It's impossible to get to Cookham from Cantley in less than 30 miles, and that's only if the route is a long skinny one, with a few figure of 8's. 4 riders had driven to Cantley this morning, and I just had a few more miles to peddle there are back from home, and similar for Amy too. (so 40 miles for me)
It was a grey day mostly, with only the occasional glimmer of sun stubbornly hidden behind clouds, but not cold. We set off in 8 degrees and the temperature reached about 10 degrees.
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| We left via Hurst Lanes, and then right into Hungerford Lane |
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Hungerford Lane, approaching Shurlock Row
Rose, Linda, Amy, Amanda T, Jessica |
We passed the end of Darvills Lane on our right, (which is a lane we very often use on our way to Shurlock Row), and noticed a
substantial flood going around the bend, so was glad I hadn't opted for using it today!
Straight over at Shurlock Row Pond, and then left into Smewins Road, passing the Corgi weather vane house. As we dropped downhill, a shout from behind. OH No! Not a puncture, please! But it was just a water bottle that had dropped. Phew.
We joined the B3024, then left into Bottle Lane, at the White Waltham Cricket ground. As we approached the back entrance to Shottesbrook House a road block!
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Shottesbrook Sheep on the move,
and the young farmer explained what was going on.
(photo by Amanda) |
We chatted to the young farmer, who told us that a dog had got into a field, with one flock of sheep, frightening them so much that they lept the gate and ended up in the wrong field .....with a second flock of sheep. The answer was to herd them all down Bottle Lane, and into Shottesbrook Park. From there, they would separate out the two flocks! Nightmare. 😂
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| Rent a crowd. There were 100s of them! |
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And now the fun of separating them out into two flocks.
They all look exactly the same to me! |
Crossing the Knowl Hill circuit and eventually into Breadcroft Lane, we turned left into Canon Lane to make our way to cross the A4. But in my mirror I noticed that our group had split, so pulled over. Amanda came dashing up to us with the news that someone had a puncture. 😔 We turned around, to find Amy already with her bike upside down on the roadside ready to start. I suggested we get off the busy main road, and into Breadcroft Lane, just a few yards further back. (much more peaceful!)
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| We walked back into Breadcroft Lane to fix Amy's puncture. |
I have been taught to deal with a puncture with my bike upside down, especially if the back wheel, but Jessica had a different approach, so was happy for her to take the lead. We think we
may have found the cause of the problem, but were never convinced. Jessica and I both checked the tyre thoroughly, and soon we got going again. Amy's tyre a little soft of course with the hand pump, but since we were on our way to a cycling cafe..... we could get it fully inflated in a few more miles.
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By the time we arrived at Flat Harry's most ladies decided it was lunch time
and opted for savoury dishes. They were all delicious. |
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Sorry, terrible out of focus shot. (My camera not good indoors)
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A kind man at the bike shop, put more air into Amy's tyre.
(it read only 20psi) |
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Then someone suggest dessert?
Oh go on then. 😋 |
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| Wall art at the cafe. Fortunatley nothing like this happened on our ride today. |
After lunch, a decision to be made. I had in mind a
sneaky little extension, but only if they all felt up to it after coffee.😉 We could now make our way back, OR we could climb out above Cookham Dean, before heading home, adding an extra 5 miles. Jessica suggested a blind vote with each rider closing their eyes, and raising their hand, so as not to feel pressurized to vote along with the others. As they raised their hand to vote YES to add a few more miles, I misunderstood the cunning plan.... and also closed my eyes, so we had no idea how the vote went.😂😂😂
A 2nd vote, and everyone voted to go for the extra miles. Well done team! The forecast was now 50/50 rain in the next hour, but as Amanda said that meant 50% chance that it wouldn't rain... and it didn't.
We passed through the edges of Cookham near the station, then into Terry's Lane to climb to the high point of Winter Hill.
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| Terry's Lane, as we reach the top of the first stage of Winter Hill. |
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| At the top |
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| Tete a tete daffodils |
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View from the top of Winter Hill, looking down to Marlow
where the Thames is flooded. |
From the top, it should be all downhill. Almost. Back down Winterhill Road, and right turn into Golden Pot Lane, to soon join Lee Lane, where there is often a flood. There was, but nothing too deep. Ideally from here, I would drop down to Hurley, and back via Crazies Hill. But its so flooded atm, that it's not an option, so our route back was past Pinkney's Green Common, past Stubbings, and through Burchetts Green to Littlewick Green.
As we passed the Shottesbrook entrance for the second time today, the young farmer had a wagon load of sheep (the final ones), and gave us a wave as we passed. So it must have taken him about 3 hours to sort out the problem.
Continuing to Waltham St Lawrence X roads, we returned left via Shurlock Row, and over the motorways back to Cantley.
Fair to say we were all a bit pooped at the end, and ready to get out of the saddle. I missed cycling last week with family staying, so particularly enjoyed being out again and in the good company of the lovely Breeze ladies. Thanks all for joining me today.
