With 35+ degrees forecast today, our ride started at 08.30. Sue did the same, so a group of 16 of us turned up at Cantley, before going our separate ways.
Caroline had qualified as a Breeze Leader a couple of weeks ago, along with Janet, and I took the opportunity to pass on a couple of British Cycling gifts, which our Country organiser Rachel had given me on a leader's ride recently.
The first gift was a snood, which wrapped up looked a bit like a baton for a relay race.😄
 |
| Passing the " Baton" to Caroline |
 |
| And a BC bottle too. Leaders Karen ( from Windsor), Rose, Sue, Caroline, and Anne. |
Whilst Sue and Caroline left heading to Hurley shop for coffee, Rose and I were heading to Henley, and set off initially to Sandford Lane, through Sonning, and the climb up to Dunsden. We managed to get from Sonning Bridge to Playhatch roundabout without any cars behind us. (School holidays!)
 |
| A drink stop in shade after we reached the top of Dunsden Hill. ( a first for Karen) |
We passed the Binfield Heath general Store, which now has a few tables and chairs for a cafe stop. (Maybe a shorter ride in cooler weather).
 |
| New builds in Harpsden to replace the old barn |
 |
| photo by Karen |
 |
| I mentioned the path was empty... apart from this ONE cyclist heading towards us as I took this group photo. ( he was miserable!) |
 |
| Gorgeous day for our ride, and a gentle breeze a we rode alongside the river. |
After the riverside, we turned to join the one way system through Henley, but it was choka block, so we double back and rode as far as we could, before walking a short section on the path near what was the Chocolate Cafe. (one way) A beautiful display of hanging baskets as we passed.
 |
| Taken by Rose |
Along Remenham Lane as far as the church (with a shout of LEFT) as our leader almost missed the turn to join the riverside path. 😉
 |
| heading past Temple Island |
 |
 |
| Himalayan Balm along the banks |
 |
| Photo by Karen of Sandra |
 |
| Lockdown Lodge. Only has a licence to open for 3 weeks. |
The only 2 tables together which offered shade were under the canopy, but a group of young children were having "storytime" on a large mat on the grass, right next to the tables. And one was having a strop hiding under the table we planned to use. We managed to get rid of her..... but when the group started singing "Heads, shoulders, knees and toes..... we decided to move😂
Not much on offer in the cake dept, apart from Chocolate Brownies, so a few were consumed, to give us energy to get up the next hill.
 |
| Kim, Louise and Rose waiting in shade for everyone to be ready to leave. |
 |
| Louise, Rose, Amanda O, Karen, Me, Jeanette, Kim and Sandra as we leave the cafe to climb Aston Lane.  |
A first again for Karen to climb Aston Lane. Plenty of shade here, so not too bad.
After Crazies Hill, we cut through on Highfield Road, then Dark Lane to cross the A4 at Hare Hatch. No traffic! Amazing!!
 |
| The downhill on Highfield Road. |
 |
| Louise, Kim and Karen Highfield Road approaching Wargrave |
Finally a wiggle to Hurst and were stopped in our tracks to ask "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
 |
| photo by Rose, on Nelson's Lane, Hurst. |
We got back to Cantley around 1ish, and it was over 30degrees by now. But whilst cycling, it's fine, just rather warm when you stop!
Well done everyone for coming out and getting to Cantley an hour earlier than normal. I'm on Nannie duties next week, but see you soon.
I've been to see Ferdi this afternoon since my chain is making a clunking noise. Bad news is I need a few new parts. This cycling malarkey is never ending expense when you ride as much a I do. But well worth it.
