Just 3 of us today, with all the others on holiday. Again!!! I had a cuppa with Andrea last Friday, rode with Jeanette last Saturday, and Gill joined my Breeze ride on Wed, so I have at least seen the rest of the WLCG team in the past week. My turn for a holiday coming up next week.
The forecast was for heavy rain early in the morning, but thank goodness we ignored it. It was perfect cycling weather. It was a lovely ride today with Lynne leading Martina and I on her recently discovered route to get us from White Waltham, to Marlow. Well done Lynne. Martina has not been on her bike for 3 weeks, so did really well to manage 36 miles. (Although it was the only way to get home😊)
Route
The first 13 or so miles, were all very familiar to get us to White Waltham, then across the Knowl Hill Bridle circuit across the crop fields to Breadcroft Lane.
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| The rape crops going to seed, but this building always reminds me of French Farmhouse |
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| Martina has a new jacket! Very smart, and new cycling shorts too. |
Turning left out of Breadcroft Lane, we climbed up Canon Lane, under the A404, then right at the A4 roundabout, where Stubbings turnoff would be to the left. Just a few yards further on, we turned into Newlands Drive.
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| Newlands Drive becomes a private drive, and we turn right just before the picket fence |
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| The footpath, off Newlands Drive |
A couple of twists and turns then left onto Pinkneys Road, arriving at this junction, with the National Trust land of Pinkneys Green.
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| Pinkney Green Cricket Club |
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| On our right at the road junction |
We now join the busy A308, but only for a short section, before a right turn into Winterhill Road. This is the start of a 3 miles gradual climb up to Cookham Dean.
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| On our route up Winterhill Road |
At the top, we turn right on a bend, hoping to look back at the view, but the hedges all too high and dense to see anything. There was an occasional glimpse of an impressive looking house, but I couldn't get quite high enough to see it properly. (Come back in winter). A view eventually did appear on our right.
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| Views from Hockett Lane |
At the summit, a left turn now, to enjoy the hairpin bends down into Marlow, on the bank of Winter Hill. I always thought this road was called Winterhill, so when Lynne said we were going up Winterhill Road I was a bit worried! This road is called Quarry Wood Road. One to go down, but never up!!
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At the bottom of Quarry Wood Road, with Winterhill now behind us. The canoe centre,
just opposite at this point. |
Now across the bridge into Marlow, and a lovely Lemon and Poppyseed cake for me at the cafe in the park next to the playpark. Lynne actually met a friend and said hello for a few minutes.
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| loads of colour clover amongst the grass |
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| Also plenty of Roses in bloom in the churchyard |
Now turning off to Temple, and through the VERY DARK tunnel to link eventually to Hurley. Alongside the river where we need to push our bikes for a short stretch, where we saw several groups of youths and had a quick chat with one lot. They were doing their DOE awards. Where are you walking from and to I asked. "We have no idea" was their reply. A bit worrying.😂
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| Thames at Hurley |
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| Thames at Hurley |
So, now our next climb of the day, up Rose Lane to Crazies Hill. I used to think this was quite hard, but it gets easier every time. At the top, we opted to return via Wargrave, Loddon Drive, Charvil and Sandford Lane.
Thanks so much Lynne, for an interesting new route. Really enjoyed it. I will miss next week. but hope you all manage to get out together, and see you in a couple of weeks time.
