We met John S on our Caledonian Way cycling trip in May. He lives about an hour from us, so we thought it would be nice to meet up. John S planned the route today, and since we had climbed many 1000s of feet in Scotland, he thought we would enjoy some more hills! 😖 I have done bits and pieces of this ride today but usually on "ebike Sunday". I was so tempted to take my ebike today but decided time to give it a go. If John S thought I could do it, then maybe I can!
Route link screenshot at end.
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| Our meeting point at Little Bedwyn. The car park pretty full! John S normally parks here mid week when it's empty. |
The first section was pretty easy as we climbed gently away from the canal and through Great Bedwyn. We continued climbing near Wilton Windmill area (which we didn't see today). Our approach to this area was different to previous rides John and I had ever done, so all new territory for a while.
The light today was bland, so not the best photos, but the landscape still looking nice.
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| Reaching a high point of a climb, close to the Wilton area |
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| Seedheads of next years flowers. |
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| Lots of big views today. |
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| I can see another little rise ahead, so not yet at the top of this one. |
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| Arriving at this 5 way junction in Oxenwood |
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| Nice style of architecture in Oxenwood. |
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| We picked up some speed on some downhills as we cane into Fosbury, to slow down again on a rise towards Vernham Dean. |
I stopped to photograph this impressive scene of Christ's Church on the road called Fosbury Vernham Dean. According to google the church is no longer used. Can't find any information about the impressive property next to it.
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| Vernham Dean |
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| Vernham Dean |
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| Vernham Dean |
The next village we passed through was Linkenholt. But we approached from a completely different direction once more, all uphill, so nothing was recognisable. Infact we didn't pass the church today which has quite a distinctive Tower and nice Lych Gate. We always approach uphill, just not THIS uphill.
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| A fast downhill out of Linkenholt (unless you stop for photos, then not so fast. 😂) |
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| Same spot looking further left. (Have photographed this before coming UP this climb) |
Turns out our guide, John S, climbed up this hill just yesterday with his club ride. Glutton for punishment.
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| The hill we came up into Faccombe, peaking at 14%.. I got off here to walk the final bit. |
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| Photo by John M of John S reaching the top. |
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| I got there eventually. |
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| The Jack Russell Pub, Faccombe. Very nice food. |
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| There were some white deer beyond the fence but didn't bother to walk over there today. Still recovering! |
The climb on the Garmin, doesn't stop here. But the next section much more doable, we we turned left, to continue to climb to Berkshire highest point, at Combe Gibbet.
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| At the top of Combe Gibbet. A walker kindly took our photo. |
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| And part way down from the top |
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| And a bit further down. In better light this could have looked amazing with the undulations. |
Our guide, kindly bought the drinks and cakes. Thanks John. We will return your kindness on our next meetup on "our "patch.
Another long downhill leaving Inkpen, but where we usually cross at a X roads to head further down to pass the church, we turned right at the junction, to Lower Green. (Just a different side to a triangle). And then staight over into Craven Road, towards Cold Harbour and eventually over the cattle grid into Hungerford Park. Ah! I know where I am again. 😂
Once over the canal, a 10% climb up on Dark Lane passing the ground of Denford Park.
(I brought some of my friends here, and Louise had recognised it as where she had trained as a Norland Nanny, almost 50 years ago!
Left turn at the top continuing over 2 main road junctions, arriving in Chilton Foliat, with its quirky Thatch cottages.
(We have also done this the opposite direction, having climbed up from Froxfield then down a long hill passing Littlecote.) Which means.... we need to soon climb up that loooooong hill to Littlecote. 😖
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| "Peppercorn" thatches in Chilton Foliat. Passing this on our left today, not right! |
The climb to Littlecote was another tough one, but made it this time. It started off fine, before it ramped up to over 10% at the end. We stopped for a breather, then I was looking forward to the big downhill towards the A4 on the other side of the hill.
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| John S already out of site, but I asked my John to wait until my camera was out to get this shot. Littlecote Road heading down to Froxfield. |
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| And a phone shot from John as I passed him on the downhill. |
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| Back to the Kennet and Avon Canal at Little Bedwyn. |
Thank you to John S for a lovely route today, and plenty more new lanes discovered for us. Look forward to our next ride together.
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