It's still unseasonably mild, but with cooler, wetter weather now forecast. But not until tonight! So we got lucky today, nice and dry, and around 19 degrees, for our 40 mile ride from Woosehill to Pangbourne. It's a route I've done with friends a few times now, but not led it as a Breeze Ride, so lots of new roads for the ladies today. Sue was able to join me as an assistant, which was nice, since not seen much of her over the summer. (We have both had a few holidays!)
Route link (photo of route at end)
A familiar route to start. Up Sandford Lane to Woodley, and then in two groups we rode through Sonning, turning left at the Playhatch roundabout, as far as the Caversham Park Road. We jumped on to the cyclepath up to Caversham Park Village, which is all up hill of course, with one very cheeky section of 11% gradient.
Across to Kidmore End Road, where we often continue downhill passed the golf course, to climb to Kidmore End. But not today. Instead we wiggled through the back roads, to drop down steeply on Gravel Hill, to Bugs Bottom. It's also a cheeky climb towards the end, but we all made it. Then we continued on the quiet, undulating road through Tokers Green.
(Some of my shots are badly out of focus today for some reason. Apologies!)
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| Nice morning although gloomy. Not the best photos today. |
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| Views from Tokers Green, looking back to Bugs Bottom area. |
Then, a left turn into Mill Lane, whose surface has not improved! We spaced out well apart, and unfortunately the second half of the group met a car approaching, just in the wrong place. We had to dismount, then struggled to get back on. But then a steep downhill before the even steeper uphill. (But the lowest section is very gravelly, so you cant risk getting your speed up before hitting the climb.)
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| Top of the climb in Mill Lane, where we now cross the A4074 (sorry. Out of focus Sandra!) |
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| This is a dangerous crossing! Fast traffic and trucks coming over a hill behind you. We all walked on the grass verge, then dashed over opposite the turning. Much safer. Quiet roads now as we rode through Trench Green heading to Goring Heath, where we turned left at the cross roads. Soon a fast downhill, and another cheeky uphill. I pulled over at the top for us to regroup at the corner called Oak Cottages East. (I see on the map that the Chiltern Way path comes through here) |
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| Oak Cottage East, before we drop down at that tree ahead, and into Whitchurch |
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| Ready for the big downhill, at Oak Cottages East. |
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| I took the back, since I didn't fancy climbing back up if anyone got in trouble! |
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| On a sharp RH bend, the road flattens and changes name to Hardwick Road |
Passing the Alpacas, we came to a T junction in Whitchurch, facing this building. Rose had spotted something unusual in the upstairs windows when we passed this way on a different route a few weeks ago.
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| Bikes in both Bay windows. |
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| Rose proudly showing her "banana bag" aka her sunglasses case. She has to choose them carefully so they fit perfectly. 😂 |
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| Was Baxters now Artichoke Cafe. |
With jackets back on whilst sat outside, we continued for less than half a mile on the A329, then right into Sulham Lane. There are some very pretty properties on this lane, and very quiet too. At the end at the Tjunction, a left then immediately a right turn at this gorgeous little thatch house, into a gravelly track, Nunhide Lane.
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Right turn here at this gorgeous thatch. |
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| And next to the cottage is the church Lychgate. Saddlecam selfie Sandra, Sue, Kathie, Amanda T, Me, Angela, Louise, Rose. |
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| Nunhide Lane has lovely open views. The track is a bit potholed but not too bad. In the distance is Wilder's Folly, built around 1768, which we will pass on our left after about 1 mile. |
We emerged at IKEA, and crossed the pedestrian bridge over the M4 into High Street,Theale. This is not a street you would ever drive through, since it's a dead end. But, I spotted a new cafe! I popped into check opening times etc. EVERY DAY! They have been open for 18months.
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| Bradleys Barrista cafe in High Street Theale. Bradleys website |
We left Theale, over the railway bridge, and arrived at the traffic light controlled Canal bridge. There was a queue of cars, and nothing seemed to be happening. I noticed a passenger in one of the front cars get out and start walking to investigate. We all went on the footpath, so managed safely across the first bridge, but there are two, and forward traffic coming our way. We were soon able to continue, and I don't think it came as a huge surprise to anyone, that we would now be climbing again, away from the canal. 😏
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| Kennet and Avon, Theale |
We started our climb on Jacques Lane, then to Sulhampstead Road up to Burghfield.
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| Top of Sulhampstead Road towards Burghfield |
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| Sulhampstead Road views. |
From Burghfield, down James Lane to Grazeley Green, then back on a more familiar route to Three Mile Cross to Shinfield, popping out at the church next to L'ortalon. The remainder of our route was on cycle paths on Cutbush Lane to Lower Earley, then on Hatch Farm Way back to Winnersh.
We left Sue, Kathie and Sandra who headed on the new Northern Distribution cyclepaths, whilst the others joined me through Saddlers Lane to Woosehill.
Well done everyone. Quite a few ups and downs in the first half of our ride, (and were there also some in the second half?😉 but no problem to your seasoned cyclists.
