Ride number 98 as a leader. According to the stats, I have taken 504 ladies on my rides and used 116,426 calories. (It doesn't mention the cakes. I hope to celebrate my 100th ride a little later in the spring, maybe ride 111, when I can organise a group with other leaders joining us, in better weather.)
With sub zero temperatures forecast from tonight for a few days, (-7 tonight ) it is more than likely going to be icy on the roads, since there are sooooo many areas still very wet. I was due to ride with Linda today, so suggested we go out, but as part of a Breeze Ride, since I won't be riding on Wednesday in sub zero.
I only posted the ride yesterday afternoon, so wasn't sure anyone would be interested, but thought I'd offer. It filled within 2 hours. One of the riders was Louise, who normally rides with U3A on Mondays. A message followed from Sue P asking if she could join me? She also normally rides with U3A on Mondays. Hmmm... what's going on I thought? It turns out the "men" had wimped out, so they had abandoned their ride. 😅. With Sue joining as assistant I added an extra rider place, so we would be an even number of 8.
Then this morning, a message from Gill. "What time will you be at the coffee stop, since I might come and meet you all." This ride was certainly popular.😉 I told Gill she could meet us at Pound Lane, Hurst, but since Sandford Lane is flooded atm, it all became too complicated to meet up, so she did join us in Wargrave later.
Today's route was all very familiar, apart from the very first section. I have lived on Woosehill for more than 30 years and I have NEVER used the underpass below the A329 roundabout. (I don't like underpasses and never use them when alone. ) But recently, a new section of proper tarmac path leads from the back of Morrisons, over the Emmbrook (which is very flooded), and links to the footpath to the underpass. It worked well, and saved having to cross the main road, except that there are barriers to slow you right down, followed by a hairpin right hand bend. Might be more prepared next time!
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| Woosehill A329 underpass. Colourful. |
We cut through Mill Close then another cut through on the new estate emerging onto Queens Road cyclepath. Our group of 8 split into two for the next section, over the motorways and right into Pound Lane. It was quite cold to start with, but we soon warmed up.
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| Broadcomon Lane, Hurst. The ditch was running fast. |
Still in 2 groups, we continued along The Straight Mile, turning right into Hungerford Lane and just for a change, carried straight on, rather than left into West End Lane. Hmmm. That was a mistake. A massive flood across the road. Me leading, with 7 following, I felt that I had to show leadership here, 😂. It was too long to go through without peddling, and in a few spots it definitely got deeper. Even with waterproof boots and socks on, it doesn't help with the water comes over the top!
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| Hungerford Lane. Keep peddling! |
Straight over at the pond in Shurlock Row, and a left turn into Beenhams Heath. We stopped to look at the Haystack, since some hadn't seen it before.
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| The Haystack on Shurlock Road |
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Sue pointing out something in the tree.....
Amy, Linda C, Amanda T, Beth, Sue P, Louise and Linda B. |
To give me a chance to chat to Sue, we put Louise in charge for the next couple of miles through Waltham St Lawrence to the A4 at Hare Hatch, then dropped into Wargrave. The cafe was busy, so we requested some tables to be set up in the bike rack area. It was initially a little cool in there, but hot water bottles were handed out.😊
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| Tartan covered hot water bottles at H'Artisan. |
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| Gill now joined us. |
A nice chat over drinks and we then headed up the hill out of Wargrave to cross the A4 this time into Ruscombe. There were quite dramatic skies at this point, but no rain, infact the sun was very pleasant.
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Gill just about to leave us to make her way back on "the high road" through
Twyford, to the top and of Sandford Lane. |
We cut through Broad Hinton, and through the Hurst Lanes then up Church Hill. As we came down Church Hill, a car coming towards us slowed, and with his window down shouted "WATER!!". This can be a problem area, so time to get wet feet once more.
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| Church Hill, Hurst. |
No more floods, or nothing too bad on the rest of our trip back to Woosehill.
(Hubby had been out this morning to Crazies Hill and had got rained on 3 times with heavy showers. So as well as wet feet, he was wet all over. He said the worst flood he went through this morning was at the top of Church Hill at Waltham Place. I've not experienced that one, but note to avoid it on future trips when lots of flooding around.)
Thanks all for your good company this Monday morning. Hope to see you again next week when temperature are back to normal.
