WLCG Lock's Ride cafe via Nuptown -24 miles

6 of us were free today, with Andrea joining us too for the first time in a while. Nice to have you back.  

Since one lady (who shall remain nameless), had booked a hairdresser appointment for this afternoon (I know! Can you believe it?!), this route was planned to be not too far, not too long, and not too difficult. And with dry lanes, a few tracks thrown in too. Jeanette on her gravel bike today, so she was very happy. 

Route link screenshot at end.

A chilly start today, but a promise of 17 degrees, so layers would be off before long. Lynne had panniers on her bike today, since she was planning to peel off later to go shopping in Bracknell. We set off on the Binfield Road, to cut through Monks Alley.

Monks Alley, with only 3 paying attention 😂

Monks Alley looking the other way. 
Love all the lush greens this month. 

Soon the big drop down Tilehurst Lane, to swing left then right into Ryehurst Lane, then over the bridge to climb up Cabbage Hill Lane. This led us into the track called Hazelwood Lane. 

(John dropped down into Ryhurst Lane this morning just a little further along from Stubbs Hill, where a huge pile of "stuff" has just been dumped. He said he struggled to get passed it. 😡)

As we joined Hazelwood Lane, a large white horse had a tiny rider on it, with adults walking by her side. The little girl was dressed in a ballet tutu tutu.  The horse's main was died with colours of the rainbow!!! 😂

Hazelwood Lane. All nice and dry. But tricky to see 
sometimes in the cast shadows. 

We continued straight over Bottle Lane, still on the track, then soon across the A3095 to climb Bowyers  Lane. More often we veer off right here, but continued straight today along Weller's Lane.  My route then turned right for a short distance, downhill, on the Ascot Road, then off to the left into Nuptown Lane. 

Lynne was keen to ride a further section of track, so Martina joined her, and we met up again on Nuptown Lane a few minutes later.

Meeting up again at the junction of Nuptown Lane
and Hawthorne Lane. 
(I think Hawthorne Lane has been improved, since it used to be very bumpy)

A loop now of Maidens Green area, to swing back and head for Malt Hill, which was all downhill.  A layer removed here by Jeanette, who was last to thaw out.   A few sections of road now, with a bit of traffic, with the exception of Cricketers Lane.   This connected to Winkfield Row and to where the cafe is on Forest Road. 

(I came here a couple of months ago, on a ride with Rose which started in Ascot, so a very different route apart from about half a mile.)

As we approached, an A board on the Forest Road said " cafe Closed". Aggghh. But it was open, so I told the owner, Parm.  He had just had a delivery of ice creams before we arrived, and was prioritizing getting it in his freezers, so a short delay.  He is very friendly, and asked if we were a Breeze group?  (He had posted on his FB page last time I came with Rose & Karen). 

He also owns the "Cafe in the Park", Sandhurst.  The footfall here is much less, so he has decided not to offer cakes, but does have delicious shortbread and frozen chocolate brownies and a few other things.  My brownie defrosted in the sun very quickly, or he also offers to microwave it for a few seconds if preferred.

Taken by the owner, Parm.

A pleasant setting, and very quiet today.
I am sure weekends and summer holidays will be busy with noisy kids!

Lynne left us somewhere along the Forest Road to head for Westmoreland Park area, and the rest of us continued to the X roads at Newell Green to pick up Watersplash Lane, and back over Cabbage Hill on the cycle paths. 

We used the track alongside The Cut into Binfield, emerging just near the Stag and Hounds and finally back to Wokingham down Binfield Road again. 

We were back in record time, with no real pressure.  A bit different today and hope you all enjoyed our little excursion.