Since only 1 of my regular Friday ride buddies was free today, we decided to join Hazel's Breeze ride to Wargrave. Also a chance to catch up with Hazel, who is only free on Fridays. Sue was assisting. I was looking forward to a nice relaxed ride with no responsibility. 😊 I got my bike off it's stand at 9am, ready to set off for Cantley by 9.05, only to find it had a completely flat tyre. Suddenly not so relaxing!
(I had ridden through some hedge clippings on my Wednesday Breeze ride, which were all across the road. I had got away with one small branch stuck into my tyre, which I pulled out on my ride, but no puncture. What I found this morning were TWO more thorns inside the tyre. Always worth checking for a second one... add a third! I am amazed that I made it home on Wednesday!! If any of the ladies who rode on Wednesday are reading this, might be worth checking your bike, incase you also have a slow puncture.)
I got my tube replaced at record speed, and shot off to Cantley, at 13.5mph. I was on time, infact got there before some of the others. 😂 It was a mild day again today, and I was already warm.
No photos enroute today, since Hazel doesn't stop much. We climbed Carters Hill, along Howe Lane as far as the roundabout, and then left towards Beenham Heath, continuing right through Shurlock Row to the Old Bell at Waltham St Lawrence. We did pull over for a drink stop at that point. Carrying straight on, we crossed the A4 at Hare Hatch and dropped into Wargrave on Wargave Hill.
We arrived at l'Hartisan, which was busy, but Hazel had reserved a table for 9 of us, so we had bar stools in the " Bike room." Perfect. Louise had half of her dressing up box with her. She had panniers on her bike today. So a few bits of head gear were provide. 😂
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| The Chef joined us for a few minutes wearing his own Christmas outfit. Then he asked if he could photograph our group for their Instagram Page. |
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| Louise and Clare |
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| Kim and Clare |
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| Me, Kim, Clare. |
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| Selfie by Angela. Kim, Clare, Sue, Louise, Amy, Hazel, me. Linda, Angela. |
Refreshed, we cut through to the church in Wargrave and onto Station Road. Along Loddon Drive, where one driver muttered F.F.S. ( It s a private road). But otherwise, plain sailing. I say sailing, since the wind had picked up with some strong gusts by this time.
Finally back crossing the A4 at Charvil, to Lands End and down Sandford Lane to Hurst.
That was definitely my final Christmas Breeze Ride. It's been so nice to have the chance to meet up with many of our regular rides over the past couple of weeks, doing rides on different days.
Our family arrive from NY today, and more family coming and going every day and staying until January 4th! So I will not be offering any rides personally for the next couple of weeks. I may have a few more grey hairs by the time I lead my next ride. 😜😕😦Merry Christmas.
