4 of us set off today, and headed down Blagrove Lane to meet Louise. We were surprised to see her waiting..... but no BIKE. She was waiting for her friendly mechanic to put the air back in tyres which she had just let out.😂💨.
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I took the chance to photograph the lovely property on Blagrove Lane, and soon we were off. It's a long time since we've passed Ludrove School since access to cross the railway has been off and on as the new road system is being built.
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| Ludrove Lane. 😞 |
Cutting through Clay Lane to William Heelas Way, we crossed the A329 at the traffic lights at the top, and I noticed my front tyre was completely flat.😖😖😖. I had changed a tube at home just last week, but had ridden 60 miles on the bike this week, so just bad luck. The tyre came off easily, but several attempts by various volunteers to blow up the new inner tube failed. It's a new pump, but didn't easily connect to the valve. Fortunately Jeanette's worked and getting the tyre back on was easy, so eventually we set off. (I have now tried my new pump at home and it has to be screwed on the
whole way the top of the value.... as did Jeanette's which was leaking air to start with.)
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How many cyclists does it take to get some air
into a tube? |
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| Meanwhile I concentrated on getting the tyre off. |
A near disaster at the A329 roundabout as Gill spotted the "green man" light up for the cycles to cross, except that it was facing the wrong way, so wasn't actually for us! Dangerous, since the traffic also got the green light at the same time. It was the same situation at the second crossing, so guess we should report this to the council. (Anyone know how to do that?)
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| After our climb up to Amen Corner, a lovely run downhill on Jocks Lane |
A quick pit stop for some at the Jocks Lane Rec Ground and then a climb over Cabbage Hill to continue our normal route via Watersplash Lane (where a rat dashed in front of us!), then to pass Warfield Church. Some calves in the field on Church Lane, but no white calves this year. They were up to their ankles in mud, poor things.
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These two arrived just ahead of us at the Tally Ho Honesty Cafe. 😊
They had cycled a different route. John later arrived home at the same
time as me.
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Great to have Jeanette back out with us today. But she's still
not well, so had arranged for "Darling Martin" to collect her from here. |
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| What a star. |
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| Tally Ho |
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There are just as many trees on the other side of the road
but also loads of cars parked. |
The first half of this ride was lots of cyclepaths and lanes, a big contrast to the second half which was initially main roads and we split into 2x2 for the next few miles, all downhill on Drift Road into Fifield, then through Paley Street. We were also now heading into the SW wind so it was hard work all the way home! The M4 was at a standstill as we joined Howe Lane, but gradually moving again as we cross the Motorway bridge into Beenhams Heath.
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Approaching Money Row Green on B3024
It's bit brighter now then earlier when we had drizzle. |
Finally back through Shurlock Row and over Cantley Bridges. I really struggled over here today, and guessed it was because my front tyre was not fully inflated. I checked when I got home and the PSI was only 35. No wonder I was knackered! Time for an e-pump?😏
A few of us missing next Friday for a variety of reasons, but hope that Martina and Lynne can link up. See you in a couple of weeks.
