My last chance to get out before my cataract surgery tomorrow, then I'll be off the bike for at least a couple of weeks, and repeating after second surgery. So I was definitely going out today regardless of the forecast! I was fairly convinced that a few riders would cancel.... but no one did! 😂
Both Sue and Rose wanted to come today, and since that meant no alternative Wednesday ride, we took 9 riders, so a big group of 12. Lovely to have Sarah from Cookham join us too. Not seen her for ages. Louise W and Susan (Sue) had not been out with me on a longish ride before, but lovely to have them along too. I had billed this as a STEADY route, since the hills were not steep, compared to some other routes I do. So I was keen to entice them to come.
We delayed an hour to start 10.30. Jeanette and I peddled down to FBC together (40 miles total), and others either drove of cycled there if more local. Wendy who lives in Arborfield was to meet us in Greensward Lane, just off of Observer Way.
Route link screen shot at end.
 |
| Wendy blending in with the group on Greensward Lane, Arborfield. Beautiful day now. |
 |
| Kim, as we cut through Hall Farm |
I was taking screen shots on the go today with such a big group. But rather than all "bottom" shots, I asked for a 30 second start as we went over the Loddon at Hall Farm. I had hoped that they would all soon come over the bridge together, but they seemed to be a long time, then came in bits and pieces. It turns out quite a few had taken jackets off since it was about 15 degrees now and sunny. 😎
 |
| Louise W on her ebike, and jacket still on. |
 |
| Rose, wearing her new overshoes today, and she kept her shower cap on just incase.😉😍 |
 |
| Sandra down to Teeshirt now. |
 |
| Sue also in just teeshirt. |
 |
| Wendy, less one layer. |
 |
| Sarah, with jacket removed, and Jeanette behind. |
I also was now down to teeshirt. How ridiculous for November.
 |
| The best road surface in Berkshire atm had to be this route linking Arborfield to Shinfield. (Rose had now acquired a backpack from someone) |
So far we had cycled on cyclepaths or quiet lanes, and all stuck together. Time to split in to 2 groups now to head down to Three Mile Cross. Sue took the first group and I said we would meet again a few miles later, at Wokefield Park.
 |
| Lovely sky at the end of Kybes Lane, Grazely. Louise W, Jeanette, Rose, Sandra and Sarah. |
 |
| Fullers Lane, Grazeley Green. trying to not catch the first group. |
 |
| Fullers Lane, Grazeley Green. |
All very flat so far, and as we crossed over from Riders Lane, (passing the AWE site), a gentle climb now on Goodboys Lane, to our turn into Wokefield Park.
 |
| Jeanette and I chasing down Sarah and Sandra on Goodboys Lane. (we shot passed them 😂 I was surprised to see the other group had stopped on the left, just short of our turn into Wokefield Park. It turned out that Louise had a flat tyre.😕 I suggested we get into Wokefield and find a quieter spot off the road, to take a look. |
 |
| Turning off Goodboys Lane, into Wokefield Park, where we pulled over for Louise to put some air in her tyre.  |
Photo by Rose. Louise smiling.... atm!
 |
| Kim on a mission on Turks Lane, Mortimer, as we head to climb up to Silchester. Up to Silchester to then enjoy a mile of downhill on Church Lane. At this point my phone rang. It was Sue, so called her back. The news was that the Cafe was CLOSED! WOT!!!! I had checked this yesterday! That AI for you. (I checked again when I got home and it looks like the cafe is only open on Fridays atm.) There was no plan B, so it was a relief that Sue said the pub was open. Sorted then.  |
 |
| Amanda, Jeanette, Kim, Sue G, Rose, Louise W, Sarah, Sandra, Wendy, Sue and Anne |
 |
| The Pavillion on the green where we were supposed to have our stop! |
 |
| And we're off again, fed and watered. All in about 45 mins. |
To be fair, the Calleva Arma, which opens from 12, took all the orders at the till, including payment, and were very efficient. As well as a coffee/tea a few had soup or a toasty or something. Just enough to keep us going.
As we left, Sarah was topping up her tyre with air... oh dear.
We cycled around Wall Lane, dropped back down from Silchester to then climb again on Park Lane.
 |
| Rose ahead on Park Lane, Nr West End. ( note the blue jacket........) |
 |
| .... blue jacket coming off again at the top end of Park Lane. My garmin read 17degrees! |
Al flat to Beech Hill, with just the horrible climb over the A33. We joined a short section of main road to Swallowfield, and Wendy left us to go home via Swallowfield Road. Our route was over Farley Hill.
 |
| Sue ahead of the ebikes over Farley Hill. Well done Sue. Sarah put a bit more gas into her tyres at the top . EEk. Not far now! |
 |
| And down the other side on Bunces Shaw. Amanda and Sandra. |
 |
| Sue G was feeling knackerd by now, but kept going as we cut through to Hogwood Lane. (she thought possibly Challenging, rather than steady, but she did it!). |
 |
| Louise W had limped along Nine Mile Ride and as we turned into California Park she announced that she had a flat tyre AND her ebike battery was flat. Another phone call for a lift home. |
 |
| Finally, some lovely afternoon light as we cut through California Park back to FBC. |
Thanks all for your company and assistance from the leaders. And well done to those ladies who pushed a bit beyond their comfort zone today. The more hills you climb, the easier it gets! I hope everyone enjoyed the route today.
The bigger the group the more chance of potential technical issues. It's not often I go out with quite so many, but it was fun and good to make the most of a beautiful day.
