Just Gill, Lynne and myself free today. It was forecast for zero degrees at 9, but 4 degrees by 10, so a later start today. This meant that Louise had to miss out, with time constraints, whereas Martina's excuse was that she had not one, but two parties to attend. No commitment!
First outing of the year for my thermal vest, and although I was never cold, I was just about comfortable, certainly not too hot. I arranged to meet Lynne at Woodward Close by which time a Battery warning light for my e-gears came on. No problem since I carry a spare, but as I stopped to change over battery, who should appear but these two old men. 😂
Route link screenshot at end
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| Osmo action camera screen shot. John and Dave also heading to Sonning Common. |
Lynne and I followed John and Dave over the motorway bridge, but they turned off into Dinton, which I was a little surprised about. I saw John pull over, as Lynne and I continued to Sandford Lane to meet Gill at 10.10am. I told her to stay indoors until we arrived to stay warm, rather than linger in the cold.
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| Beggars Hill road, and still some colour in a few trees. |
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| Crossing Sonning Bridge. |
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| And the start of our climb to Dunsden. |
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| My shadow hot their heels. (Lynne just getting over a cold but did really we up here today) |
We continued straight on at Dunsden Green to take the next left into Gravel Lane (the one that doesn't have any gravel!) Stopped for nose blow, and a Red Kite was overhead, and a flock of pigeons which kept circling over head.
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| Red Kite over the tree |
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| This took a few attempts they seemed to sneak up and change direction in a flash! |
To Binfield Heath now, to drop downhill at the X roads into Sonning Common Road, and the temperature really dropped as went down, but we warmed up as we climbed out to Sonning Common.
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| Uphill again on Sonning Common Road |
Diagonally over the road at The Pet Barn onto Stroke Row Road, where Gill got a little ahead as we headed to turn left at The Unicorn Pub.
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| Heading up Sonning Common Road for a left turn into Wyfold Lane (Gill a dot ahead of us) |
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| First part of Wyfold Lane was lovely, nice and clean..... that didn't last. It was a right mess. |
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| Getting messy now from all the fallen leaves and tractors on Wyfold Lane. It got as lot worse. |
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| Big pile of poo in the field in Wyfold Lane near the Xroads. Guessing these tractor marks were the reason the lane was so messy. |
We were at the 15 mile mark, so half way and also at the highest point. All really easy now, as we turned left into Wyfold Road, towards Kidmore End direction. But rather than straight over as we usually do, a left turn for about half a mile and right into my recently discovered Hazelmoor Lane.
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| Pretty views from Hazelmoor Lane near Kidmore End. |
We had hoped Jeanette might be able to meet us for coffee at 12ish, She was on taxi duty today for Martin, and it didn't work out. It was a few minute before as we arrived, and spotted 2 bikes in the car park.
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| John and Dave had taken a table to 4/5 which was handy since no other tables available when we arrived! |
They had come more direct route to get here, and John explained why they had pulled off into Dinton. He had a puncture. The 4th in 2 weeks!
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| Edge of the rain cloud as we left the Herb Centre |
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| Leaving the Herb Centre, Gill's Orro brakes were playing a loud tune😂 As I pulled up next to her, mine joined in.😅 They are renowned for this when they get wet. |
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| Bird in Hand Lane, which was damp but no big puddles. |
But the road almost flooded as we peddled past Loddon Brewery. 7 degrees now as we whizzed back down the hill towards Sonning, and we returned via Charvill to Sandford Lane.
Turned out nice after a cool start, and we all enjoyed the ride. See some of you next Friday hopefully.
