Gill's daughter Emma arrived last night to go with the family skiing from Sunday, but had taken this morning off work to come cycling with us... as long as she was back by 2pm. So, the best plan was to head north, so we could pick them up on the way up Sandford Lane, and drop them off on the route back.
Gill, Lynne and Jeanette were free to ride today.
Route link screen shot at end.
Our usual route to Sonning, with a brief photo stop at the river, which is still very high.
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| The French Horn. A beautiful sunny day.😎 |
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| Just 1 step showing at the hotel. (4 if the river is normal level) |
At the Playhatch roundabout, we turned left to soon start our climb on the footpath to Emmer Green, which includes the cheeky 11% climb. We were up here several weeks ago, and one of the tunnels under the road was closed..... it's STILL closed!
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| Completely blocked ahead. So we need to detour. |
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| Looking back as we started our detour and load of mistletoe in the trees. |
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| We wiggled through the car park, and soon joined Lowfield Road to Emmer Green, passing the old listening station. |
A down and up next, passing the old golf course, to Chalkhouse Green
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| Reflections. This next section of road was pretty messy after lots of overnight rain. But at least not flooded as it has sometimes been. |
We passed Kidmore End Church, which was looking beautiful today, and continued to the junction where we often cross straight over to Wyfold, but today, turned left. Soon a right turn into the quiet Park Lane.
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| Park Lane, nr Hook End. Who's who? |
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| We continued straight to climb up Deer Lane into Checkendon. |
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| Well done Emma, who was next up. |
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| Lynne and Gill |
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| Jeanette hot on their hills. |
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| I often photograph this tree part way up Deer Lane. |
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| Regrouping as Deer Lane flattens out, just short of Checkendon. |
Having finished our climb, rather then continue straight and turn right downhill into Stoke Row, I planned the route to drop downhill on Emmens Lane (the bluebell woods), which Gill reckoned she had only climbed up before. It's a nice one to go down. 😉😊.
Except that, at the bottom, I usually continue towards the home direction, by turning right onto Wyfold, but today, a left turn to climb up to Stoke Row, to pass the "Grand Designs" house just on the edge of the woods, passing the pigs. They loved me for that!😂
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| Autumn passed and winter trees now as we climbed into Checkendon. But beautiful light today with the low sun. |
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| Crooked Billlet, Stoke Row. I've only ever driven here, in the dark. |
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| And now, the very narrow lane starts uphill ,and where met the dustbin truck! Thankfully it screeched to a halt on the first bend. Phew. |
Pretty much at our highest point now, as we dropped down through Kingwood, on Stoke Row Road all the way to Sonning Common. I was enjoying being in front, since unlike if I'm leading a Breeze Ride, I usually sit at the back incase anyone has a problem. Every man for himself today. 😂
We now had the choice of going to The Herb Centre, in Sonning Common or The Barn, at Binfield Heath. We voted for The Barn, which meant one more long downhill, before the little kick up to the crossroads in Binfield Heath. A "ROAD CLOSED" sign, which we ignored, and a couple of us stopped at the road closed point for a chat with the 3 workmen who were hammering flint stones to rebuild this old wall. It's a big job. They are pulling out tonight for a break, but didn't say when they would continue. They are reusing the old flint stones, so it's a slow job to clean them up to reuse. Must be costing a fortune.
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| I asked their permission to photograph them. They were happy to do so. " Are you heading to the pub?", they asked. YES! Almost there. |
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| Decisions, decisions. It was just after noon, so a few of us had a savory option. Whilst someone else had TWO mince pies!!! 😮😮😮 |
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| Very cosy with a real fire going, and smokey smell. Lynne, Gill, Emma, Me and Jeanette. |
We had spotted what looked like a BEAR at table behind us, and once I put my glasses on, realised it was a dog. I went over to asked if it might pose for me at the Christmas Tree, and the owners said no problem, and proceeded set up this threesome. 😊
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| A Newfoundlander, with this friends. They had been for a walk, but looked so clean. |
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| This cute puppy is too young to do as it's told, so it had to miss out on the Christmas tree shot. So sweet. Same breed as the other labs, but they are not the parents. |
An easy ride back, whizzing down through Dunsden and back to Sonning. We continued to Charvil and to Sandford Lane, where we left Gill and Emma.
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| Forgot to get a group shot with me wearing my new jacket which arrived last night. Similar to Gill's and very comfortable and warm today. Castelli Alpha Ros 2 Jacket. (So nice that I just ordered another one, different colour , with 66% off. 😊) |
Thanks all for your company and hope you enjoyed today's variation on a theme route. Nice to see Emma too.
Next Friday is the Breeze Christmas Ride, so if any of you who have not booked a place want to join us, just let me know, since the rides are now full. We start from Cantley at 9.30.
