I offered a ride today worded to encourage some new or newer ladies out with me, for an easy going 20 mile loop to Waltham Place cafe, which closes for the season next week. (until next May). It took a few days to fill up, but it did fill up, and then 2 cancellations at the last minute. So we had a lovely group of 4 including me. That's fine with me! I had met them all before but only once for Rachael and Karen, who joined me recently on a ride to Yateley.
With heavy rain overnight, we knew to expect a few puddles, and with rain forecast again at 1pm, we were hoping to stay dry.
Route link screen shot at end of blog.
Setting off from Cantley we used the cyclepaths all the way to Binfield, using the traffic lights to cross under the A329, and a bit more uphill. A lovely downhill then on Murrel Hill Lane. For a change (for me), we rode into the village centre on Terrace Road, continuing over to Terrace Road North, then our next enjoyable downhill on Tilehurst Lane.
Normally I go left here when heading to Ryehurst Lane, but again for a change (for me), we continued beyond the Stag and Hounds pub, and once through the traffic lights, took the left into Hazelwood Lane. This soon joins Ryehurst Lane. I was half expecting a flood here, but the river was literally lapping over the bridge, so no problem getting through.
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| Sally, Karen and Rachael at Ryehurst Lane nr Binfield |
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| The water level, literally lapping over the top of the bridge |
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| Two tone Himalayan Balm. |
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| We turned left into Bottle Lane, where the blue sky was very welcome. |
A short section next on Howe Lane, and our next downhill on Twyford Road, heading to Shurlock Row, with just one short rise to get over the motorway.
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| Views from the M4 bridge as we head for Shurlock Row |
We passed the Shurlock Row pond, and took the next right into Beenham Heath, passing these stables. That wall is definitely leaning towards the grass!
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| Beenham Heath |
From Smewins Road, we joined the B3024 with a little elevation before a left into Church Lane to arrive at Waltham Place.
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| Sorry terrible photo.It was quite dark inside. We sat indoors today as they have removed their outdoor seating now, and the seats would have been wet anyway. |
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| We all enjoyed a slice of Lemon and Coconut cake. No other customers, but a few came to the farm shop. |
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| As we were leaving, chef was chopping and cooking pumpkins, grown on the farm, for Pizza topping for Friday's lunches. |
Everyone enjoyed the cafe stop, and as often is the case with newer cyclists, had never heard of it before. Our return route was downhill on Church Lane, then a left on the B3024 all the way to Waltham St Lawrence. Never a busy road and good visibility for cars to overtake.
We turned left into Sill Bridge Road, continued passing WSL School, into Brook Lane (which CAN be like a river, but was fine today), and to the Straight Mile to head back along Hurst Lanes to Cantley. Well done to the ladies on the climb back over the 2 motorways. The fun part is that we arrive back on a big downhill.
We got back at 12.30, and at 1.03pm it chucked it down! Phew.
Thanks for joining me today, and hope to see you again soon for another ride.
