Don't normally cycle on a Saturday, but having worked pretty hard most of this week with planting jobs, I had in mind a gentle ride. My plans all went wrong when hubby said he would plan the route.
Starting at Mill Lane at river level is always a worry!
We left Henley heading out towards Marlow, and after 2 miles and opposite Toad Hall Garden Centre we turned into Icehall Lane passing several fields with horses. Over the next 4 miles we climbed 500 feet. Wasn't quite ready for that!
The top of the climb at St Mary's Church, Fawley, where we stopped to peel off a few items. About 10 degrees at this point.
Approaching the bottom of the hill, this lovely typically Chiltern Flint Cottage.
The top of the climb at St Mary's Church, Fawley, where we stopped to peel off a few items. About 10 degrees at this point.
Nodding to loads of cyclists out today either individually, or in groups of 6-8, we continued straight on to Southend, with some lovley views.
Next on towards Turville Heath, and another glorious view through a gate.
I had spotted a sign before "Cyclist Pit Stop" on a sign on an old bike, so we detoured to discover "The Barn at Turville Heath" which serves food and drinks. Finding a tea stop in the Chilterns is always a challenge, so useful for another time. We were not ready at this point on our ride today (well some of us might have been!)
We continued to North End and Christmas Common. New territory for me now. We crossed over the M40 bridge, and for half a mile of so took the A40 to Stokenchurch. We crossed over the M40 once more, on Ibstone Road towards Ibstone.
Every road into Turville is steep, but this one, turning right just after Ibstone School was STEEP! This photo of hubby does not show the true steepness. It was hands on the brakes and hope for the best kind of steepness!!
Approaching the bottom of the hill, this lovely typically Chiltern Flint Cottage.
At the bottom of this hill (with no name), we joined Holloway Lane, which I recognised as the approach from another steep decent from Northend. Finally beginning to join up these roads in my head at last!
Continuing into Turville, spring lambs and the first signs of blue bells. If last year is anything to go by, these bluebells woods will be spectacular in 2 weeks time.
And now the very familiar ride through Skirmett and Hambleden for the tea stop at Hambleden Post Office. Busy today in Hambleden with a big group of walkers thankfully just leaving the tea stop as we arrived.
Leaving Hambleden, always enjoy the view to the Old Barn.
Rather than ride the main road back to Henley, we crossed at the weir, and up to The Flower Pot pub where we joined Remenham Lane, back to Henley Bridge. The weir looked different today, as the flow of the water had been changed. Looked strange to see the stepped areas of the weir dry. Not seen that before.
It was busy along the riverside on the way back from Henley to Mill Lane with everyone out enjoying the spring sunshine. Could not believe to see the cinema carpark at Winnersh busy too as we drove home. Why would anyone go the cinema in the middle of day on such a gorgeous day?