Our first WLCG ride 2025, and just 4 of us available today. After a slightly warmer 8 degrees yesterday, it was a disappointing 5 degrees today, and noticeably colder. Jeanette who has had a terrible cough for almost 4 weeks, was determined to get back on her bike, and Andrea was also keen to join after several weeks of avoiding the wintry road conditions, as well as getting over her own cough. They joined Lynne and myself.
We were heading for Cranbourne, using a southern route initially across Ludgrove area. But by the time we had reached Blagrove Lane, poor Jeanette was already struggling with her breathing. What a shame. She called into her sisters house, and I see from her Garmin that she did ride back home after a rest. (Martin on standby just incase). So, our group of 4, now reduced to 3.
The Ludgove cows were in evidence today as we peddled through. I had chosen to ride this way today, since it had been announced that the "southern bypass road" is ready to enter it's next phase. 😔. This means that the country feel to Ludgrove will soon be no longer.
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| Easthampstead Road will be closed in a few days time, for work to be done in connection with the new Southern Distribution Road. |
We made our way to Binfield, and dropped down Murrel Hill Road, then soon further downhill on Tilehurst Lane, to connect to Ryehurst Lane. Both Lynne and Andrea were not quite sure of this connection but it was just a triangle in preference to the Forrest Road, with pleasant quiet lanes. Then of course, we crossed directly over Forrest Road, and after a short distance on Binfield Road, we used the cyclepaths to climb over Cabbage Hill. A 9% gradient, but doesn't last long.
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| The grasses looking nice on the Cabbage Hill development. (sunshine would have been better!) Need to photograph something for the blog... so far only have a road closed sign.😅 |
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| That cake was delicious! |
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| We had the place to ourselves, once the group of adults with carers had left. |
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| Gloomy day. |
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| Hay or straw? Take your pick! (At the tack shop) Hay for eating, straw for bedding. GILL WOULD KNOW THIS OF COURSE 😂🏇🏇🏇 |
We backtracked initially, and then used Hawthorne Lane to Nuptown (the tarmac section), and after a short distance on Ascot Road, with it's slight incline, turned left into Weller Lane. It's ages since I came this way.
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| The view from Hawthorne Lane, Nuptown. |
From Moss End, we joined Bottle Lane, and into the opposite end of Ryehurst Lane this time, to eventually climb up past what was The Jack o' Newbury pub.
There has been renovation work going on for a while, but now there is also a brand new building in front of it, on what was a large carpark, which is a house/houses. Looks the pub has also been converted to housing.
Back to Wokingham down Binfield Road.
I tried to make the route 25 miles, which is was really .....apart from the extra 2 making it 27. 😅 Well, the last 2 were all downhill, so they don't count.
Hope to see a few more of you next week, and that Jeanette will feel up to a short ride, or even half a ride.
(I've ridden 5 days out of the last 6, and clocked up 149.8 miles this week. I'm knackered, but so nice to be out again. Need to try to keep fit for cycling holidays booked!!)
