A group of 4 of us rode today, for this slightly more challenging Breeze Ride starting at Cantley and heading for Hurley. A pretty mild start to our day, so much so that I just wore my Breeze tee-shirt and jacket today, and felt too hot at times. We did do over 1,000ft of climbing today, so that kept us warm. The ride was to be 30 miles, but a road closure meant we had to turn back, so ended up going 33 miles officially, and a few more to get home. (We are getting good at this ladies.. well done!)
A bit of a cloud spotting day today, the first photo was taken at Cantley as I waiting for the group to arrive.
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| Beautiful clouds over Cantley at the start. |
Route
We started by climbing over the two motorway bridges, right into Pound Lane then left into Nelsons Lane. At the junction of Broadcommon Road, with nothing behind us, having checked my mirror., we turned left. In a matter seconds, I was aware of a vehicle approaching from behind, who came from nowhere, and since this is a narrow lane, I indicated that I was slowing down to pull over the right where there was a muddy layby.
But this driver was not interested in waiting, and having almost pushed one lady off the road to the left hand side, I shouted at him and moved myself into the middle of the lane to block his path. I was keen to speak to him. What happened next was unbelievable. (I have come home and filed a police report).
Even with my bike blocking his path, he continued to get closer and closer, and WAS going to knock me over as by now his car was almost touching my leg. I decided to move my bike at the last second, otherwise I have absolutely no doubt that he would have knocked me down, and driven off. With no time to get a photo as he sped off, we did keep repeating his registration number (RE11 XBM) until I had noted it. (This is why the new laws about giving cyclists priority will have absolutely NO bearing on scum of the earth drivers with attitude, like this young man.)
We were all a bit shaken by the incident, but thank goodness, not physically harmed. Was he on drugs? Was it a stolen vehicle? Whatever the reason for his aggressive and dangerous driving it is the absolute worst that I have encountered, in my many years now as a cyclist. (My very first Breeze ride was on this very lane. It would have put me off for life had it happened back then.)
We now headed through Shurlock Row, to White Waltham, left into Butchers Lane, then right to join the Knowl Hill circuit. We could almost SEE VElolife from here on the hill... but we were not going there directly, and had a few miles to do before coffee today.
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| Velolife Cafe is over there but we are going to Hurley first today |
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| Great clouds nr Littlewick Green |
Through Littlewick Green, where some ladies hadn't been before, and then across the A4 to join Green Lane, Burchetts Green emerging near Little Stubbings House, where a nice snowdrop display caught our attention.
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| Burchetts Green Lane. Debbie, Linda and Louise |
Left at The Crown pub (now sadly closed down), the soon right into Honey Lane for the climb to the corner where The Dew Drop Inn is straight ahead. A cheeky little hill.
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| We turned right here, a continuation of Honey Hill |
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| Top of Honey Hill with views to Hurley. But... a digger in the road ahead! |
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| We moved the barrier to get through and after a word with the digger driver, he said it was ok for us to proceed downhill. A long detour otherwise! |
Two of the ladies also not been to Hurley before, so a quick look at the village then we backtracked to the Bell Pub, and turned into Shepherd's Lane. Just then, half a dozen cyclists appeared and we waved them passed. Were they heading for coffee somewhere I asked? Yes, to Velolife. No surprise really. See you there then, we said.
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| 10.50 as we arrived in Hurley for a quick look. the church tower always lovely. |
After a short section on the main Henley Road, our next climb up Rose Lane. Such a pretty lane, and no traffic today, or horses, which is more common on this lane. Soon we arrived at Velolife, by which time only 3 of the 6 cyclists had been served. They commented on our speed up the hill.😉
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| Can't remember the name of that cake, but looked interesting. |
We sat outside enjoying the sunshine, and set off, stopping to admire the view just a few yards along.
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| I always enjoy this view near Velolife, Warren Row. |
We enjoyed the downhill to the A4 and crossed over into Bottle Lane. I noticed this unusual cloud formation ahead, and loved the baby one.
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| Bottle Lane, heading back to White Waltham. |
I love this lane, but it does twist and turn a lot, and I am always careful to keep close to the left edge approaching any bends. Sadly, not too much further along, we once more met up with the 6 cyclists, all standing off their bikes on a grass verge, since one of the ladies was just recovering from a van knocking her off. She was OK. but please note anyone reading this, PLEASE be extra cautious on Bottle and Butchers Lane. A good number of vans use this road, so single out before you get to any bends, so as not to meet a vehicle head on.