BR SHP to Windsor Park with Cathy 32 miles (from home )

on

Since I'm leading a Breeze ride on Thursday this week, I asked Cathy if ok to join with her Wednesday ride today. This was her 150th ride as a leader. Amazing. (I'm not so far behind with 133).  The riders who signed up changed a lot over the last few days, and we ended up with a group of 4 plus myself and Cathy. We started at SHP officially, but I rode to Cathy' house and together, we rode to SHP. (since I can't remember how to get there on a bike, after the grounds of Easthampstead Park!)

(Just about 10 mins before I left this morning, I picked up and almost empty plastic bag from the floor and trapped a nerve in my back.😒 I almost didn't go, but once on my bike I was fine, or so I thought until I had to stop at a junction, then it was agony. I took a pain killer at SHP hoping it would improve. )

Route link

Beautiful from the word go today at SHP, and teeshirt weather.

We wiggled our way through Bracknell on the cyclepaths which
Cathy knows well... unlike me! 

We cut through Lily Hill Park, and then I knew the rest of of the route as we climbed Lily Hill Road,  Long Hill Road, and into the offroad section called Sandy Lane. We cut through at the Library, and into Burleigh Lane, to the entrance to Ascot Racecourse. 


Our usual route next, heading to Watersplash Lane, but passing it, to drop downhill to Cheapside to enter the Great Park via Mill Lane to the Blacknest entrance. A cheeky little climb just before the entrance.

Just inside the Blacknest Entrance to Windsor Park.
This avenue of trees was stunning in the Autumn.

Continuing past the Polo lawn (where I normally turn right to pass the Obelisk Pond), we continued straight, and took the next right to the Saville Garden Cafe. (I normally arrive from the other direction).

The planting looking gorgeous.
Echinacea, Perovskia, Echinops, Sedum, Stipa Gigantea, Lavender, Verbena Bonariensis

Not busy today, and pleasantly warm sitting out in mid 20's.

Carol, Denise and Amy enjoying the planting

Myself, Gill, Amy, Carol, Denise and  Cathy
(taken by a passer by)

Took another pain killer at this point. 😔. Initially we retraced our route before following the signage to pass the Royal School. Denise had been talking about some of the U3a now having ebikes, so Amy kindly allowed her to try her's out in the park. She enjoyed it! Oh dear!!

Denise ahead on Amy's ebike. (Amy behind on Denise's bike 😂)
Amy got her bike back just in time before the climb to the exit.

End of the climb before we drop down to Watersplash Lane, to climb up again. 

After the Racecourse, our route was along the footpath of the A329. Busy today, as usual, with roadworks bringing traffic to a standstill.

We eventually crossed the A329, to cut back through and retraced our route as far as Savernake Park, and then a different approach back to SHP.  Denise was peddling back to Binfield, and Cathy and myself  back home. A beautiful day to be out, just a pity that I was wincing every time we stopped. Hoping for a big improvement overnight, since I am leading tomorrow's ride.