With a RED Alert for heat today and tomorrow, breaking past records, I had changed my original planned ride for today (to Chalgrove) and offered this local route instead, with the assurance of at least 80% shade. I had done a recce on Monday and it was all fine. Loads of shade, and when riding creating a breeze it is cooler than sitting at home sweltering. 😉 That said, I had fully expected at least a couple of riders to cancel..... but no one did.
With Rose assisting, and newly qualified leader Gill also with me today, we shared the lead a few times today. (I also presented Gill with a little gift from British Cycling which Rachel had left with me a few weeks ago. Welcome to the Breeze leaders team Gill. )
It was very nice to have Geraldine join us today, her first time out on a Wednesday, so she had lots of new names to remember... We all just had one.
Route link screenshot at end
We headed first to Pound Lane, and once we had turned the bend, full shade along the tree lined lane all the way to Hurst Pond.
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| Typical of much of today's route, in plenty of shade as we approach Hurst Pond. (Kim not quite visible since Rose was squirting her with water.😄)  |
To Hogwood Lane and Poplar Lane next, heading to West End and into Mire Lane, passing the little ponies. More deep shade as we crossed to Nut Lane and then to join the long track at the back of The Old Bell WS Lawrence. ( part of Knowl Hill Circuit. ) I dont usually like this track, since its a bit long, but brilliant for shade today.
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| A "Wild Rose" x 2 😂 |
Across the A4 and a gentle climb to Warren Row with shade the whole way. We decided it was cooler outside than inside at Sip & Spoke and manage to rearrange 8 seats into shade.
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| Most of their cakes were in the fridge (as they had been on Monday), but dont think anyone had a cake today!!! |
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| We all opted for COLD today. |
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| Red Smoothies for a few with red fruits. |
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| Ice cream for me. |
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| Iced coffee for Louise. |
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| Hair looking good!😅 And Amanda in shock😂😂 Gill, Amanda T, Rose, Kim, Louise, Diane, Geraldine. |
There were tubes of suncream, to help yourself as well as water on tap.... AND these ICE COLD TOWELS.
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| ICE COLD towels were very welcome on our heads, just before we left. (They had been offered earlier, but were all stuck together in one ice block.) |
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| photo form Monday of blocked path, now cleared. |
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| Another water stop, before a nice downhill all the way to Burchett's Green. |
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| Passing Little Stubbings with it's display of Orange Day Lillies. |
We continued all the way downhill on Burchett's Green Lane to the A4. Nice! Loads of shade and no peddling. 😎
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| This was the hottest section today, but didn't last long before we joined shady Bottle Lane and into Shottesbrook Estate. |
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| The Wheat and Rape crops all looking past their best now but a few dashes of purple along the Knowl Hill pathway. |
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| Shottesbrook gate house |
Our last few miles through Beenham's Heath, Shurlock Row and to Boadcommon Lane, Hurst.
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| Home made Peach Iced Tea. |
After maybe an hour, Rose got collected by Mike who had dropped her off earlier, and the rest of us peddled back down Sandford Lane to return either to Cantley, or through Woosehill Woods.
My first "Biathlon" Didn't quite manage the run for a full triathlon.
Thanks all for joining me today, and I assume a relaxing afternoon at home in the shade. I was planning to drive to Chalgrove this evening to continue my filming project in the garden, but have decided to cancel. Just too hot even at 7pm this evening. Hate this weather, so look forward to it cooling off over the weekend.
