I was assisting Sue today, so she offered 8 places, which filled up quickly, with just one late cancellation, so we were 9 in total. I chatted to Sue yesterday to discuss her proposed route, and she asked if I had any suggested alternatives? I did have a couple of ideas which would avoid some main roads, and also one off road section I was concerned about being very muddy with all the rain last week. But since she did a recce on Saturday, assured me it should be fine, even after rain all day yesterday. I would find out why later. We're off.
We started at Cantley, a few ladies driving to the start, since this route was around 27 miles. Early rain passed us this morning, and it was a gorgeous day for a ride. We all wore an extra layer, but part way round were removing them, but we were a very colourful group with our waterproofs on.
We crossed the two motorways, and headed towards the Hurst Lanes, and the two Straight Miles into Shurlock Row, spitting into two smaller groups on most of this section. At Beenham's Heath we crossed back over the M4, to Howe Lane, then through Paley Street. We took the road on the right called Sheepcote Lane, with this pretty house on our right as we turned the corner, and the two groups became one.
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| Sheepcote Lane, Paley Street. |
I knew the bend ahead, so went ahead a little to get some shots of the ladies turning the corner towards me.
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| Sheepcote Lane. Sue and Cathy. |
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| Jeanette, Denise. |
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| Amanda T, Linda C, Carol and Barbara. |
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| My heroes, and always smiling. (not wearing your sunglasses Barbara!) |
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| passing me on Sheepcote Lane. |
The next section was the one I was a bit worried about, after the recent rain, since I have ridden it a few times, and regretted it! It's called Long Lane, and it does go on a bit.... especially if it's muddy. However, the good news is that they have done a lot of filling in with hardcore on many of the areas which have been seriously muddy at times, so hopefully it may be useable all winter. (It's a great alternative to using the main Ascot Road into Holyport).
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| Long Lane, Nr Paley Street, with a new surface much of the way. |
I caught up with the others as we joined a section of tarmac, and there was a horse a little ahead of us. As Sue had arrived at this junction, the young skittish horse had reared up and the rider was struggling a bit to control it, and asked us all to wait until the were well ahead.
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| Giving the skittish horse some space to get ahead on Long Lane. It then pulled over in a gap on the left, and happily allowed us to pass. |
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| Waiting for the horse to get ahead of us. Sorry Barbara, can't see you behind Denise. |
At the end of Long Lane, Sue had planned to ride on the B2024 to Fifield originally, on Forest Grn Road. I suggested we could ride some quieter lanes by riding into Money Row Green, then just before Holyport, right into Langworthy Lane, then right again into Gays Lane, emerging on Coningsby Lane, to join back to Sue's route on the B3024. It's slightly longer, but much quieter. So we did that.
Then a right turn to climb uphill gradually on Fifield Lane to the T junction with Drift Road. Sue's route originally had turned left on Drift Road to climb uphill gradually to Cranbourne. I have come down that way many times, but never did fancy it uphill, because of impatient traffic on the bendy section. (Cathy O had done it uphill, and didn't enjoy it either!). The problem is that huge private estate called Foliejon Park, which could really do with cycle route through the middle! 😏
My suggestion, and since the off road sections seemed reasonably dry, was to turn right, downhill on Drift Road, then after about 0.5mile, there is a tiny gap, a bridal path, called Hogoak Lane. It's very narrow at the start, so everyone was warned to keep moving as they turned in so that we could all clear the road quickly. But it widens, and becomes a good track. It's particularly enjoyable the opposite way since it's all downhill..... in other words today it was all uphill. 😉 So we were all warmed up by the time we reached the top.
There was a tree down, which has been down for several months now, following one of the storms, but not so big, so you can easily lift your bike over.
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| Great to see Cathy back on her bike after an recent "self inflicted" injury. |
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| approaching the fallen tree on Hogoak Lane. |
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| followed by the others. Think they are still smiling. |
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| Hogoak Lane. Very pretty and will be stunning in autumn. |
At the top end of Hogoak we join back onto Sue's planned route, to join Hawthorne Lane to Fernygrove Farm Shop.
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| A kind cyclists took a couple of photos for me. Gorgeous day to be out. |
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| And the silly shot. |
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| We got told off for this! Meant for k ids only. |
The second half of the route doubled back part way along Hawthorne Lane, then first right into a downhill track called Berry Lane. This lane was a bit muddy and slippery, so I think one to avoid after rain in future. (Alternative is just turn right into Nuptown Laneat the end of Hawthorne Lane.)
Sue and I both had the route on our Garmins, and we both lost the signal at this point. But we agreed it was a left on the Ascot Road, then a right turn on the bend, into Malt Hill. From here Sue knew the route home, so not a problem. From Malt Hill, we crossed into the little triangle called Hayley Green, which meets the Forest Road. (We were heading into an area called Hayley Green Woods.)
As we crossed straight over again, I did notice a Private Road sign, but Sue said she has seen loads of people use this in the past. At this point, a head appeared over a 5 foot fence, asking us to please turn back. I very politely apologised and said that we wouldn't come this way in future, but for today, it would be appreciated if we could continue to pick up our route. There were dogwalkers just a few feet ahead of us, using pathways, so we were a bit confused about how you are supposed to make use the woodland paths, if you cant get access! (had a look at the OS map since getting home, and not obvious at all. ) We continued, and eventually turned left at his bird sculpture. (A wren?)
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| Emerging at Westmorland Drive... I think? |
We then picked our way through the pathways I was more familiar with, with all the Shakespearean names, eventually climbing up Holly Spring Lane, Bracknell. This pathway continued including Sandy Lane, and we arrived at The Splash, crossing a bridge over the little stream, then I recognise where we were at West End Lane. ( where I usually arrive using Watersplash Lane)
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| crossing the bridge at The Splash, West End. |
A big downhill next through Cabbage Hill new estate, dropping down to Jock's Lane. Denise left us here. We climbed Jocks Lane to join the shared footpath/cyclepaths all the way back to Cantley via Amen Corner and Oak Avenue on the new Northern Distribution Road.
Thank you Sue for a great route, and for having me along. I hope my new sections will be useful to you for future rides too. Well done ladies, and hope to see you again soon.
(a late blog today, as I was watching the Queen's coffin procession on TV this afternoon, as she was taken by horse drawn gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, with the Royal Family following on foot. A very impressive procession, with all the guards and armed forces looking spotless. Thankfully a beautiful sunny afternoon. )