A depleted Monday group today, with just John and myself, with others missing for a variety of reasons. We are just back from a week cycling in North Holland, riding our last day in 38 degrees. So, with 32 or so forecast today, we were keen to do a short ride, with plenty of shade. (North Holland had NO shade!)
I am leading a Breeze ride on Wednesday with an even hotter forecast, so today did a recce of the route (nothing new), just to check the amount of shade. I would say easily 80% shade, so it turned out very pleasant.
Route link screenshot at end.
Over Cantley bridges to Pound Lane, where we continued to Hurst pond.
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| The cottage nicely lit this morning at around 9.30 |
Next to Hogmore Lane, making our way to Hungerford Lane, and West End Lane, where we turned into Mire Lane. All nice and dry of course, and not too bumpy. It had also recenlty been strimmed along its edges, which was something I was a little concerned about, incase covered in nettles! A dogleg into Nut Lane next leading to WSLawrence.
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| Nut Lane. Can't get much more shade than that.😊 |
Around the back of WSL and into the track leading over the railbridge. I don't use this one very often since it goes on a bit too long, but it worked well today with plenty of shade. A short bit where I went wrong (again), but doubled back to take the first RIGHT turn, which is a much better track than the left hand option.
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| Emerging into the light for a moment once we had crossed the railbridge. Looking to Warren Row. |
A little climb now on Warren Row Road, stopping first for a couple of photos on the woodland alongside. It usually has something of interest year round.
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| Loved the grasses today catching the sun light. |
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| And spotted this white Bind Weed also lighting up. |
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| Today's Monday team. 😎 |
To Sip and Spoke, who have added more outdoor seating since I was last there.
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| No cake!!! disaster. (But it was all in the fridge) We shared.😇 |
Retracing out route back downhill for half mile or so, a left turn into Pudding Hill, for an uphill now into the woods. All fine, until this tree was completely blocking the path.
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| Little Stubbings House always has this wonderful display or orange Day Lilies at this time each year. |
I normally turn into the track called Green Lane to cross the A4 into Little Wick Green, but just for a change continued all the way downhill (no peddling!) on Burchettes Green Lane, to cross the A4 , and over the roundabout into Westacott Way.
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| The Rape crops all looking sad but a few wild flowers looking nice on the Knowl Hill circuit. |
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| I was surprised that this had some in focus, since it was blowing around. |
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| Entering Shottesbrook next. This gatehouse looking lovely in this morning's light. |
Plenty of sheep trying to keep cool under the base of the tree lined avenue in Shottesbrook.
To Beenham's Heath now and passed Shurlock Row Pond to The Straight Mile. Just for a change, I decided to return over the motorway passing Billingbear Golf course all the way along the "other " Straight Mile. I wish I hadnt since it seemed like harder work, than just our usual route over to Cantley. A section on Forest Road to drop back into Wokingham to Cantley and Emmbrook.
We finished at 12.30, feeling fine.
Route looks like some kind of animal on it's back legs. 😂
