
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| A breather at Dunsden Green for a few minutes |
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| Team effort to get every last bit of the thorn out. |
Just incase they were feeling a bit cold by now, I delegated everyone to do 25 pumps with the air pump. And soon we were on our way.
We then headed to Emmer Green to drop down the steep hill passing Reading Golf club, with the equally steep hill UP from the golf club. That warmed us up again. All flat now to Kidmore End.
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| Kidmore End, where we turned right into Sonning Common |
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| The cafe now changed its name to The Common, with new owners taking over 3 months ago. |
I asked the cafe owner if we could push our bikes around the back ? (as I had done before). But it seems that the side passageway doesn't belong to the cafe now. (new owners). Not a problem, just locked them up on the front. Initially we were told that they only had a table for 2 available, but with the help of some very thoughtful customers, who offered to move to another table, we all got seated together. I am a tea drinker, but the coffee drinkers highly recommend the coffee which they had, especially since they were very hot. Some delicious cakes too.
So far today... a disappearing Garmin route, a sheep needing to be rescued, a lady feeling unwell.... what next? That was when Linda announced that her ebike power was almost out of juice. Oh no!! Although we were at the highest point, due to dropping down a couple of times, we still had at least two hills to climb to get home.
We now passed through Sonning Common, crossing the main road, and up Widmore Lane. I've only come this direction on this road a couple of times and knew that there is a nasty little hill at the top, which, if you need to stop to do a hill start is a nightmare. So, I got ahead, and was able to get beyond the nasty junction, to wave them round thankfully with no need to stop and do a hill start.😇
Right on Blounts Court Road now, with a little "D-tour" around Crowsley Lanes before our climb up to Binfield Heath. Poor Linda out of power completely now, but she managed to stay on. Well done.
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| Woodland light as we climb to Binfield Heath |
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| the Ladies nearing the top of the climb to Binfield Heath |
Straight over at the top, then right at the village shop, and all downhill now to Dunsden Green. I stopped for a couple more photos of the beautiful winter trees, and views to our right.
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| Views near Binfield Heath |
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| Views near Binfield Heath |
Further whizz downhill to cross the roundabout on the main road, and straight on into Sonning
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| Thames on Sonning Bridge. |
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| A terrible mobile phone selfie at Sonning Bridge |
Our return route from Sonning, was straight on, all the way to the A4, to cross to Charvil. I put Linda up at the front to set a pace for us that she was happy with, since with her heavier bike, with no power, didn't want her struggling to keep up with us.
At the Heron on the Ford pub, we then retraced our steps to Woodley and down Sandford Lane. Back via Hurst Lanes to cross over the motorway at Dinton Pastures. Thanks to Sue who led the two drivers back to Cantley, while Louise and I peeled off to Woosehill.
Well done everyone on those hills, a good way to keep warm on a chilly winters day. I casually mentioned I hoped that no one had a deadline to be home today, since we had taken a little longer than planned. No one did, so that was good. Except that I was home about 5 minutes when a friend ran the bell. She had come to pick up me, since we were going out. Oops! I forgot!!