Yesterday was the HOTTEST DAY ON RECORD in the South of England, peaking at 38.1degrees. But on our driveway it was 42. Today a little cooler at only 32 degrees. Gill kindly offered a short ride then a swim in her pool, so Jeanette and I joined her driving first to park at her house, so that we didn't need to cycle home later. Andrea was free to join us for the swim, but others were on holiday.
I was checking my records of WLCG rides and it was on 24th April, than 6 of us made it out together. Since then, with lots of us doing holidays, the groups have been 2 or 3 at times. Now its school hols, Lynne and Martina are away, so goodness knows when we will get back to a decent size group ride! But good to know the group is still going after several years, started in 2018.
Gill led the route today, from her head, since its all very familiar going to Wargrave. BUT there was one little link that Jeanette had never done, and one long downhill in Wargrave that I had never done.
We crossed Hurst Lanes, then wiggled across the bridal tracks to Waltham St Lawrence, first on Mire Lane, past the Little Ponies school, where a massive house is now finished. It cant be one property!
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| The fishing lake on Mires Lane wa actually visible today. They must have cleared loads of foliage. They were airiating the water with a couple of spriklers. |
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| Though Mires Lane, then a dog leg to join Nut Lane which Jeanette hadn't ridden before. |
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| Soon across the railway bridge at Milley Lane, everything bleached to a crisp. |
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| The road ahead to Hare Hatch to cross the A4 into Tag Lane, with more white fields |
We normally take a right turn when we reach Wargrave into Blakes Road, if making our way to the town centre or heading to Crazies Hill. But today, no coffee stop, so Gill suggested just stay on Victoria Road, which joins School Hill. It seemed like a really long downhill. I have done bits of either end of Victoria Road before, but not all in one go. It was great with a bit of breeze blowing.
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| At the second bridge over the Loddon. Water running fast. |
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| We can never remember where this is in the distance! lol Jeanette checked her map and confirmed its Shiplake Church |
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| Shiplake Church amongst the trees. |
Back through Beggars Hill Road, and Andrea had just arrived and was already in the pool doing a few lengths. We all enjoyed an ice cream lolly, then all in for a swim. The water was 27degrees so not at all difficult to get in! Bliss.
Andrea drove Jeanette home, and I stayed behind to help Gill load up her first Breeze ride as a leader. She is actually leading TWO next week. 😇 Then probably busy again with family after that.
Thanks Gill for leading us today and for a lovely swim afterwards. Next Friday is forecast at 23 degrees. Thank goodness, although I'm not free since riding at 3pm on a Breeze ride that day. Guess it might be September before things get back to normal.
