I started a ride on Monday from Emmer Green, and there was no queue through Sonning. 48 hours later, it was choca this morning. But no one was late, so not a problem. Mike dropped Rose off, with several people checking that their van fitted under the height restriction barrier. (It was close! Rose has brought the van here before, but I think since then some extra hard core has been put down. )
Amy and I swapped "Happy New Year" hugs, since I've not seen her since pre Christmas. Nice to have you back Amy. Today was going to be a bit of test for her.😕
Route link
We picked up Amanda T as we peddled into Kidmore End Road, since she cant fit under the height barrier, and then whizzed down and slowly up to Chalkouse Green. A quick warm up! It was forecast sunshine all the way today and eventually 18 degrees. I rather hoped the Willow tree at Kidmore End pond was breaking bud, which it was, so a brief stop for a photo.
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| Kidmore End pond. |
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| Kidmor End Church. |
Kim took the lead for the next section, as we took a left turn on Horsepond Road, and then right into Park Lane. Loads of bluebell foliage now covering the ground, so we are looking forward to a ride in this area in the coming weeks. At a fork in Hook End, a left turn on the Quiet Lane to Exlade Street, emerging at The Highway Man pub.
Soon we crossed a dogleg over the A4074, and through Woodcote, passing the Oratory School, and after another half mile or so, it was time for some downhill at last after 8 miles of uphill.
Rose came up with lots of ideas as we chatted enroute to Goring. Church names that we passed today, or pub name, names of roads......and I told her no none would even notice! Too busy chatting.
So, I settled on the idea of the first person to spot a "Star Magnolia" Magnolia Stellata, somewhere between Goring and coffee at Blue Tin, where the amazing prize would be presented.
We doubled back through Goring with Amy now leading, to join the track which is a section of The Ridgeway.
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Ridgeway path. An on the go shot from my Go Pro, but I haven't used it for a while
and the battery only lasted a few seconds. |
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| Ridgeway path. |
At the end of this path a short section on the B4009 Wallingford Road, which we left to loop through South Stoke.
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Leaving South Stoke, to go under the railbridge once more, and
straight over the B4009 |
As I waited for a few ladies to catch up, Amy arrived very excited with the news that she had spotted a Star Magnolia. (I didn't see it and I was keeping a close eye out!)
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Amy's photo evidence of her Star Magnolia spotting
in South Stoke. |
Across the open landscape of Woodcote Road now, to turn left at the X Roads with Icknield Road. (where the gliders used to be) . Then straight over the A4074, heading to Braziers Park.
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| Across the A4074 and into pot holed lanes to Brazier Park. |
We have approached the Blue Tin from the top before, and also from the bottom up Blue Tin Hill, but I wanted to ride across the Ipsden lanes today, and so this meant a steep uphill first to Ipsden Cross Road, then straight on.
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End of the cheeky climb up to Ipsden X Roads,
where Blue Tin hill is to the right. (But we ignored that today) |
Carrying on across the area called Hailey, (passing King William pub lane,) we took a right fork to head for the bottom of Nuffield Hill.
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| He's bigger than us! Near the bottom of Nuffield Lane |
Well done everyone for making it up Nuffield Hill. It peaks at around 12 percent , then after a bit of rest-bite, kicks up again to 10%., and changes it's name to Brixton Hill. I was beginning to feel a little weak with hunger by now, and infact Gill stopped for a bite to give her some energy to get up the hill.
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| Nuffield Church, on Brixton Hill. |
We are at the top at last after 7 miles of climbing since leaving Goring. A nice easy few miles now to the farm shop, approaching from the top end Berins Hill. ( I led this bit and very nearly missed the left turn off of this road, which would have been a disaster as would need to climb up again. I would have been popular. 😂)
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| Lambs at Hook End |
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| Hook End lambs |
Karen missed the lambs as she powered on ahead up front. Eventually she realised that no one with her, and she turned back. Mirrors ladies!!! Can be very handy and also make for safer riding warning of approaching cars behind you.
Gill was leading now (she found her Garmin in her bag as we left Blue Tin, thinking she had forgotten it today!) A test as we reached the end of Wyfold Road then, as we ALWAYS do a dogleg right here... but not today. Kim was looking confused. 😅. Just for variety and to keep them on their toes, the route today arrived in Sonning Common approached from Horsepond Road, and into Reades Lane.
Passing where we often park in Sonning Common, I thought, well they ALL know where we are now, except that Linda and Amy shot passed Bird in Hand Lane, and I had to yell after them. 4 others had already turned left!!! lol.
Back to Emmer Green car park for most of us, but Amanda carried straight on to where her car was, and Rose, who was peddling to meet Mike in Caversham, suddenly disappeared too. Bye!!!!😄
A great day for cycling, and very well done to you all for helping once more with my Scotland training. I think you are fit enough now to come with me! 😎 Next week I promise a local easy route.
