This is Blog number 850, and shock horror.... it's Tuesday! Who ever rides on a Tuesday?
I knew I wasn't able to offer a Wednesday ride this week, and Thursdays weather had potential for snow forecast, so I opted for today. But I wasn't free until after Pilates. So, a late start at 11.45am, which was just a well, since at 9.30 it was well below freezing.š±. It was forecast to warm up by 11 o'clock, and with wall to wall sunshine forecast, any ice should have melted by then.
4 ladies signed up to join me, although I thought some would cancel this morning when it was -4 ..... but they didn't. I am suffering with a cold atm, so although desperate to get out, I wouldn't have minded tooo much if no one wanted to join me. š
It was very nice to meet Diane for the first time, who drove from Caversham to Woosehill, where I also met up with Jeanette and Denise. I had told them all not to arrive "early" today, but just on time since too cold to hang around. But no sign of Jessica 5 mins after we were due to start, so I called to make sure she was on her way. (Sometimes the cancellations don't work on the website).
"I'm here" Jessica said.
"OK, great.... where exactly since I can't see you "
"In the car park, where we met last week".
"Ah. That means you are at Cantley, and not Woosehill. We will be there in 10 mins!"
(I naturally thought I had advertised the wrong postcode, but Diane got the right place.Just saying.š)
Not a problem, just a change to the first section of the planned route, which was going out of Wokingham to Binfield, via Ludgrove. The incline to Binfield Road on the Diamond Jubilee Way warmed us up, and it was glorious in the sunshine on Binfield Road. Having reached Binfield, we left it again passing Newbold College, and dropped all the way down Jock's Lane. Over Cabbage Hill next, and by that time all nice and toasty.
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| Catkins at the top of climb on Cabbage Hill. |
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| Next to the Catkins, and a good chance for a nose blow too. (not just me!) Denise, Diane, Jeanette, Jessica. |
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| Selfie saddlecam as we pass through Cabbage Hill cycle paths. |
At the XRoads at the traffic lights in Warfield, I did warm them that the lane straight over is usually pretty shady, so just be cautious of any puddles which may be icy. What I hadn't expected was a burst waterpipe so there was ice all over the road for quite a long stretch! Eek. I am very cautious on ice, whereas Denise and Jessica seemed not too bothered as they rode off in to the distance. (After my fall on wet leaves last year, I know it takes months to recover!)
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| Chaining our bikes to the trellis at the "outside" area of The Potting Shed Cafe, Oaktree Nursery. |
Most of us ordered a sandwich, since it was 12.30ish. A good selection and quick service delivering them freshly made to our table. With new Breeze rider Diane with us, it was interesting to compare notes on cycling holidays with our recommendations, both UK and overseas. Then we retraced part of our route back to Warfield Church, and as we turned in to Wellers Lane, Nr Frost Folly, a load more ice on the road. With a car driving towards us, I opted to get off and walk on the grass verge.
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| Regrouping at the end of Howe Lane. The winter sun now low in the sky as we head to Binfield. |
We cut through the estate passing Foxes Den cafe, and into the quiet Murrel Hill Lane.
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| Murrel Hill Lane, Binfield. Another large area of ice. Time to walk again! |
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| Walking around the ice on Murrell Hill Lane which looked nasty. A mix of slush and black ice. |
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| Todays route, which changed a bit. |