Breeze Cantley to Caversham Lakes via Binfield Heath

Sue P assisted me on today's ride, she leading the first half and me the second half. Having trained as a  Breeze Champs several weeks ago, Sue is still waiting to complete her first aid course online, allowing her to lead on her own. (Almost there. First aid courses have got complicated with courses being cancelled, by Red Cross. Including mine, but I will worry about it in  few weeks time). Anyway, always nice to have a spare Champ along. 

Only 3 riders joined us, but that's no doubt because at long last lots of people are on holiday! 😀 (Cathy's ride to Windsor also not full). The forecast was for "showers" which is always a pain, since nothing is definite. 

Route

We all met at Cantley, and used the new cycle path all the way to Winnersh, although I couldn't believe my eyes this morning on my way to Cantley, to see that they were digging up a longish section of the path they have only just finished laying! So, we crossed where necessary, but otherwise enjoyed the good surface of the new safe path all the way along Toutley Road, and Old Forest Road, to join the Reading Road at the motorway bridge. 

I had planned to cut through Dinton, passing the new "Platinum Jubilee" bench, and through to Sandford Lane, at the car park.  Gill, kindly showed us an alternative track to emerge further up Sandford Lane. Not sure I have used that before, or if so, it was a long time ago. 

The shiny new Platinum Jubilee bench at Dinton. 
Long weekend celebrations now over. 

We wiggled through Woodley to Sonning, rain jackets on at one point for 5 mins. As we often do, we split into two smaller groups on the main road through Sonning. All trouble free, and even a patient lorry following us to the roundabout to cross the main road to Playhatch. I wish they were all so patient. 

I've felt unwell for a couple of days, basically flu like and knackered, (negative Covid test), so definitely felt it harder work than normal to climb to Dunsden Green. We all kept going until the road leveled out, then stopped for a breather, by which time it was blue skies ahead.  We were heading today for coffee at Caversham Lakes, (at the bottom of the hill),  but I decided we needed to work a bit before our break, so having climbed to Dunsden, we continued to Binfield Heath, then a loop on Emmer Green Road to Caversham. 

Blue sky after our climb through Dunsden Green.

We picked up the cycle path in Emmer Green shopping parade, and it was downhill all the way. 

Milestone Way, cycle path through Caversham Park Village.
Nice and green, in some parts at least.
Sue C, Gill, Amanda T, Sue P.

And we continue downhill, this one taken by Gill.

Crossing at the traffic lights at the bottom, as we headed for coffee, it turned out that none of the ladies with me today had ever come down this road to the lakes. So, I offered to lead them out to the farthest point at The Dock cafe, and the marina. (Cafe not open every day, and opens too late for a morning stop).  But always a pretty place to see, with all the boats moored up. 

Photo by Sue C at the Barge Moorings

Pretty white Roses at the Barge Marina

And at the end where the other boats moor up, opposite the Thames Path, Sonning

With an ominous sky, we now backtracked to the Lakeside Cafe, which was empty apart from 3 wild swimmers, and some swans with their signets. 

Caversham Lake Cafe scene. 

Some wild swimmers just about to come out. The swans with their young unperturbed. 

Sky looking a bit more threatening now. 

Before we left, time for their morning exercise, against a stiff breeze. 

We once more split into two smaller groups to ride back into Sonning. Just beyond the Sonning Eye roundabout, one car passed where the road temporarily widens, which is fine. But then an idiot driver got rather too close to me, AND with another cyclist approaching. So I chased after him as fast as I could, hoping to catch him to get his registration number on a photo. With the lights at Sonning Bridge on Red, he was about third in the Q. I was directly behind him, so got my phone out, and wanted the driver to see that I was photographing his car.  A young male got out of his car, aggressively approached me, and his language was choice. "f**ing" etc.  I know from filing another police report, that even though I felt like it, I should NOT swear at him, or he can use that against me. (hard to believe.)

By this time my two companions had joined me, so he was outnumbered, and further cars behind them. I told him I had taken his Reg since he had broken the law, not allowing a 1.5 metre gap when he passed.  He denied it of course.

I will report this, which is a pain, since it all takes time. But these young male drivers need to learn that they can't keep doing this, putting our lives at risk. (I reported another driver several weeks ago, who did  get a visit from the police, and his name is now on record, so I hope that it at least makes them think about doing it again. )

From Sonning, we rode to Twyford, through the town centre, and into Ruscombe Lane. Crossing the railway, we continued straight over and downhill through Broadhinton to Whistley Green. I had planned to ride alongside the Loddon, but Gill thought it might be a bit messy after the rain last night, so instead we used the track alongside Lodge Road, which was fine. Most other ladies not used it before. A good track to get away from the traffic along Lodge Road, Hurst. 

Disappearing into the good track alongside Lodge Road, Hurst. 

Gill left us to climb Sandford Lane, whilst the rest of us returned via Lines Road and over the motorways back to Cantley.

Thanks for your company ladies. The weather turned out fine apart from a pesky wind once more, but at least it blew the rain clouds away.