WLCG First outing of 2026. Riseley via Beech Hill - 30 miles

 4 of us free today for our first outing of 2026. With rides cancelled due to weather this past couple of weeks, we set out on a glorious sunny morning. But we have had a LOT of rain recently, so I wanted to avoid Nashgrove Lane as we headed south today. 

Poor Jeanette is not up to riding atm, thanks to a horrible ear infection, and she also didn't feel like driving to meet us. We all hope you can join us again soon. 😘

Route link screen shot at end. 

Lynne, Martina and I met Louise on Blagrove Lane, then we used Edneys Hill to join the Barkham Road.  It's not a lane we use often, but it's still reasonably unspoiled by development. A cheeky little rise up to the Bearwood Road mini roundabout, and then to traffic free School Lane, Arborfield. 

A glorious morning, this on School Road Arborfield.

We went around the roundabout at Arborfield, for a short distance to turn left into Church Lane off Sindlesham Road. 

Sindlesham Road, looking to the Coombes. I hope this never gets permission
to have houses built. 

I stopped for this photo for Jeanette to paint maybe?
It's The Memorial Hall, built 1881.

And this version with the lane running off to the side. 

I caught up with the others further along Church Lane, which is great for cycling on now, since the road has bollards now, so no through traffic.  We then doglegged into Greensward Lane, to head to the Swallowfield Road, to climb Castle Hill to Farley Hill.

As we arrived at the top, the Breeze ride was passing (they had come up from the other side). We just waved hello, and gave them a good distance, before we set off along the road into Swallowfield.  Lots of flooding in the fields here today! The roads were covered in water in the usual suspect places, but thankfully no flooding.

Some temporary lights at the village centre as we took second left into  The Street. (That was a good choice as it turned out, since we later heard that the Breeze group had turned back on Part Lane, which was flooded).

To  Beech Hill Road next, via Barge Lane, where the light at the junction was beautiful.

Corner of Beech Hill Road

Once over the A33 and downhill, we had to stop to give way to a car coming the other way, since our side of the road was completely under water.  As we indicated to turn right into Cross Lane, a car pulled out at speed, and left behind a large part of his car on the main road!  I stopped to pick it up, otherwise it could have been nasty for the next car approaching.  

Martina mentioned that Riseley seemed to be getting further away!  I now told them that I had mentioned that if Jeanette had felt ok, she could have gone straight to coffee at 10 miles, while we did an extra 7 miles to get there.  "You didn't tell us that", Martina said. 😂

A wiggle around the quiet back lane, re emerging at Beech Hill Church.  Then, the second left into Park Lane, passing the huge field of dying sun flowers. 

This amazing cloud as we turned into Park Lane, Beech Hill.
Louise insisted it was worth stopping for a photo. 😊

We finally arrived at Riseley, having climbed up Welsh Lane, and under the A33 tunnel on Bull Lane. What a mess ! Debris everywhere.   And then to the teashop...... which was shut! nooooo!

A bit of discussion, and since our route was going to pass through Eversley to Finchampstead, we could decide later where we would go for a cuppa.  Our  route now to Ford Lane to reach Bramshill Road. 

Oops. Ford Lane.    And the ford is quite far around that corner!

We all agreed, we were NOT riding into the unknown depth of water ahead. just as a Tesco delivery van turned up behind us... followed by 2 horses. Chaos.  The  horses were getting spooked by the van trying to reverse, and we also felt we might spook the horses. We directed the driver to STOP until the horses passed us all. 

Not that deep, but it would be around the corner. The 
riders told us they were used to it and it does get quite deep. 

I knew that the Breeze ride were planning to come this way, after their stop at Welly Farm shop,  so I called Jill to warn her, but no reception.  This was whist I was using my phone to take photos of the horses, and suddenly I heard a voice. lol. She could hear me. She also told me that Part Lane was badly flooded and we should use Trowes Lane. 

"Reflecting" on our next move. 

Another smaller van than appeared, and it looked like he was going to go through. Louise and I shot off, and then waited for the others to catch up  since they seemed to be nowhere in site. 

Loved this cloud as we waited for the others on School Road 

Here they come. After attempted to offer directions to the 
van driver who was going to go through the flood.

Our plan now, is back over Farley Hill. 
to head for Stables, Arborfield, since Martina had never been. 

Passing Swallowfield Park for the second time.
since Plan A fell apart today. 

After 22 miles, Martina gets her coffee.

Another cafe ticked off Martina's list.

Back via the Greenway to FBC, then to avoid Nashgrove Lane again, we came down Finch Road and cut through the footpath, just opposite the Family golf place. And up Blagrove Lane.

Lovely weather to be out. My eye surgery tomorrow, so no WLCG for me, for 2 weeks.  Where will they go next week? I heard Louise is leading. 😎