How lovely to catch up today with several ladies whom I've not seen for ages! Sue was able to join me today, so we took 6 riders with us. I've not seen Sue since her Orkney adventures, and not seen Carol this year! And not much of Barbara either. So lots to chat about, although many wanted to hear about my recent cycle holiday in Croatia. A summary.... "Fabulous, highly recommend it." One rider had to cancel this morning, but Amanda O was on the waiting list, so filled the place.
With rain forecast for 1'ish, I tried to keep a reasonable pace going today, but everyone was fine with the pace anyway. We left on the cyclepaths of the Northern Distribution Road, then to Binfield. Big downhill to Stag and Hounds, on Tilehurst Lane, then into Ryehurst Lane, where we stopped for a drink and photo at the end.
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| Joining Bottle Lane from Ryehurst Lane |
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| We stopped just a few yards from the end of Bottle Lane, to allow a truck to pass,and also to split in to 2 groups for the short section of main road. We had never noticed this pretty cottage before! |
At Ferneygrove, we split again into two for the half mile or so along the Ascot Road, over the Drift Road roundabout, and soon left into Sheepcote Lane, Paley Street. Barbara overshot, but heard that she literally had "a bee in her bonnet" at the time 😦
Through Paley Street, over the M4, and right into Church Lane, where we stopped at Waltham Place.
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| Bike racks Waltham Place |
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The Barn cafe area is lovely, but we opted to take the one table they have outside,
and added a few more seats. |
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| the farm shop adjoins the cafe. |
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Barbara asked me "what is this plant Anne?"
"Hollyhocks I replied"
"Oh no!!!" she said. "I've been pulling them out thinking it was a weed!"
(she had planted them😂) |
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| Me, Louise, Amanda T, Carol, Sue, Barbara, Amanda O, Sandra. |
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The coffee drinkers moaned that their coffee had been "plunged" before it was handed to them.
(apparently it needs time to mellow first) |
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| Carol having a good time. |
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| 11.20 when we left. |
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| nice little sheltered spot. |
We left, continuing downhill into White Waltham, where we hopped on to the footpath, since the road can at times be pretty busy. Some footpaths are complete overgrown atm, but this one had the grass cut on one side, so was a good track. Then into Breadcroft Lane. Some of the ladies not been before.
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| Walnut Tree, Bottle Lane. |
We cut through Shottesbrook park, but no lambs there now. ( I think we know where they are 😕), and then around the back of Waltham St Lawrence to come out at The Bell Pub. My Garmin was playing up today, so I couldn't quite remember which was the planned route back, to make it 25 miles. I opted for Sillbridge Road, then wiggled through the lanes to Shurlock Row. Finally back on Straight Mile to Hurst and over the motorways to Cantley. 12.58. NO rain!!
Thanks to Sue and all the riders for your good company today. Enjoy your summer adventures those who are off once more, and hope to see a few of you again in the next couple of weeks before I also go off again.
This is what my Garmin recorded today. Very strange.
