I teamed up with Sue today, for a loop to Henley, starting at Cantley. This can be done in just under 30 miles, but I wanted the ride to include Woodlands Avenue, Harpsden, so that made my planned loop 32 miles. But well worth it to enjoy the Beech woods today, before the leaves are all down.
With Sue joining me, and with 2 riders on our waiting list, we decided to add a couple more spaces a few days ago, since this might be the last chance to enjoy the autumn colours. Unfortunately, as it turned out, 2 ladies had to pull out at the last minute. Rose led a separate ride from Ascot, and also took 5 ladies. Wednesday is a popular day.
Route link (screen shot at end)
With the promise of sunshine all the way, but a chilly start, 7 of us set off to meet Gill at Sandford Lane. I had shared the route as usual, and Amanda O took the lead first, to lead us over the motorways and left into Lines Road. Except that she didn't actually have the route! lol. This was to prove interesting a couple of times today, as she likes to ride up front. 😂😎
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Regrouping in Lines Road, Hurst. I've watched this old barn gradually
falling down over a few years. |
Because I quite regularly ride through Woodley enroute to Sonning, I planned a different route today, through some residential roads, taking us over the railway on Warren Road. Kim took the lead through Woodley. It all worked well, until we had to cross the very busy A4. (no roundabout on this route, unlike via Charvil, or Pound Lane.) But we managed eventually to get across half way, then in 2 groups, enjoyed our downhill run in to Sonning, passing Blue Coat School.
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Warren Road, crosses high over the railway in Woodley.
The trees on the banking looking lovely. |
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In Sonning, we then turned left into the one way High Street.
No traffic at the top, so all easy going to cross the lights at the bridge.
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Beautiful light on the Mill House gatehouse today,
as we waiting for the traffic lights to hold back the traffic. |
We all climbed Dunsden Hill at our own pace, and today carried on straight all the way up to Binfield Heath shop. Now it's all downhill for a while through Shiplake. Amanda, off first again, whizzed downhill with the warning to NOT miss the left turn in to Memorial Avenue ... which she almost did until I called out. "Oh that left turn", she said. 😂
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| Memorial Avenue, Shiplake . |
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| Views to the left of Memorial Avenue, Shiplake. |
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We doglegged over the A4155, and into Mill Lane, Lower Shiplake
with this tree tunnel ahead. |
Sue and Amanda set off first down Mill Lane, and I told them to take the first left.... which they missed.😏. This shared leading is going well today. 😅 The rest of us got it right, so they doubled back to join us.
A loop through Lower Shiplake, and a climb now to cross back over the A4155. Some ladies had never been here before. Doglegging back over, we now climbed gradually on Woodlands Avenue which was looking amazing today.
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| Woodlands Avenue. |
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Woodlands Avenue.
Sue, Amanda O, Daphne, Amy, Kim, Louise, Gill. |
I had asked it I could get a group shot with everyone in , if they could please stop further along the road. With Gill now leading, they went a little
too far before stopping, and had just about started down the hill.... oh no! But they had stopped, and I asked if we could please backtrack just a few yards. Then we had some fun. 😉😊
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Mill Lane Cafe, at the football ground.
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A nice spot to sit outdoors in summer, but
a bit cool in the shade today, so we sat indoors.
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| Amanda O, Sue, Gill, Kim, Louise, Amy, Me, Daphne. |
As we left, the owner Sally's daughter, asked if she could take some photos for their social media advertising. She used my mobile phone for these shots, as well as on her own phone. I hope her phone camera is better than mine. Difficult sunlight behind the cafe.
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| Sally, the owner at the cafe window. |
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| Nice tables and chairs for a warmer day. |
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Along the Thames heading into Henley
(photo by Amy, thank you) These trees are always gorgeous. |
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Stopping briefly in Rememham Lane to regroup.
Don't often see this view since we normally ride passed without stopping.
(closer look below) |
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| Some lovely chimneys on the old buildings. |
Our inevitable climb away from the river level, up Aston Lane to Crazies Hill, to Hare Hatch and down Castle End road to Ruscombe. Since we always turn right here, I had chosen to go left today, following Waltham Road, as far as a right turn into Mire Lane. I called out "next right" to those ahead and even though they held out their arms to indicate a right turn, they went passed, thinking it was not a road. 😂
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Entrance to Mire Lane, which soon turned to a thick
carpet of leaves. A couple of muddy sections, but on the whole very dry. |
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| Mire Lane ponies. |
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| Close enough! |
Now, in West End, we return via Hurst Lanes and said goodbye to Gill at the Lines Lane X Roads, as we climbed over the motorways to Cantley.
Well done ladies. I did 36 miles, so I know those south Wokingham will have done 40+ today. But what a great day to be out. Thanks for your good company as always, and for your willingness to share the leading. Happy and safe travels to those lucky ladies who are off soon on a big adventure together.
