The planned ride for today, was from Riseley to Englefield, but since I felt really unwell yesterday, decided to change the route, since there a few hills on that route and my body feels knackered. Also, by starting locally, Sue could lead on our her own if I was laid up. Sue is just back from her travels, a bit jet lagged, so she was also happy with the local loop anyway.
With no rain forecast until the afternoon, we were a bit taken aback by a brief shower as we met at Cantley, but thankfully it came to nothing. It was a bit cooler overnight, but still very mild for the time of year. My "autumn/winter" long trousers had their first outing today, mostly because my 3/4 trousers finally gave up on Monday with a large hole in them😅. (they have been worn a lot for 7 years so not bad value).
We used the cycle paths on the new distribution road all the way to Winnersh, where we split into two groups to climb Sandford Lane to Woodley. We stayed in two groups and met again at The Mill at Sonning, as we pulled in to let all the traffic passed. There was a request to wait a few minutes to peel off a few layers, since some ladies were definitely overdressed.
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| Anyone seen Rose? |
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| ah. there she is! Steam rising. She was very overdressed. |
A dustbin truck beeped to warn us that he was reversing in to where we had pulled over, so it was a quick getaway. We pulled off the main road again to use the little lane running parallel to the main road.
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| The pretty cottage as we pulled off the main road through Sonning |
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| Rose, Louise, Kim, Sandra, Amanda T, Sue, Amanda O on the back road from Sonning. |
We got stuck for a bit at the A4155 roundabout, where we were heading straight over to Playhatch, and some idiot of a driver, squeezed his 4x4 into the right hand lane next to us, then proceeded to pull out right in front of a truck. 😡
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| Dunsden Green, where a fair amount of leaves are now off the trees. We have had a lot of gusty winds in the past few days and more to come later today. |
Easy going for the next few miles as we enjoyed the quiet roads to Sonning Common, before we dropped down Wood Lane to cross the main Peppard Road, and up Widmore Lane, passing the pond. I got ahead in an attempt to be able to wave them onto a clear road at the Tjunction at the top, where the steepness ramps up for the last few yards. (Its a pain to have to stop and set off again on this hill start). I got out fine, but then 3 cars were approaching, so they all had to stop.
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| Flat light, but still nice on Woodlands Avenue, Harpsden. The group just ahead of me. |
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| A tiny bit of light makes all the difference. |
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| Cutting through the woods to Binfield Heath. Path was fine, even after all the recent rain. |
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| Bottle and Glass A fire inside, but we opted for outdoors in the sun |
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| 2nd attempt by the waiter. Camera needs to "click!" |
Nice chats over coffee, which took quite a long time to be served. Some ladies said good coffee, another not so good. The Barn here is now closed other than weekends. We rode via Gravel Road to join the main Dunsden road, emerging opposite the church. The flower display of pink shades of Cosmos and Dahlia were looking lovely, still going strong since it's so mild.
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| Binfield Heath church |
Two groups of 4 again, as we crossed back through Sonning. and this time straight on to Charvil to the Landsend ford, turning right to Beggarshill Road.
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| Beggarshill Road, Sandford. |
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| Beggarshill Road tree tunnel. |
We cut through to Dinton Pastures at the aviation Museum. Those who were returning to Cantley went with Sue, Sandra headed off in a different direction on an errand, and the rest came with me back to Woosehill via Sadler's Lane, though the woods.
Glad I went out today, although feeling a bit weary now. Thanks all for joining me, and at least for some of you, a few more new roads and lanes. Will hope to do the Englefield ride next Wednesday.