Breeze Riseley to Pamber End - 26 miles (Cold!!!)

When I loaded up this ride on Let's Ride a few days ago, the forecast was for 8 degrees, with possible showers. WRONG! I had to scrape the ice off the van this morning, and the door handles were frozen solid. I was on the verge of cancelling the ride, but with sun forecast by 10 o'clock, it seemed a shame to cancel. I thought perhaps a few of the riders would cancel on me.... but none did!. (they are hardy!)

I had 5 signed up straight away, and since Sue had to cancel her ride yesterday due to rain, I offered to also take the two who had been on my waiting list, and who missed out on their ride yesterday with Sue.  So we were 8. I shared the route with the ladies, so that we could share who led, and also split into 2 groups where necessary.

It was a foggy morning, and the  temperature dropped to -1degrees as we drove to Riseley. 😧😧😧

Route link

A foggy, very chilly start at Riseley Hall car park at 9.30

With 4 layers on, and 3 of us also wearing our Japanese Belly Warmers, we set off via Bull Lane. I suggested we turn right at the T junction on Bull Lane, and join Barge Lane, to avoid whizzing downhill on Welsh Lane (nr Welly Farm Shop).  But within 50 yrds, a massive flood on Bull Lane, so we doubled back and DID whizz down Welsh Lane. It's always cold here!  So even with 2 pairs of gloves on, fingers were already feeling cold. 😖

Never mind, we would soon be into a little rise to warm us up, except that Jeanette had a puncture. We had barely done 2 miles. 

Park Lane, Stratfield Saye, where Jeanette had a puncture. 

I was much relieved when she insisted we carry one, and she would walk back up to Welly Farm Shop, where her husband could collect her. It was too cold to hang around, and for fixing punctures. So, big thanks to Jeanette for a quick decision, and to her husband who is known to be a bit of star at picking her up. 😇.  So we were 7.

Heading up Park Lane, where this little rise helped... a bit... to warm us up.

Looking back on Park Lane, the sun is trying to break through. Hurry up!

We split into groups of 4 and 3 as we joined the main road towards Mortimer. Then, not far before our left turn, I heard a noise I didn't like the sound of.  Louise, in front of me had a flat back tyre. 😞  I asked her to continue just a few yards to get off the main road, where we found a bit of road with a few shafts of sunlight coming through.  Our 3rd rider rode off the catch up with the other 4 to share the good news. This was 5 miles into our ride, and too far to walk back. Also, I had given Louise a lift. 

I suggested the other riders just keep peddling up and down this road to keep warm, rather than stand around.    I tried for several  minutes to get the tyre off over the rim, without success, but also  realised it was not going to be any easier getting it back on. (When that happens, you cant even push your bike, so you are worse off.) So, we needed a plan B.

Whilst I kept trying, I asked Louise to phone Jeanette, who was walking to Welly Farm Shop, to ask if her husband could also collect Louise? They would try, but have no bike rack.  Thankfully, with both wheels off, they did manage to fit them all, and two bikes in their car. (We didn't wait, too cold.  But I  did get a message to say they were on the way, and also when they got home).

Leaving Louise for the cavalry to pick her up. 

Louise has never fixed a puncture on her bike, so didn't know how hard/easy it was to remove the tyres. I know that lots of ladies read my blogs, so I would like to make a plea here.  PLEASE TRY REMOVING YOUR FRONT WHEEL, AND TYRE AT HOME in a warm place!   (The back wheel is more complicated, but it's the same tyre problem as the front)  If you physically can't get your tyre off over the rim using tyre levers,  then probably neither can you fellow riders.  I am happy to help to fix punctures, but only if can get the tyre off.  I changed the tyres on my new bike after my first puncture, since I could not get them off. Thank you ladies! 

So, now we are 6.

By the time I had wrestled with Louise's tyre, I had actually warmed up! We now headed towards Silchester with a handy rise again to warm us up once more. Then to Pamber Heath and Tadley, and into the quiet Church Lane, which is also mostly a gentle uphill to keep us warm. And continuing to West Heath where we turned left into The Common.

Mist now lifted at The Common, West Heath. 

Lovely quiet lanes via Charter Alley and a left turn at The Priory School. At the junction with the busy Aldermaston Road, we nipped on to the footpath for the short distance to the cafe at Pamber End.

 

Little Rose's Coffee Shop, Pamber End,
We sat upstairs. 

All nicely warmed up now.
Me, Amy, Amanda T, Amanda O, Rose, Kim

Poor Amanda O's hands were freezing, so I donated some hand warmers which did the trick. 😊 It's a nice coffee stop with outside tables for warmer weather with country views.

cafe view. Blue sky! 

Out of the cafe and a left turn onto Bramley Road to soon climb up through Little London. The lanes got a bit messy on Frog Lane and Ash Lane, but no problem with flooding until we turned in to Clapper Farm Road.  

Clappers Farm Road

In the sunshine it was a glorious day. Now 3.8 degrees! 😎

Clappers Farm Ford running fast today.

We retraced our route up Park Lane to Mortimer Lane (where we had left Louise) but this time headed right, and soon into Green Lane, West End, one of my favourites.

Green Lane, West End. Beautiful day now. 

Green Lane, West End

Having encountered some flooding on Clappers Farm Road, I was expecting further flooding around Stratfield Saye..... my Nemisis.  There was a huge puddle, but not flooded. ( I bet it will be by Friday with lots of rain due tomorrow).   One final climb back up Welsh Drive, and back to Riseley car park.

Well done team for coming out on such a cold morning. Our average temperature was 2.7degrees. It was touch and go whether to cancel, but after the first 20 miles it was fine. 😂 

And thanks to my hubby, for cleaning my filthy bike this afternoon. 😍

Today's route