Towards the end of last Wednesday's ride, Rose asked if "WE" were riding next Wednesday. I thought probably not, since it's Christmas Eve, and who would want to come out? "ME" said Rose. Ok then, let's ride! (I thought best check first with Chef John if I could get a pass out.😉).
I asked the other Breeze leaders if any of them were interested, and Hazel immediately said yes. Sue wasn't free, but changed her plans to come out today. Unfortunately Jill wasn't free. Leader Julie, from Maidenhead, also asked to join us, but would meet us at Shurlock Row pond, part way round our route.
The ride places had to be extended since it filled up straight away, with 4 leaders and 8 riders😂. Are we super organised for tomorrow, or just don't fuss so much anymore?
It was a bitterly cold morning, with a biting wind, and temperatures forecast of 5 degrees, but a "feels like" of just 1 degrees for the whole day. As I set off from the house, my electronic gearing didn't work, since the battery had got too cold in the garage overnight. Thankfully, I had put a spare battery in my bumbag in the house last night, so once I switch them over the problem was sorted.
Starting from Cantley, we peddled out at 9.28am passed a group of 30 or so Wokingham Cycling club members, due to set off at 9.30 also. We headed to climb over Carters Hill, a deliberate plan to warm us up... and it did. It was a beautiful day, with plenty of blue sky and sunshine, but the wind chill was bitter. Nice to see Denise today, who of course had peddled down from Binfield to the start and back again at the end.
From Carter Hills, we cycled passed Binfield Church and headed to Bottle Lane, via Ryehurst Lane. As we split up for the next section along Howe Lane to Shurlock Row, 3 groups of Wokingham Cycling club were heading into Bottle Lane. (They had come via Binfield).
We arrived at Shurlock Row Pond, waited a few minutes, but no sign of Julie. She did say not to wait if she wasn't there, so we carried on since it was too cold to hang about. (NOTE.... no photos either so far!. Too cold to take my gloves off and expect others to stop.)
We did a loop around the back of Shottesbrook to WSLawrence, ( this makes a nice EAR on the route today, which looks like Tin Tins dog Snowy! 😂 There were some beautiful life size golden reindeer in at least 2 front gardens here. It was very tempting to stop to admire them, but whoever was leading at this point kept going.
A brief stop at WSL Church, and we mixed up the groups for a chance to mingle, as we headed down Hungerford Lane into Hurst. We finally stopped for a team photo at the little bridge on Poplar Lane.
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| Parking up the Castle Inn, where Julie had already had one coffee. |
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And since Julie had some time to kill before we arrived, a couple of photos she took earlier. I think we arrived around 11.15.
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| It does look very pretty, wrapped up with a bow. |
The drinks took a while to come, a few at time, since only one member of staff does this shift, but it gave us time to chat so not a problem. Louise W made an announcement thanking all the Breeze leaders for our efforts over the year and how much we are appreciated. (Jill also included). Thanks Louise. It would be no fun for us without all of you riders.
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| photo by Julie. Hazel, me, Louise W and Sue at one table. Louise, Denise, Clare at the window table (with Julie) Amy, Rose, Janet and Annie on a third table. |
We left around 12.15, with Julie setting off back home, so we never did get to ride with her today. The rest of us cycled the last few miles back through Hurst Lanes and split again with some heading to Woosehilll, and others back to Cantley.
Lovely to see everyone, and hope that this afternoon you are now prepared for whatever plans you have over the next 24 hours, whether lunch for 17 family, or a simple lunch with family or a friend. Best wishes and see you on the other side. Anne