I put up the Breeze ride for this week a little prematurely in reflection, since my planned route along the Thames path to Caversham, (whilst the paths are dry) and with a coffee stop of The Barge in Caversham, turned out not to open on Wednesdays. But knowing this, I did a recce on Friday, and checked out a second option of an Ethiopian cafe in Palmer Park, only to learn that it is closed for the next two weeks! So a big change of plan altogether. The ladies who thought they had signed up for a flat riverside ride, were of course told of the change of plan, and were still up for today's ride, which was downhill ......for the second half😊
Sue C had to cancel due to Covid unfortunately, so we were 5 today, with Sandra, Louise, Rose and Hazel H joining me. (Best wishes if you happen to read this Sue.) It was cold today, around 7 degrees. And with dull grey skies, it never did warm up. Possible snow flurries forecast tomorrow.
Route
I decided to go to Sonning via the two motorway bridges, partly to warm us up, and also to enjoy the lambs which I spotted last week near Sandford Lane, on Lines Road. There were lambs both sides of Lines Road on Friday, but one lot were missing today. (We did find them later on our return on Dunt Lane)
From Sandford Lane, to Beggars Hill Road towards Charvil, where at the end, we turned right on Waingels Road. A couple of ladies "ooh I've always turned left here" . Well you can do either !😁. So, under the railway bridge on Park Lane, and over the A4 roundabout. I asked Louise to lead the first group of two into Sonning, leaving a decent gap for traffic between the front and back groups. We regrouped in Sonning, and having got rid of all the traffic at the bridge, took the sharp left to little road around the back at Sonning Eye.
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| The back road at Sonning Eye. I always admire this cottage straight ahead as you arrive. |
Then we did a little bit of exploring, before we started our climb to Emmer Green. We turned left at the A4155 roundabout, and then first left at the traffic lights. I wanted to recce Caversham Lakes cafe for future reference, and the ladies were all happy to come along. It was not open today but does open from April 16th, and looks like a nice spot for a summers day sitting by the lake. Since we were there, we also peddled to the end of the road to the wharf, where the barges all moor up, and also other boats next to the Dock Cafe. (I used to bring rides here, but since Covid, it only opens from 4pm mid week).
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| We continued to see the Wharf at the end of the road. |
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| Swan nesting at the Wharf |
Right, river level so the only way is up. We used a path which I had recced last week, which follows Caversham Park Road, but between the houses, and occasional bits of green too. One part is a steep climb, and we stopped for a breather. I promised them that was the hardest part of today's ride. (And they all believed me 😉)
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Beautiful blossom as we arrive in Emmer Green
(ladies just ahead in this shot) |
We are at the top of this section, and so now we head downhill, passing Reading Golf Club on Kidmore End Road, and climb again to the top. (short and sharp). Think the worst is now over.😏 Since the roads are nice and dry, we took a left turn to Tanners Lane, spotting some nice homes along the lane. Soon we were at the pond at Kidmore End Church junction, where we turned right.
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| Side view of the pond, looking to the pink blossom in the back garden. |
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| Kidmore End, and few minutes to admire the pond. |
Into Sonning Common, and a short distance on Kennylands Road, before we turned to wiggle through Westleigh Drive. This joins a cycle path on Peppard Road for just a few yards, to get us to the Herb Centre. Most ladies had not been before, and enjoyed it. Coffee was good I was told.
Heading back now to Emmer Green area, I normally cross straight over at the XRoads to pass the Loddon Brewery. But today, with the ladies agreement to do a couple more miles, I wanted to check out a place that Rose had mentioned. On the website it suggests they dont open until noon, but infact they open the
Barn at 08.30 every day, and serve lovely pastries and cakes all day. Useful Monday stop too, when so many places close on Mondays. Thanks Rose!
https://www.bottleandglassinn.com/ |
Bottle and Glass Binfield Heath....now on my ride list for cake stop!
Barn at the back of the pub. |
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Common Lane Binfield Heath as we head from the Bottle and Glass recce to
the village centre. Daffs lining the roadside. |
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| Just past here, some Alpacas on the left. |
We now whizzed downhill to Playhatch, and through Sonning. Our return to Wokingham via Woodley, Hurst Lanes and Reading Road footpath to Wokingham.
Well done ladies. 31 miles with a few hills thrown in too. Hoping for sunshine again soon, since these gloomy days are no good for photography..... or cold feet.
