Breeze Crazies Hill to Watlington via Turville - 36 miles 2000 feet.

My ride today was definitely going to be a challenging one. But the reward for a few minutes of "pain", certainly had plenty of "gain."   I was pretty convinced that I was going to be off walking on the first of 2 long climbs...... and that some of the others would be joining me!  Rose and Gill were a bit nervous having looked at the ride profile. What's the worst that can happen? 😂

Route link screenshot at end. 

The ride started at Crazies Hill, which Amanda T and Karen were able to ride a short distance to from Twyford.  My hubby got a lift with me to the start, and a chance for a group photo, which he took, before he disappeared. It was just above freezing, and foggy, but the promise of sunshine and 12 degrees. Difficult to know what to wear.

Me, Amand O, Karen, Amanda T, Rose, Gill. 
Freezing fog as we started out.

I encouraged a bit of speed to get us moving quicker than normal, in an effort to warm up, but the first few miles were all flat or downhill to cross the Thames at Hambleden.  But as we reached the lock, the sun was just trying to break through. 

Hamleden Lock, with a tiny glimpse of sun breaking through. 

This is in colour, but looks black and white. 

As I caught up from taking a couple of photos, the ladies had all stopped on the weir bridge, where we stayed for a few minutes to watch an amazing kayak-er!    

As we crossed to the Hambleden Valley the mist almost burning off now. 

A quick Pit stop at Hambleden Valley

 A little scene behind the pit stop. 

As we set off Gill led the first two, and the rest of us followed just a few seconds later, only to see them all stopped about 100 yards up the road. Agggh. Gill had a puncture.   She is tubeless, and tiny holes just fill in automatically, so for her tyre to go down, it must mean a big hole. We went back to the car park, and in the sun it was now really very pleasant. 

Assessing the damage, but we could feel a stream of air coming out of  a hole. 

Rose's finger holding the air in, whilst Gill prepared a rubber "plug" to 
fill the hole. Then a bit of air in the tyre, and were soon off again. Phew. 

A cheeky little climb after we leave Hambelden Village behind, up to this higher road (Bottom Lane). Always good to appreciate the valley views from here.... and catch your breath. 

Bottom Lane, Hambleden. 

An easy ride along Hambleden Valley, all  nice and dry of course, apart from the small flood , which is a permenent feature due to the underground water near Skirmett. At the end of the valley a left turn towards Turville, and a moment to enjoy the next view. 

View on our left as we approach Turville. 

And a stop to remove layers and winter gloves, at the windmill.
Too hot now, and a BIG hill looming. 

Chitty Chitty Windmill. 

Vicar of Dibley church, Turvillle. Nice to see the scaffolding
down, which was here last time I passed through. 

Beyond Turville, the only way out.... is up.  I've done this a couple of times on my ebike, and attempted it on my normal bike.... but had to walk.  Here we go!  Its a long slog, but thanks to no vehicles either up and down, we all dug in, and made it to the top.😇😇😇

At the top and it flattens out at last. I stopped to wait for the others to 
catch up. Karen and Amanda O kept going. 

Gill and Amanda T not far behind me....

And Rose just behind them.  Well done!!! 

Also at the top of the hill. Some calves.

And ahead is North End.

At North End.  Rose collapsed. 😂

We're nearly at the top, but a little more elevation up to Christmas Common, then huge drop down Hill Road into Watlington. 

Almost at the bottom of Hill Road, which at the bend
is the steepest part of the descent. 

Coffee stop. 

TeePee behind is used for private functions. 

So nice, we sat outside 

A little detour after coffees, for the benefit of those who had not been before to Pyrton Church. We were probably a week early for the daffodil display, but it meant that the snowdrops were still looking fresh.

Pyrton Church entracnce

I just love the grass path. 

Amanda taken her photo. 

Th is was the church kitchen area. Loved the light.

It was freezing in the church, so we didn't hang about. 

This elevation would be much easier to draw or paint! 

An easy few miles next through the Chocolate box villages of Cuxham, Brightwell Baldin, and to Ewelme.  We normally turn out of Ewelme to head for either Nuffield Hill, or Blue Tin Hill, or further to climb to Checkendon. BUT TODAY.... we climbed Swyncombe Hill.  I used to walk up this, but have done it a couple of times now. It's gradual to start, then  peaks  at 16 %, for a bit too long! So its tough. But most of us made it today. 

Gill reaches the top. Well, the top of this bit. 

Here comes Rose. 

Woo hooo..  

Swyncombe Hill, where the Ridgeway crosses. 

We're not done yet but the worst is almost over. 

In the next few miles we crossed to the flat areas of Russell's Water, and then down the huge hill into the Stonor Valley.  I put Amanda O at the front, since she loves a downhill. She was a dot in the distance in no time. She reached 35.7mph. She's mad!!! My max today was 21.7mph. Amanda T doesnt like the downhills, and infact felt a bit wobby at the bottom. A snack bar helped her to recover. Actually we were all getting hungry now. It's well past lunch time. 

 A gentle pootle now through the Stonor Valley Road and down the Fairmile into Henley, where some rowers were out on the river.  One inevitable hill finally to get back to Crazies Hill, up Aston Lane. 

So proud of you ladies today (and myself!).  What a long way we have come over the years. Karen, who joined Breeze recently left us all standing a few times today. She seems to just glide along... faster than the rest of us! 😂 A very late lunch, home at 3.45pm!