It's that time of year when unless you go NOW, you will miss the Chiltern Bluebells woods at their peak. So today, I planned a ride to the Blue Tin farm shop, which is always a popular ride. I normally offer this ride as a shorter route, but the regular Wednesday group are all pretty fit now, and don't mind a mid 30s mile ride.... which today crept closer to 40! (I also offered to pick up anyone who may prefer to drive to Emmer Green, for a 20 mile loop. (Amy chose that option, so she got all the best bits, for half the effort!. Good plan! 😂)
Our Champ Sue is unexpectedly out of action this week. Sue had planned to also to offer a Wednesday ride, but had to cancel at the weekend. I felt slightly obligated therefore to take 7 with me, but there were an additional 3 on the waiting list too (who had told me via FB ). Gill C, who is a "Breeze Champ in waiting", offered to lead an unofficial small shadow group today so that everyone who wanted to come, was able to join me. This won't be a regular thing, since it's a lot of people to manage, but it's a bit special in the Chilterns atm, and a shame to miss it. I know the extra couple of ladies were very grateful Gill, so thanks. We split into two groups where it made sense.
Route link screen shot at end.
I give Amy an eta of 10.30 at Emmer Green. She spotted us (not difficult), as both groups had pulled in waiting for the lights to changed next to the Mill at Sonning, so she knew were were well on our way. Then I called her before we climbed our hill to Emmer Green. I don't know how many times I called Amy "Kim" today. 😂😂😂. Sounds so similar. 😆
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| Group 2 going over the Thames in Sonning. Rose looking like she's having fun. |
At the Playhatch roundabout, instead of climbing Dunsden Hill, we turned left to then climb on the cyclepath to Emmer green. It's got a real kick of about 12% at one point, and good for warming us up. Once we liased with Amy, we dropped down Kidmore End road, then all the way through to Kidmore End Church, where we regrouped once more.
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| Gill leading group 2 arriving at Kidmore End church with its weird Yew sculptures. |
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| All present and correct. |
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| Just after Kidmore End Church, this band of pink crop in the field, which we stopped to discuss. My guess is that it's Red Campion, beneficial to insects. |
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| Google photo. |
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| A bit of fun along Wyfold Lane. |
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| Amy stopped for a photo on Emmens Lane, Checkendon. |
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| The Bluebell girls. Louise and Amy. Photo by Rose |
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| Kim and Gill on Emmens Lane. The bluebell patch here not so good this year. Looks like it's been trampled on. |
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| A bit of effort needed on Emmens Lane, Checkendon. |
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| Kim, Gill, Me and Amy. Photo by Rose. The others had kept going, and we met up with them at the Equestrian Centre, then just 5 mins downhill to the Blue Tin, picking our way through the potholes. But no puddles today! Woopeee. My hubby was also leading a ride today for WCC, with one lady. They were just about to leave as we arrived. (But they had set out 15 mins ahead of us from Cantley. )  Photo taken by John of rent-a-crowd. Linda, Amanda O, me, Amanda T, Amy (aka Kim), Gill, Rose, Kim (the official one), Louise and Jeanette. |
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| Table for 10, and the sun came out. Perfect. |
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| Just a short climb back uphill, before we enjoy a long run into Stoke Row. |
We normally turn right in Stoke Row to head back to Sonning Common, but today we continued straight on dropping down under the canopy of beautiful Beech Woods (no bluebells), and then a cheeky uphill to Highmoor Cross. We were now at the high point, and soon turned into the quiet Rocky Lane, all downhill, emerging at back entrance to Greys court. It was lovely and Rose was "in heaven".
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| Me assisting the Damsel in distress. photo by Rose |
