Breeze with Sue to Holyport.

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I don't see the "Thursday ladies" very often, so joined Sue today, since there was a space free, and a chance to catch up with Sally H, Wendy, Joy,& Nicki W.   I also did some filming on my action camera to add to my "spring" footage. 

I have done 3 rides already since Sunday, covering several 1000's of feet of elevation, so started out with tired legs today, hoping I could keep up.😂  It was several degrees cooler than yesterday, but still warm enough for just a tee-shirt for me, but others had 2,  or even 3 layers on! 

garmin route screenshot at end

Starting from Cantley we headed to Binfield, through Monks Alley, and dropped down passing Binfield Church to Ryehurst Lane. (We would later return to the church, and pass it going up to Carters Hill).

Ryehurst Lane. 

Even the nettles are looking lovely!


Bottle Lane next,  then around the back of Moss End to pass Warfield Church, to join Malt Hill. 

Sue wearing her jacket, but that soon came off
as well as other ladies extra layers. 

We split into two groups to ride to Fifield down Drift Road, and met again as we joined Coningsby Lane, where we stopped for a photo at the beautiful cottage.

Saddlecam selfie on Coningsby Lane, Fifield.

Gays Lane now in to Holyport.

We sat in the covered outside space at "The Cuppa" in Holyport, discussing very serious matters including Duvet Tog ratings.😂 This made more sense now why some riders start out with just one layer, whilst others have 3.



Around the back lanes to arrive at the pond, where some Canadian Geese were in the middle, visible through the bullrushes. 


Another pair of Geese were quite verbal as I approached,
and Mr and Mrs Duck to their right in the grass.
(chicks soon, maybe?)


Me, Joy, Sally H, Nicki, Wendy and Sue
at Holyport Pond.

We joined Long Lane to connect to Paley Street, since it's been very dry recently. BUT... oh dear, it was very bumpy with hard baked horses hooves marks.  Wendy, ahead on her mountain bike with lots of suspension was fine, but I was feeling every bump on my gravel bike with no suspension.  But, apart from one wet section, it was doable, if not very comfortable. 

From Paley Street, to Howe Lane, and Westley Mill lanes, back to Bottle Lane, and in the opposite direction from earlier,  along Ryehurst Lane.   A climb soon as as passed Binfield Church, to join Carters Hill.  These ladies seem to think they can't do hills.... they absolutely CAN. I was struggling to keep up!! 😎 Don't underestimate your fitness and worry about more challenging rides. 

Catching our breath up Carters Hill.
(photo by Sue)

Thanks Sue for leading, and nice to see your Thursday ladies.