All 5 of the Monday club riding today for the first time in weeks. We met Linda and Daphne at Silchester church and did almost a repeat of a route we have done before, but with a surprise twist. But would they recognise it?😂
A very mild, calm day as we set off. I had my OSMO action camera on my bike today so lots of bottom shots but also the chance to photograph a few scenes I wouldn't normally stop for, since all takes too long in a group.
Route link screenshot at end.
We left Silchester heading through Aldermaston Soke and used Raghill Lane (off of Red Lane) to connect to Aldermaston. I am always drawn to this Cedar tree, whatever the season.
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| Cedar Tree on Raghill Lane. |
Dave and took the back riding into Aldermaston, and I took a few shots on the go and we approached, and also rode through the village. It's a pretty village, but also a busy road which we join for a matter of a few yards, before we join the quiet Wasing Lane.
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| Approaching Aldermaston |
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Aldermaston. I don't know how I managed to get a photo with no traffic!
seconds later two enormous lorries turned up. |
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At the end of Wasing Road, a right turn over the bridge
then a right turn here towards Woolhampton. |
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"oh, I know where I am now", said Daphne
(never happened before😂) |
The K&A Canal just beyond the pub, and also the railway crossing, which had the barrier down, so I stopped at the Canal for a photo.
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House next to the canal which had a Clematis of some
variety in full flower along the bottom of the house. |
Left on the A4 now to take the second right turn into New Road Hill , as we did last time. (first right is the road past Douai Abbey and is a bit steeper).
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Daphne ahead on New Road Hill,
as we climb away from Woolhampton. |
It climbs quite a long way, so we stopped to wait for the others to catch up, at a point where the road flattened out This is NOT the top.
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This wasn't forecast!
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| Trying to find some shelter. We were absolutely soaked |
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| But nice muted colors and reflections on the very wet road. |
It thankfully didn't last too long, and we set off again with only about 3 miles to go to coffee at The Blackbird in Chapel Row.
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| photo by John inside the busy cafe. |
A whizz downhill to Buckleberry next, where we crossed the ford.
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| On the way downhill into Buckleberry |
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| Always love this view as it opens out. |
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| Buckleberry |
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| Buckleberry. I stopped for this one. |
A few at the ford.....
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| Great sky behind us as we arrived at the ford. |
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| Double trouble! |
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| photo by John. |
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Linda waiting to go. She was cold after the big downhill
I assure you that will soon change!!😉 |
We continued to Stanford Dingley direction, where on previous rides we had climbed up though the village. Today John had a different plan. We would ignore Standford Dingley and continue on Back Lane towards Bradfield, but not all the way. I knew what was coming.... but the others didn't.
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| Dave taking the left turn into Back Lane. |
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| Lots of Snow Berries along Back Lane. |
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| Typical. Empty Lane, then horse and car come at the same time. |
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| a lot of water around now. |
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Daphne admired this perfectly formed tree.
Isn't nature amazing. |
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Our right turn towards Tutts Clump, which
starts flat, but we take a right turn into Rotten Row Hill. |
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The Well named Rotten Row Hill
Just as we start the steeper section, a car looks as if its coming down.
Aggghh, how annoying. |
We 3 girls at the front, lost our momentum and the car never did come down. Linda and Daphne already decided to walk it, so I joined them. I've only done this on my ebike before, and even that was tough.
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Well done to John who shot passed us, on the
18% gradient. Dave in the distance now also walking. |
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| John ahead, still peddling. It was tough even walking! |
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photo by John
I think Linda is warmer now!😅 |
John is training to climb Mt Ventoux, so Daphne suggested he should go down and climb up again. which he did , as far as Dave had reached. 😇
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| John on his way back down to turn around & come up again. |
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Well done old man.
I don't know how gets back on with that steep gradient. |
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Passing KIMBER HOUSE
at the top of Tutt's Clump. |
Back for a short section of the Chapel Row to Bradfield Southend Road, before the down and up to reach Beenham. Also called Back Lane.
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| Arriving uphill into Beenham |
A coupe of flat miles along Webbs Lane, before a steep down to cross the A4, heading to Ufton Green.
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| Wheee! |
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| the final bend at the bottom, before we reach the A4. |
We doglegged over the A4 and seconds later a call from behind to stop. John's 5th puncture in 2 weeks. 😖😖😖
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A tiny bit of flint was the culprit.
Different tyres on order. These tyres are also quite new... but hopeless. |
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| Off again, to climb over the railway. A climb ahead of us. |
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| here we go again. |
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| A project. It's for sale. |
The pretty section of countryside over, we now ride through the edge of Burghfield, and drop down to cross the Lockram Brook, with the short steep climb to take us into Nightingale Lane.
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Linda on the final climb on Nightingale Lane.
She started to peddle backwards! I thought she was off!! |
Into Mortimer, over the railway and into Mortimer Lane. We saw 3 deer ahead but missed a photo. As we dropped down on Park Lane with just 5 mins to get back to the start, the rain came on heavy again. We didn't bother to put jackets on this time. So close!
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Raindrops on the camera lens, just minutes before
our final climb up to Silchester. |
Well done team, and hope you enjoyed those downhills today? Don't blame me! John planned it today.
