WLCG Pangbourne via Bugs Bottom - 39 miles

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It's been ages since we rode the 40ish mile "Round Reading" loop via Whitchurch, which Lynne introduced us to using Nunhide Lane to Sulham. So I suggested that today, with a slight variation.

 Lynne and Louise on holiday, and Andrea with an ankle injury, so didn't fancy such a long ride. Martina was excited by the idea of a long ride, since this will be her last for a few weeks with school holiday plans. Would she be so excited after 30 miles? 😉😂 

Route link screen shot at end. 

We picked up Gill at Sandford Lane, and through Sonning, where I continued straight on to Dunsden Hill, before Garmin wasn't happy, and announced off course.  Oops, force of habit. 😅  We could have continued, but I wanted to go via Bugs Bottom, rather than Kidmore End. Back to the roundabout, and we headed to the traffic lights, to turn right to climb the cyclepath to Emmergreen, including the cheeky climb. 12% I think.  So everything else now should be not quite so steep. 

Dropping down steeply on Gravel Hill, to climb out of Bugs Bottom.

Views from Tokers Green Road

A few undulations, before our left turn into Mill Lane whose surface never improves! We met a car on our way down and got a bit separated, with Gill and Martina reaching the top first to the junction of the busy A4074.  My plan was to WALK on the grass verge here, since its a dangerous junction, and they but already gone out into the road.  Jeanette and I gestured to the oncoming traffic to slow down, as the other two were just ahead waiting to turn right.  A horrible junction. Next time, we all walk. 😌

Lovely quiet lanes now, as we made our way to Goring Heath to drop down and UP then down again on Old Cottage East Road, dropping steeply into Whitchurch. 

Old Cottage East Road, before we drop fast downhill. 

Jeanette in 3rd place. 

I stopped part way downhill at this gate, 
with the cows ahead. 
Calves amongst the herd too

At the bottom at the farm where there are often veg for sale, I noticed a cyclist had gone through a gate, and walkers too. I hadnt realised that this was where Gill had led the ladies one time when I was on holiday, taking a bridal path to Mapledurham. (It's called Hardwick Road to start with). We turned the opposite way on Hardwick Road all the way to Whitchurch. 

I have been here a few times now and never seen a queue of cars at the Toll Bridge, infact I thought there was no longer a toll. But it's 60p per vehicle.

A little history, which is quite amusing regarding the fees.....

A bridge has stood here since 1792 when it replaced a ferry.[6] The structure was renewed in 1852–3, 1902 and most recently in 2014. The original charges ranged from a halfpenny (1⁄480 of a pound) per pedestrian, sheep, lamb, boar, sow or pig to twopence for each wheel of a vehicle and twopence for the drawing animal (though one and a half if an ass), so a 1⁄24 of a pound for a horse-drawn four-wheeled vehicle (equivalent to £6 in 2023).[6][7] Horses and persons using the lock for barge hauling were exempt.[7]

A comfort stop at the public loos opposite the Lamborghini garage. 

Through Pangbourne and into the quiet Sulham Lane, to turn into the gravel track of
Nunhide Lane, at this pretty thatch (which I always photograph😉) 

View along Nunhide Lan.

Wilder Folly, viewed from Nunhide Lane.

Waiting for the photogapher 

At Ikea, we rode over the pedestrian bridge across the M4, and into Theale High Street, where our coffee stop was at Bradleys Barista Cafe. My third visit, but the first time for the others. Plenty of seats inside, but we opted for outside, since it was 28 degrees. 😎  I traded a mouthful of my Tunisian Orange cake for a taste of Jeanette's sausage roll. Both delicious. 


A good natter over a leisurely stop, subjects covered included some which we hoped the men on the table behind us didn't hear. 😂 (medical stuff).

Martina thought all the climbing was already done.  Hmmm. Not quite.  We crossed the Kennet and Avon Canal and then climbed up Jacques Lane. It's not insignificant. 

Regrouping at the end of Jacques Lane. 

Martina's legs  were tiring. She doesn't do nearly so much
cycling as the rest of us, so she does really well. But age is on here side. 

Through Burghfield next, and the long gradual downhill of James Lane. We joined about a mile stretch of the busier Goring Road (I always forget this bit), and then into the deserted Kybes Lane. It has had a new surface of this horrible cheap tarmac that is being spread around the whole District! Grrr. But at least the potholes are gone.... for now. 

As we emerged from Kybes Lane, this field of Opium Poppies.

We managed to get through the new housing area of Shinfield without getting lost for once!!!

Emerging at Shinfield Church, with the bells ringing for a wedding.
The chauffeur admitted this car is only 20 years old.

Our last few miles were on Cutbush Lane, Lower Earley and Gill left us after Mill Lane.  

I suggested the rest of us ride back on Mill Lane to Sindlesham, "but what about the big hill" said Martina. 😅😅😅

So, instead we came back on the cycle paths alongside the new road to Winnersh..... which is up hill.  Oh how we laughed. 😍

A lovely summer day for our leisurely ride, with a few cheeky hills, but enough downhills too of course. 

Gill is also busy for a few weeks now. Have a great summer ladies, and hope that some of the other WLCG are free over the next few weeks. (I am free, as is Jeanette)