I came back last night from a week cycling coast to coast in sunny Mallorca, so it was nice to continue riding in sunshine today. 😎 My Gravel bike very weird to start with, after my upright hire bike from last week! But soon got used to it. And I was glad to have my mirror back. Really missed it last week.
Sue was also starting her ride from Cantley this morning, and we all spent a few minutes chatting before getting underway. We were both heading up Carters Hill, so rode close to start with, and a chance for a few action shots of Sue's group too, for a film I'm working on. Thank you ladies for your cooperation.
My group headed to Ryehurst and Bottle Lane next, via the track called Hill Farm Lane.
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| Riding alongside Barbara on Bottle Lane. |
Then to Westley Mill Road where we had a slight distraction heading straight for us!
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| Westley Mill Road. |
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| I had a smudge on my lens, which is probably suncream. How annoying. |
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| We stopped to chat a few minutes. The owner just loves then, so seems to collect them! They were heading for the ford for a splash. (Daphne would have been super excited to meet this lot!) |
Two groups along Howe Lane to Paley Street, then through Holyport using the pretty Langworth Lane. At the roundabout on A308 Windsor Road, we nipped onto the cycle path for the short distance to the Thames Valley Hospice, where rider Rose had told me about a nice cafe on the lakeside. Thanks Rose, it was a hit. Especially on a sunny day. (Rose not with us today, but enjoying an overseas bike adventure instead.)
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| We sat at a round table in the garden just next to this sculpture. (Lake behind us) Me, Sandra, Cathy (sitting), Louise, Barbara, Jo and Gill |
Our return route used the cyclepath again to the junction where we turned into Bray Village, and out again using the path called The Causeway, to Braywick. Using the pedestrian bridge over the A404, off Kimber Lane, we joined the quiet lanes passing Ockwells Park. (I used this this route 2 weeks ago, but in the opposite direction).
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| Gill and Jo. Heywood Farm Barn Lane, White Waltham where the crops looking great in the breeze.(Gill was on fire today! Fresh back from an exciting overseas cycle trip doing BIG miles every day. Had to slow her down. 😇) |
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| Heywood Farm Barn Lane. A great smooth surface, after the bumpy Snowball Hill potholes! |
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| Sandra trying to keep her bike clean, on Nut Lane. 😢 |
I abandoned the idea of using Mire Lane, (for good reason after Nut Lane) and instead headed to the WSL 5 way junction (Jo told me it was called "Paradise Junction" for some reason.)
Our last few miles were through West End to Hurst, and where Barbara FINALLY got a chance to try the power button on her ebike which is on trial, as we climbed to the Castle Inn. She was smiling at the top. 😉 (Need to get a hilly ride for you next time Barbara!).
Gill left us in Hurst, as did Jo who headed home a more direct route. The rest of us, via Hurst Lanes to Dinton.
Thanks everyone for your company today and to catch up on news, some of which is very exciting for one lady in particular. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly.