WLCG Stubbings loop (avoiding floods!) 25 miles

This morning, our final Christmas visitors left us, relying on a lift to the Services just beyond the Severn Bridge. I normally go to share the driving, but John insisted I didn't need to .... so I didn't argue! (Other than one day since December 24th , this will be the first day without family staying.) It's been lovely to see them, but tooooo long.   We are both looking forward to normality at home once more. 😐

Poor Andrea is still recovering from pre Christmas Covid, but everyone else was free to ride today. Jeanette still not at all well with a lingering cough, but she came out to see how she got on, with Martin once more on standby. 

We had Storm Henke this week, with lots of rain and 50-80mph winds with trees down all over the place. Then a load more rain yesterday afternoon and evening, so the ground is saturated. Our kitchen roof was leaking water through a downlight last night, so had to switch them off.   And our front garden had a pond in it this morning. (Builder coming tomorrow to sort the leak). It was touch and go if  Louise would get out of her road this morning, since Blagrove was very badly flooded last night. She said the worst she has ever seen.

My suggestion was to head to Stubbings, but the first problem was that Gill could not get down Sandford Lane, nor through Dinton due to flooding. She has her son and girlfriend staying, and they needed to get to Winnersh Triangle station, but of course not an option to walk down Sandford Lane. So Gill peddled the long way round though Woodley to the Station, whilst her son drove there. Then Gill put her bike in her car, and drove to Cantley to meet up with the rest of us. (She was clearly determined to get our on her bike 😉)

Route (map at end. A couple of figure of 8's today)

Lynne led us to Emmbrook via Mill Lane, since Emmbrook School area flooded (school closed today). We wiggled through some alley ways and emerged on Matthewsgreen Road. 

It was only 4 degrees as we set out, and so our first plan was to climb over Carters Hill to warm up. That always works. Then to Shurlock Row, and right at the pond. A little further, and with me at the front, a huge flood across the road.  Oh no! I don't like being first through. Where's Gill!!!😂

But it was a long flood so needed a good run up to it, so I just went for it, expecting the rest to follow. But what followed me through was the dustbin truck. (would have been nice if they had just waited!) 

Beenham Heath flooding. 

Martina also being followed through by a car making waves. 

I was expecting a flood at The Beehive at White Waltham but it was fine, so Gill and I decided that Bottle Lane was hopefully ok too. Which it was. Then into the Knowl Hill circuit where I took this team selfie. 

Knowl Hill circuit with White Waltham in the distance. Nice day, if cold. 

Just after that, a cut through to Littlewick Green, which was pretty messy, and evidence of what looked like a river had run through the lane yesterday, with debris all over the shop. Across the A4 into Green Lane which was not too messy, emerging on Burchetts Green Lane, where Martina realised she had a puncture. 

Trying to get some air into her back tyre to at least limp to Stubbings. 
Jeanette across the road, phoning Martin, since she was pooped. 

It was looking hopeful with air staying in the tyre.

I suggested Martina and Gill at least hurry to Stubbings before the air runs out. 😆 Jeanette was struggling with her breathing, so we would follow at a slower pace. But we soon caught up again, once over the  A404 roundabout, and into Stubbings Road, and the sight of Martina with her pump out once more. 

We could have fixed the puncture, but it was cold, and I was keen not to hang about doing it, if we could avoid it. Jeanette was hopeful that Martina could collect the 2 of them and their bikes, so that was the plan.  (different in  summer time or at least warmer).

The cafe was busy, so we all sat in the outdoor tarpaulin bit of Stubbings which was rather cool today. Then the remaining 4 of us left Jeanette and Martina to be collected by Martin. 

Our return loop was all downhill to start, with crossing the A4 Bath Road into White Waltham, so since I was leading at this point, I opted rather than continue straight, to climb Church Hill. I've not done that was a while. Its 7% gradient and just what we needed to warm us up a bit again. 

Blue sky as we stopped at the top of the hill at Waltham Place on Church Lane. 

Then we turned right at the top, to rejoined the same road all the way to Waltham St Lawrence. It was pretty messy with large puddles. And the temporary lights which have been there for weeks, were still there. 

Ditches rather full at Waltham St Lawrence X Roads, where we turned 1st left to Shurlock Row. 

Passing the pond at Shurlock Row for the second time, we opted to ride on the Straight Mile, since the back lanes would be a right mess today.   Then on Broadcommon Lane to Hurst. The ditches here were running like a river, but not overflowing. 

As we rounded the bend from Broadcommon, to Pound Lane........ that noise when you instantly realise you  have puncture! Agggh. So close!  I told the other 3 to just carry on and I would fix it.  (John doing the drive to Wales). Then I thought, it's cold, so I might just walk.  Then the brilliant idea that if someone could look out for Gill's bike once they reached Cantley, she could nip back for me and my bike in her car and get me to Cantley at least. Sorted. 😇

I walked along the road a bit to this point, 
for Gill to be able to turn around easily.

 I spotted a couple of Red Kite overhead, so got my camera out to pass the time. 

Coming into to lane. A Red Kite.

I phoned John just to enquire as how his journey was going, knowing he would be on his way back by now. but not expecting him home for about another 45 mins. He was almost at Reading! He said he could be at Cantley in about 15 mins. 😍

So by the time Gill had collected me, then swapped to load her own bike in and left Cantley, I only had to wait about 5 mins for John. His first question was "Why didn't you just fix it".  I had only just warmed up, that's why.  I would have done, if Gill's car hadn't been at Cantley. 

After a QUIET lunch, I cleaned my filthy bike. Then fixed the puncture which was a piece of glass, which I actually missed even though I went round and round my tyre. (I got John to check, and he found it straight away. New top tip, if you don't find anything, turn the tyre the other way round. It was very obvious in the other direction.)

And relax. Out for dinner tonight at Bottle and Glass with friends. No grandkids! Wooppeeee.