Breeze to White Waltham airport - 27 miles

With the forecast for today only just above freezing, I planned a short local ride of either 20 or 25 miles, depending on how the group felt on the day. Only the hardy were foolish enough to sign up and join me in 2 degrees!  One lady cancelled this morning due to feeling a bit unwell, but Rose took the chance to take the space. I wore a thermal vest, long sleeved top, winter cycling jacket, and waterproof on top. Also, woolen snood, gloves and liners, Seal Skin socks and winter cycling boots. I was cosy!

I also promised not to stop for any photos, since too much trouble to take gloves off, and wanted to keep us moving. However of course, we also had some nose blow stops... which became the photo opportunities, since it's impossible to blow your nose wearing two pairs of gloves.  😂

Although we were only heading to White Waltham, I thought it important to include as many hills as possible to keep us warm, so our first climb was over Carter's Hill. The sun was out and it was a gorgeous morning. And it definitively warmed us up. We managed just short of 1000 feet overall today.

Route link (photo of route at end)

Top of Carter's Hill where the trees were looking gorgeous. 

Nose blow stop, Carters Hill. 

We dropped down Billingbear Lane, which was lovely as more often that is one I come up. Then a bit more climbing on the way to Shurlock Row, crossing the motorway. Next nosebow stop at the village pond, which was actually looking quite nice today thanks to the low light. 

Shurlock Row pond catching the light. So often it looks miserable.

I think at this point, a Calendar Girls style calendar was mentioned. 😂

We continued with Louise and Kim in charge, turning into Smewins Road, Beenham Heath, and then right to White Waltham airport. I have taken groups here a few times over the years, but recently it  has been questioned whether we are members?  So, having phoned a few days ago to ask if it would be ok to call in for coffee, I had the ok, and it was noted in their diary to expect 6 of us.  They couldn't have been more pleasant today! But, not to make a habit of it, since it is really a members club. 

I asked the postman to take a team photo. It's in focus.  Hurray!!
Plenty of planes buzzing around today with almost no wind. 

Rose's first visit to the airport cafe.  It's like a time warp. 

Contre-Jour photo in the cafe. 

Selfie. Loved the flag on the piano behind Rose.
Kim, Louise, Jeanette, Rose, me, Amanda T.

It was only 10.30am, but not too early for hot soup for Rose.😋 (There were 3 soups on offer).  I had the BEST Lemon cake in any cafe I have visited, and tea and cake was £3.50. Bargain. 

Nice chat over coffees, and without putting anything too personal in my blogs, it is noted that you have to be careful not to mention to one rider where you are planning a holiday, or she might just gatecrash! 😅

Another topic discussed today was Amanda's "mini skirt" which she wears in cold weather.. over her trousers... not instead of!  And I WILL mention it here, since some of your ladies reading this, might be interested too. It's called a Haramaki, which is Japanese, and it's used for keeping your core and kidneys warm.  I've ordered mine. Here is a link to one website. https://www.nukunuku.co.uk/haramaki-3-c.asp

Time to leave and a plane taking off. 

We continued into White Waltham village, then left into Breadcroft Lane, and soon onto  the Knowl Hill Circuit. It can be a bit exposed here, but today there was not a breath of wind.  My planned route was to start to head back via Waltham St Lawrence, but it was such a gorgeous morning, and we were all nice and warm, so we agreed to extend a little.   By turning right, and not left on Bottle Lane, we warmed up again on a climb to Crazies Hill. 

Change of plan... let's go right and up to Crazies Hill. 

(As we passed Velolife, I spotted a jacket I recognised, which was my hubby. We didnt stop, but he was also enjoying the weather today and just kept going, doing nearly 40 miles before he came home.)

As we arrived just a few yards short of the  XRoads in Crazies Hill,  2 large deer shot out across the road! Frightened the life out of those of us at the front, as they very nearly took us out!! Had to slam on the brakes, incase more deer followed.  But they were beautiful and almost a silvery grey colour. 

We rode on Highfield Lane from Crazies Hill to Warfield, and Rose mentioned that she had not ridden here before. Lovely lane, passing a tiny Hamlet and the old barn, now converted. We climbed Mumberry Hill to cross the A4 at Hare Hatch, but Mumberry Hill was busier than usual today. Infact Amanda, who lives locally, said she's never seen it so busy. There are some road works blocking Blakes Road atm, so guess the diversion was the reason. 

We came via Ruscombe next, and dropped down Broad Hinton to Hurst, where, just for a change, we turned at the right fork into Lodge Road.   Had we stayed on Lodge Road, we would have missed the chance of one more hill, so we looped around into Sawpit Road, to climb Church Hill... just incase anyone was feeling chilly.😉

Finally, back over the motorway at Dinton and to Woosehill. 

Thanks to you all for your good company. It was so nice to make the most of the sunshine this morning. There is no such thing as the wrong kind of weather, as long as you are dressed appropriately.