Our newest Breeze leaders, Gill and Janet, teamed up today partly since Janet had planned to lead her own ride to Fernygrove, but then realised it is closed on Mondays. (There are several cafes closed on Monday, so not so much choice as other days).
Gill delayed the start till 10 o'clock in the hope that it might be a couple of degrees warmer, but still a bit misty and cold when we started out from Sindlesham. But wearing the correct layers, we were fine.
Very nice to meet 2 riders on their first Breeze ride, friends Gail and Alison, who had driven from Warfield. Caroline, also a relatively new rider joined us too, as well as old timers Amanda T and myself.😂. (Some of my Monday club friends weren't free today, so I signed up to join this ride a couple of days ago.)
Route link screenshot at end
We set off into the track leading to Halls Farm, a bit muddy in places, but generally ok. (that said, my bike needed a good wash!).
 |
| Views from Halls farm track |
 |
Front. Gail, Gill, Amanda T
|
 |
| Caroline, Janet and Alison |
 |
Roof down! Brrrr. We crossed from Greensward Lane to Swallowfield Road,
to climb Castle Hill to Farley Hill. That warmed us up! |
Dropping down to Thatchers Ford on Sandpit Lane, the distant views were very misty.
 |
| Trowes Lane Beech Hill |
 |
Trowes Lane.
Janet and Caroline |
If was actually quite nice to warm up on the climb on Chequers Lane to Wellington Farm Shop. We got a large table, perfect for our group of 7.
 |
Anne, Caroline, Alison, Janet, Gill, Amanda T and Gail.
|
 |
| And we're off again. |
 |
| Still misty in the far distance. Was hoping for a little sunshine by now. 😒 |
All very easy downhill and flat through Swallowfield, but then a gentle rise to Arborfield Cross on Swallowfield Road, was ideal to get us warmed up again. Caroline left us at Observer Way to make her way home directly. She had ridden to the start.
 |
| Arborfield Cross. Remembrance parade was yesterday. |
Around the roundabout, and into the track to The Coombes, all dry apart from the muddy section next to the ford. Uphill of course next.
 |
Views to the left as we reached the top of the climb away
from the ford. A glimmer of light? |
 |
| Gail, Janet and Alison, catching up. |
We took the left fork, Gravelhill Pit Lane, to cross Mole Road to connect to Halls Farm track once more, back to Sindlesham. We said our goodbyes at the car park, and Sods law, the sun broke through 5 mins later as I rode home down Sadlers End.
 |
Beautiful light on Sadlers End. A bit late!!
Thank you Gill. A nice route while making the most of the tracks before more rain comes. Thanks to Janet as back marker and for the good company of others too.
|
