This ride is the first in what seems like a very long time, where the original 6 ladies who signed up a few days ago, were the same six who actually rode. Often, for one reason or another, one of two cancel, and their places may be taken up by someone else. (I had planned to lead this last Wednesday, but ice made it too dangerous).
I asked Cathy if she fancied joining me? She said yes, so I was happy to lead with 6 riders plus Cathy, riding in two groups of 4 on any busier roads. But we had plenty of quiet lanes today too.
The forecast was for a gloomy day, but we got lucky for most of the ride at least. Starting at Woosehill, we wiggled across to Emmbrook, over the two motorways then a turn right into Pound Lane, where we regrouped.
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| Hazel, Sue, Barbara, Louise, Cathy, Gill and Angela as we leave Wokingham behind on Pound Lane. |
Now partway along the two Straight Miles, turning left into Darvils Lane, then right to go straight over at the pond in Shurlock Row. Passing the "corgi" weathervane property on Smewins Road, we dropped downhill and turned right to pass White Waltham airport. With a fair bit of traffic behind us, I decided to pull off to the airport for a few minutes, since some had not been here before.
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| Watching the planes land and take off at White Waltham airport. |
From here, a gradual climb all the way up Canon Lane, to the A4 roundabout, 3rd exit, and very soon left into Newlands Avenue. A cut through here into a pedestrianised lane, then a right turn (NOT left, as I have done twice now on this loop!), to connect to Pinkneys ROAD.
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| Team photo with camera on the bench at Pinkneys Green. Glorious weather now. |
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| Pinkneys Green |
Now a section on Pinkneys DRIVE, with stunning open common land to the left, which brings to the junction with Henley Road. Right turn and soon Stubbings Lane is on our left, dropping down to get us under the A404.
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| The shop at Stubbings Nursery |
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| We opted to sit outside with the covering over us, which drips occasionally! (It was also packed inside). Photo taken by the waitress. |
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| Leaving Stubbings Nursery |
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| Leaving Stubbings, and now I need to jump back on and catch them up. |
Leaving Stubbings, we zoomed downhill under the A404 again , then left and continue along Henley Road. Right turn, and at the A4 roundabout, first exit to Burchetts Green. After several speed bumps, we turned left at The Crown pub. (So sad that this family run pub has recently closed, as the food here was excellent).
Passing the pretty Little Stubbings House, we use the track on the right to cut through and emerge to cross the A4 straight over into Littlewick Green. I suggested Cathy lead now for a bit, since she knows now where she is.
From the Knowl Hill cycle track, we turned left into Bottle Lane, where the sky was looking rather threatening. Sue came to a halt when some foliage attached to her front tyre. It was a thorn but she decided no puncture, so we pressed on, hoping to avoid the rain. Phew.
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| Dark skies on Bottle Lane, White Waltham |
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| Waiting while Sue checks her tyre. |
At White Waltham cricket field, we turned right, then 2nd left into Smewins Road once more passing the Corgi house. Before we reach Shurlock Row, a right turn into Beanhams Heath Road, and continued all the way to the end, at the 5 way junction at Waltham St Lawrence. Hard left, into Sill Bridge Lane, then right just over the little bridge, continuing all the way on West End Lane, to Hungerford Lane.
Now cutting through Hurst Lanes, we eventually climb to the Castle Inn, but pull in to allow a couple of cars to pass on the bend. What a mess the road was in! I went ahead to make sure the coast clear to wave everyone else around the bend on the wrong side of the road. I hope the farmers cleans that up!
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| huge mess on the road, on Church Hill, Hurst. |
We said goodbye to Gill, and at Dinton Pastures junction, suggested a few others who were pushed for time to get back, went ahead at a faster pace. The rest of us at our own pace got back to Woosehill, only to spot the "fast group", just a few yards ahead of us. (Our route straight down the Reading Road on the cycle path, clearly quicker than their route presumably down Simons Lane.😉. )
A little bit of very light rain as we got back to the start, but all in all a very pleasant day. I somehow managed to a add and extra 3 miles or so, well done ladies for your 30 miler today plus a few more miles to and from the start. Brilliant. Thanks for your good company.