4 of us free today, but we had to wait for the rain to pass to start a bit later. These late starts are becoming more common! Sandford Lane had been flooded again yesterday, but Gill did get down it this morning, even though the road closed signs still in place.
We met at 10.15, with Martina off like a rocket this morning. 💨💨💨. She now agrees it's worth pumping up your tyres regularly. 😄
With drizzle from the word go (very annoying as it had stopped), a wiggle to the Straight Mile heading for Shurlock Row to start us aiming in the right direction to cross the A4 somewhere.
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| Miserable morning. |
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| The Straight Mile. |
Unusually, we continued the whole length of the road into Shurlock Row, and facing us was what looked like a church bell tower, which we had never noticed before. So we crossed over into a private drive to take a look.
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| An old church conversion, Shurlock Row. |
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| The house next to the church conversion had washing out! It was pouring. |
With the choice of White Waltham and Knowl Hill, or straight on to Waltham St Lawrence, we took option 2, and had a bit of shelter in the Lychgate at WSL.
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| Brightening up a gloomy day. |
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| The amazing old Ewe tree at the church. The church was locked. |
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| Martina and Lynne keeping dry. |
With the rain now forecast to end any minute, we set off with the plan to ride as far as Wargrave, and if it was still wet, just go to h'Artisan.... or if it had stopped, continue with our plan to Crazies Hill.
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| Now leaving Criazies Hill. It's dry and a tiny bit of blue sky in the top left corner.😎 |
A huge flood at the usual place near the end of Culham Lane, as a lorry approached causing a big splash. I was very brave and went through first. (Not like me!).
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| Heading down Aston Lane. Definitely brightening up. |
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| Views as we join Remenham Lane. |
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| People walking up from Hambleden Lock, or have they turned back due to flooding? |
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| Riverside views. |
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| A walker took this for us. A colourful group. She and partner had to leave the Thames Path at Remenham church due to flooding. |
Lots of messy puddles as we continued towards Henley along Remenham Lane as expected, but no flooding.
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| Red traffic lights as we crossed the bridge, so a chance for a quick photo. (note to Jeanette... it's all about the light!😂). |
We went to the River and Rowing Museum cafe. Velolife have now vacated the cafe, since the arrangement was apparently that they would only run it for a year, then pass it to the Museum to run.
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| The brightness in the sky gone as we came out of the cafe infact it was drizzling again. |
Back via Harpsden Valley, and Perseverance Hill got the vote as the least worst option to climb up.
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| A new thatch underway at the top of Perseverance Hill. |
The next mile or so to pass the Bottle and Glass was a right mess. Floods everywhere, but thankfully not too deep. Gill went first this time.
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| A bit far away, but they stopped in this group looking at us for about a minute, before dashing off again. |
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| They're off. |
The other ladies had just set off as I put my camera away, and it crossed my mind, I wonder where the deer will go beyond this field? Then they crossed the road right infront of us, and disappeared at 100mph in to the opposite field. Always a joy to see them.
Back via Sonning, where the river was running really high and fast. No steps visible at the hotel, infact the whole lawn was underwater too. Finally to Woodley, where we all used Sandford Lane, ignoring the Road Closed signs, since we knew from Gill it was fine this morning. And it was.
A longer ride than last week, well done ladies. Jeanette set off to a painting weekend with her online tutor. Have a great time, and of course a shorter ride next week if you are able to ride with us.
