Our second Thursday evening ride, and blessed with good weather, even if unseasonably windy. We started at The Five Horseshoes at 5.30pm, and aimed to return there for dinner at 7.30pm.
John & me, Carole &Nigel, Linda B, Linda & Nigel. Lottie and Alex got caught in traffic and never made it. Shame, but knowing we would be struggling for daylight, we had to go at 5.30pm.
John's Garmin
shows the route
I took a photo of the lovley view from the pub, just before we left. (And a similar view as the sun went down at the end. )
We set off heading west, pretty much on the level (but slightly uphill as we found out!), then right at the end of the road, and after just a couple of hundred yards turned left into Britwell Hill Road, and enjoyed the BIG downhill into Britwell Salome. Wheeee.
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| John, Carole and Nigel on the downhill |
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| Suns rays just peeping through |
Then to Brightwell Upperton, Brightwell Baldwin and a quick visit to the pretty Church at Cuxham for the benefit of those new to the area.
Next we doubled back a little and recrossed the B4009 (twice) doing a loop to Roke.
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| Cute little pony |
Then on to Berick Salome, and Rokemarsh, skirting the edge of RAF Benson and onto Ewelme.
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| At the Kings Pond - Ewelme. |
And now the climb. About 130mts from Ewelme up to Swyncombe. I stopped and took this photo looking back towards Ewelme and never did catch them up. (that's my excuse anyway).
I still cant do it! Linda B got off and walked a little too, whilst Nigel (Big Nigel), peddled up, came back to check on us, then went up again. We regrouped at the point where the Ridgeway crosses.
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| Linda looking back to where we came from. Nigel, not even breathing hard! |
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| And one that John took |
Almost back and just another couple of miles of gentle uphill, before turning once more into the road back to Russel's Water, which since it was uphill on the way out, was good news for the way back.
We had a lovely meal, and around 8.30, the sky was looking a little pink and golden, and just momentarily a lovely glow on the field outside.
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| Sun just about to disappear at 8.36pm |
Thanks all for your company. A lovely end to the day. Hope we can manage another one soon
