A very similar ride, distance wise, to yesterdays Breeze ride to the Stud farm, but nothing else was the same. Yesterday........ 23 riders, today just 3. bliss! 😂 We also did double the elevation of yesterday's route, and instead of a foal we saw calves and piglets.
The aim was to take in lots of bluebell lanes on our route today, so we met at Emmer Green and headed to Kidmore End, via Bird in Hand Lane. Since we were just 3, I took my drone along for a few shots in quiet lanes.
route link screenshot at end.
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| One of many Wisteria clad houses we saw today, this one at Kidmore End. |
Next we joined Park Lane to Hook End.
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| Scent of Rape crop in the air on Park Lane, Hook End |
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| Louise, me and Gill with the drone supposed to be ahead of us. It doesn't do so well at that! |
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| It soon moves off to the side and soon crashes in to a hedge. Just a flesh wound. |
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| Wyfold Road. |
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| More bluebells on Emmens Lane. |
Next around Checkenden Equestrian Centre, where we spotted 3 young horses, (2 year olds) and then met the Polo Ponies out for their exercise on the lane. They moved over for us to pass.
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| After a cool and overcast start, the sun came out at the right time. |
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| Look who was waiting for us at the farm shop. |
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| My mug amused us. 😂 |
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| And as we left, the piglets had come out to play. |
After a short climb to join the main road, a long downhill to reach Stoke Row, and all the way through continuing on the road to Highmoor Cross. The road surface was awful, but we enjoyed the long downhill surrounded by Beech Woods on either side, before the struggle uphill to Highmoor Cross.
Soon a turn into the quiet Rocky Lane, passing the back entrance to Greys Court.
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| Rocky Lane with drone up in the trees. |
Up again now to pass Greys Court, and into the unamed lane leading to Bix Manor. A few cars through here today but never busy. Straight over the A4130. There are 3 ways down from here into the Stonor Valley... all steep, and all potholed, so you need to take your time. I opted for Rectory Lane, which has the amazing view through the valley.
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| Beautiful view dropping down from Bix on Rectory Lane. |
And we emerged in Middle Assendon, in the Stonor Valley. All downhill now into Henley on the cycle path, but today I introduced a right turn, which Gill or Louise hadn't done before. It's steep! But avoids going into the town centre to come out again. 😉
Our final climb today was up Woodlands Avenue to climb out of Harpsden, and to cut through the woodland path to emerge at Bottle and Glass pub. A final chance for the drone.
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| Lots of Bluebells here to, and the path nice and dry. |
Just 2 miles to go and we are back to the start. Thanks for joining me ladies, and for your patience to get the drone out a few times. More material for a short film I am collating.
