WLCG Henley via Shiplake - 32 miles

It was lovely to have Andrea join us today for the first time in a while. It's been fairly dry for a few days now, so we were hoping that any slippery leaved roads would be fine. Annoyingly, with a dry forecast, it did start to drizzle just as we met up. Martina found some excuse not to join us again today 😉, and Jeanette and Gill were on a painting course with Liz Baldin. (I am currently paying for two online courses, so have enough tuition to keep me busy for a while!)

Route link

I suggested a repeat of a ride I did with John last weekend, basically to Henley, but dropping into Shiplake to enjoy Woodlands Avenue to Harpsden. We started off by riding up Sandford Lane, and with 3 cars following us, pulled over opposite Gill's house to let them pass. 

Stopping on Sandford Lane. Not the best light today for photos.

Andrea also decided to put her light rain jacket on, and I noticed that the zip had separated at the bottom.... as they sometimes do.  As I pulled away, I realised that my front tyre was flat. 😞 (second puncture on 2 rides, my rear tyre on Wednesday.)

Photo by Louise. Getting the tyre off. 

15 mins to fix it. Flint was the culprit this time.

It was still drizzling, and so we decided to go over Sonning bridge and climb to Dunsden, and then would decide to possibly cut the ride short if still wet. I was keen for Andrea to do this hill to get back her confidence.

By the time we reached Charvil, Andrea decided to remove her jacket.
But the zip was stuck 😂😂😂

The river at Sonning was pretty high and running fast. At Dunsden we continued straight on all the way to Binfield Heath X Roads.  Andrea said she took her time, on Dunsden Hill, but it was plenty fast enough for me. Well done Andrea. You're back!

Binfield Heath X Roads, and now a right turn to Shiplake. 

 Stopping at the village shop wit horse of course.

We enjoyed the downhill, and then forked left into Shiplake Cross, then a dog leg across the A4155, and further downhill to Lower Shiplake. 

more downhll to Lower Shiplake. 

Emerging at the war memorial, from Shiplake
to once more dogleg over the A4155, into Woodlands Avenue
(blue sky! hurray)

Woodlands Avenue.
I told them to carry on, and I would see them at the bottom of the hill into Harpsden.

And now the big downhill to emerge in Harpsden. Gloomy weather still. 

I suggested we go down Mill Lane to use the footpath alongside the river, since it wouldn't be busy today. Louise's chain came off as she joined the short stretch of the A4155, but she and Andrea got it back on. 

These two trees near Marsh Lock, often look stunning, but not the best light today.

Almost empty path alongside the river. 

These two greet you at the Rowing museum car park.
So lifelike! Steve Redgrave and Mathew Pincent.

Louise commented that the cakes were just like the ones at Velolife.
That because this IS another Velolife Cafe, just opened last week. I thought every knew that. 

Then Breeze leader Sarah from Cookham arrived with her group,
including Rose and Jessica that I rode with on Wednesday.
 We also met LAST FRIDAY on our WLCG ride in Cranbourne. 😆

The sun is out! This taken by Verity , one of the other riders. 
photo bombed by Rose.

These high viz jackets are terrible in bright sunlight! 

Look forward to sitting out on the deck in the summer here. 

the Cookham ladies inside. 

Selfie. Liked the branch of the Willow tree as a my frame. 😉

The northerly wind had picked up and the temperature dropped to 6.5 degrees as we rode over the river  heading for Remenham Lane. 

Crossing the river, just waiting for our green light. 

We were a bit more protected from the wind on Remenham Lane, and warmed up as we climbed Aston Lane. As we turned off  into Culham Lane, and even though I promised not to stop for any more photos, everyone thought this was worth a shot. 

The backlit Beech Hedge along the estate on Culham Lane.
( It looks like plastic fencing!)

From Crazies Hill, to Tag Lane and Castle End Road, Ruscombe, where this field had the Mustard crop. It didn't look that good looking ahead, but I turned to look back and it was stunning with great clouds now too. 

Castle End Road, Ruscombe. 

Next to Ruscombe Church, whilst Lynne put her gloves on. (must be cold) 

It was very breeze now, and we opted to return via Hurst to Dinton for a bit more protection from the wind. 

So glad that we didn't cut our ride short since it turned out a beautiful day. Forecast overnight is dropping to freezing, and next week looking pretty cold, so time for the thermal vest. 😨