I am still trying to find new routes for the regular Breeze riders, but it gets more difficult! Mostly a variation on a theme. But I succeeded today as we passed through Trash Green.... where?! 😂
We met at FBC and headed to Arborfield along Nine Mile Ride extension and cut through the little path (old part of Hogwood Lane) onto Sheerlands Road. Then over Farley Hill going up Church Lane, to Castle Road. Seems like Rose didn't get the memo about wearing red today. 😉 Some started in long sleeves, and after this hill, the rest of the layers came off. Very mild today and quite humid. We were hoping to get ahead of Storm Agnes, but we did have some blustery winds later into our ride.
Route link (copy of map at end)
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| Saddlecam shot. Top of Church Lane Farley Hill. Rose, Louise, Amy, Kim, me Gill |
Familiar roads (for me), as we we passed through Swallowfield, across the green bridge to climb to Beech Hill Road. We went straight over into White Horse Lane and left to Yew Tree Lane, to join Beech Hill Road a little further along. Then enjoyed the long downhill over the A33 and into Beech Hill Village.
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| Mortimer Lane, Stratfield Mortimer. |
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| Continuing on Mortimer Lane, for just short of 2 miles, passing the sneaky back entrance to Wokefield Park. |
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| This house on a bend on Mortimer Lane, which I normally approach from the opposite direction. Great fun today to be going all downhill towards the end of the lane to briefly join Goring Lane. |
A dog leg on Goring Lane, and left into James Lane with a slight rise into Burghfield. Left at the village green and over into the quiet Theale Road, passing a few houses on our left with open views to the right. Then, we come to the sign for the next village.... Trash Green. What a terrible name!
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| Sorry, badly out of focus. |
After about 100 yards, traffic light control before we drop down on the hairpin bend on Hose Hill. That was fun. (we could have cut down Bennetts Hill, just opposite the Trash Green sign, but that misses out on the hairpin.)
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| Views from Deans Copse Road junction. |
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| Any minute now. |
A dogleg on Burghfield Road into Amners Farm Road, alongside the M4 and where all the equestrian fields are. I have only ridden this road once before, and was sure it was deserted, but we did have some traffic today, and into a head wind. We wiggled our way to cross the lights at the A33, then around the back lanes of Three Mile Cross, and up a gravel track on Hyde End Lane. I had once come down that gravel track, but could never find it again! It soon improves to a really good wide tarmac path, and we cut through a little "snicket" to emerge exactly opposite St Mary's Church, Shinfield.
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| St Mary's Church, Shinfield. "Gateway Cafe" |
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| This little Hamlet next to L'Ortalon has some beautiful old buildings (L'Ortalon is the old Rectory). |
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| Bell ringing practice |
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| Fresh flowers too. Alstromeria. |
I bought two teas and two generous slices of delicious fruit cake. It was £4 in total! I told then they need to put their prices up, but they are trying to encourage people to visit for an affordable cuppa and a chat. (There is also a donation system, payable by card).
(NB If anyone is reading who might want to use the Church Cafe. They are open Mon - Fri 10-12, but only until END OF OCTOBER. After that, they plan to open FRIDAYS only, but the time may change to 12-2, and would be in the hall next door, as too cold in the church. )
Lovely chat over coffees and discussed decorating and soft furnishing ideas for a certain "Colin". 😂
Just a few miles back to FBC, and we rode in 2 groups along the A327 Arborfield Road, before turning into the quiet Greensward Lane, and then the horrible climb over the Observer Way bridge. Back then via the Arborfield Green way to FBC.
Well done team. Someone mentioned a good pace today. It was and fighting into wind at times too. NO major climbs, but we still climbed around 1200feet.
