Breeze Cantley to Loddon Brewery via Sonning Common - 26 miles

With slightly less rainfall over the past week, a chance at last to plan today's ride to cross the river at Sonning, without the worry of the road being closed. 

Sandford Lane, however, was a different matter. I follow the FB page for the lane, which due to flooding has been open and closed almost daily for weeks now! It was closed 48 hours ago, but with Gill heading down the lane to meet us at Cantley, we were safe in the knowledge that it was safe to ride through this morning, even though Road Closed signs still in place. Thanks Gill! (Otherwise plan B to detour via Woodley). The lane was clear but a lot of evidence of branches and debris in the roadside ditches.

Breeze champ Jill had asked to join us today, so we took a slightly bigger group than normal. Infact we had 2 cancellations yesterday, which was no bad thing. Sad of course that Amy and Sue C were unable to join us. Amy with the "P" problem, but poor Sue has a broken nose, and advised not to do anything strenuous for a few days. Ouch. If you are reading this Sue, sending Best Wishes. 

Route link (screen shot at end)

I did mention in my advertising of this route, that it could be referred to as the CAMEL ride. See screen shot at end. 

It was foggy as we set off from Cantley, heading to Sandford Lane via Winnersh, which meant it was also quite cool, but by the time we climbed to the top, we were all fine. Cutting through Beggarshill Road, a flood to get through, and thankfully the only one today. 

Just past the flood on Beggarshill Road, Woodley
Jill, Rose, Daphne, Linda, Kim, Gill, Jeanette and me. 

We stayed together in one group until just before we crossed the A4 in Woodley to drop into Sonning, then we split into 2 groups of 4. Jills group ahead, and we all caught up once across the bridge in Sonning, next to the Mill. The river is still very high.  

Jill's group set off, and my group waited before following, but then we stopped briefly on the next bridge at The French Horn, for a couple of photos. 

Looking toward Reading at Sonning. 

The steps down to the river from the lawn at The French Horn are well underwater.
Nice to see the Willow trees breaking bud adding a bit of colour on a grey day. 

Gill, Kim and Rose waiting for the photographer. 

We climbed Dunsden Hill, with Rose passing the rest of us.... on a mission. Kim followed, whilst "Team Orro"  sat behind, taking it easy. Then just for fun, I decided to try to catch Rose. I did! 😉

Liasing with the first group at Dunsden Green.
That big white bit in the sky is the SUN! Woopee!

We weren't actually going this way today, although tempting, since the Brewery is just around the corner! After a brief stop, we went back to the junction, to continue our gradual climb to Binfield Heath, now all staying in one group.

At Binfield Heath, a long drop downhill on Sonning Common Road, passing lots of horses on both sides in the fields.  A left turn into Wood Lane, (just passed new houses going up!)  and we dropped down steeply passing the pond.  I got ahead and stopped, and managed to wave them all safely across the main road (Peppard Road), since once across it's an uphill to the village centre. Some of them recognised that this is close to where we often park when heading off into the Chilterns. 

We are at the high point now, so easy going all downhill on Kennylands Road before a careful dash across at the Bird in Hand pub into the quiet lanes to Emmer Green and soon we are at the brewery. 

Test shot with two ladies who are not at all attention seekers. 😂

Its nice to sit out in warm weather, but today we headed to the indoor area. 

nice and cosy inside. 

We mostly shared some pastries, but were a bit disappointed 
that their amazing beer fruit cake was not on offer today. 😔

Daphne and her large baps.

Rose fancied savoury and went out to a small van in the courtyard to order some sausages.

When the chef arrived with Rose's snack, she said " Here comes my sausage" to which he replied "No one has called me that for a long time" 😅. I chipped in "At least she didn't call you her little sausage". He laughed, admitting that he has had reference made to that too. 😂😂😂

Nice to chat to everyone over drinks. The sun had unfortunately disappeared again, and we rode back mostly in misty condition.  We rode again in 2 groups for the next few miles, as we dropped back down Dunsden Hill, through Sonning, straight on to Charvil and across the A4 continuing all the way to Twyford X Roads. Here we turned right to climb over the railway, and at the roundabout at Stanlake, a right into Broad Hinton. We joined up again here for the rest of ride home, on quieter lanes. 

It was a chilly 6 degrees for much of the return ride, so it was soooooo annoying that as we peddled through the Hurst Lanes, almost back,  it definitely warmed up infact it reached 10 degrees. Gill left us at Lines Road, as we all looked forward to our climb over the motorways back to Cantley. (Gill had done this at the start). 

Well done ladies. A good speed of over 11mph today, to keep us warm. Hope you all enjoyed the ride, and for some their first visit to the Loddon Brewery. 

Camel. OK.... a lot of artistic licence.