We got back from Scotland last night after attending Annie's funeral, and other family visits. Since we missed our regular Monday and Wednesday rides, I rode with John today. We never ride on Thursdays! He suggested driving to Emmer Green. Checking bike tyres before we left, his gravel bike had a puncture, so he took his road bike.
It was only 2 degrees as we set off from Emmer Green. Brrr. He suggested heading down to Goring, then coffee at Blue Tin. That sounds like a lot of hills!
The ride was a strange shape in the end. A sort of figure of 8, with an extra loop off to the side. ( I have just learned how to do a screen shot, using Windows key, shift, and S all at once. It brings up a "snip and sketch" window, so you can use just the section you want. Then just paste in here, with Ctrl V. Simples.... if I can remember all that !😂) Route
We cycled downhill to pass Reading Golf Club, and the road often floods here. But we have not had rain for ages. There was still ice! So we tentatively went over it, to climb up towards Kidmore End. We decided to stick to the lanes with better surfaces today, so skipped crossing the A4074 on Mill Lane... which would be a mess. Its always a mess. We continued to Wyfold Road.
A bit of a gloomy start to the day. Wyfold Road. |
LEft at the XRoads, which meant we came to Hook End. There had been some really bad ice here a couple of weeks ago. It was still a bit treacherous, but some dry channels to get passed it. Then the slog of Deers Lane to Checkendon. I was warming up!
Left in Checkendon, across the A4074, and left to Greenmoor Hill, then into Pot Kiln Lane to start our descent into Goring. Some lovely patches of snowdrops on our way down. We also passed a mobility scooter on its way down here.
Elvendon Lane |
Just short of Goring, we joined the Ridgeway path between the Thames and the railway, and made our way towards Grove Road , with pig city on our right.
Lots of Piggies alongside Grove Road. |
Grove Road, just before the farm. |
As we headed towards the area where the little airfield used to be, I remembered John telling me, that it was no longer an airfield. It has all been turned to farmland. We turned right at the X roads to climb South Stoke Road up to Woodcote. I was far too warm! It's not steep but goes on, and on, and on. I was puffing a lot, but didn't stop, whilst John on his road bike, and more fit, was fine.
We used Tidmore Lane, Woodcote, to loop back to cross the A4074 once more into Checkendon. Then our usual route passing the equestrian centre to the Blue Tin shop. It was now 8 degrees, and very pleasant to sit in the sun.
Selfie. |
baby Dexters. |
We returned to Emmer Green via Stoke Row, then down passed the piggies on Busgrove Lane.
Sunbeams on Wyfold Road as we headed towards Sonning Common. |
Then passed the Pet Barn to Binfield Heath. So a few more undulations. It was 1500 feet by the time we finished. Still building back my fitness, so feeling a bit weary this afternoon. Lovely ride in the sun.