I noticed on the Breeze FB page that Sue said she was doing a Recce ride today, so asked if she had company? If not would she like a buddy? She said yes, but she wasn't setting out from Cantley until 1pm. Not a problem, infact it was wet earlier in the day, so it worked out well.
John had set out to do the reverse of our route this morning, and I asked it he could let me know of any flooded areas that might impact our route. Also Sandford Lane is closed due to flooding, so going that way out or back was not an option today. John phoned late into his ride to say that everything was fine, lots of puddles, but no floods to worry about.
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| Blue skies as we leave Cantley at 1pm |
Sue had planned the route, but was happy for any tweaks to impove the route, since I am more familiar with the area further out. Nothing major, just a slight adjustment to avoid joining the A4 for a short stretch at Hare Hatch, by going via Castle End End into Tag Lane. The main change was not to climb out of Harpsden Valley on Chalk Hill. It's a nightmare. (and we missed not going up Broad Hinton, and ended up climbing up passed the vineyard, which is fine for 2, but not ideal for a larger group.)
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| Views along Crazies Hill Road. |
I mentioned that John had reported that there were no floods to worry about, so I was a bit horrified when a car over took us just before the climb to Crazies Hill, and went through a DEEP flood! There was no where to walk around it. We stopped initially, then Sue went for it, lifting both feet off the peddles. That didn't work.... too deep, infact I thought she was going to fall off she slowed so much.😂
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| Shadows and snowdrops on Aston Lane |
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| Looking across to Hambledon Lock. Lots of flooding but my friend was able to cross it today, and get up to Aston on the path. (it's often impassible) |
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| Beautiful Hawthorne blossom on Remenham Lane Sue ahead. |
Remenham Lane with lots of puddles, but no flooding, and soon we reached Henley. The river is really high, and the footpath along the riverside, still underwater. Our average speed at this point was 13.5mph. (that's a bit fast for me, and Sue said she didn't want to hold me up.😅)
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| Flooding right next to the Rowing museum car park. |
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| Bike parking. The carpark was underwater a couple of weeks ago, and Velolife Cafe had to close. |
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| We shared the Cinnamon cake. It was 11 degrees, and sunny at the point, so we sat outdoors on the deck. |
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| At the top, the road to Binfield Heath had some serious puddles as it often does. Nice cloud reflections though. |
Down to Sonning now, where there were no steps visible on the lawn terrace of the hotel on the riverside. There are 4 steps when no flooding.
Since we cant go back via Sandford Lane, Woodley we continued all the way to Twyford X roads and returned dropping down Broad Hinton, then Hurst Lanes back to Cantley. It was 4.30 when I got home, slightly gloomy, but still good light. Spring is on its way!
Thanks for having me along Sue. Good to have a chance to chat for a change, with no more riders in tow!