I led Liliana, Ravinder and Daphne today using a pre recorded route that John had done on his garmin.
Garmin route
I had some basic instructions on how to use it before I set off, which on reflection was not enough.... as I soon found out, when the screen disappeared not long after we started. Fortunatley I was familiar with parts of the ride, just had not connected them all together before.
First, through Harspden, keeping to the lower level, and eventually climbing Devil's Hill, then a right and a left into Sonning Common. (Garmin had gone all quiet on me at this point, but I knew to look out for Widmore Lane.
Following Wyfold Road, we continued along some narrow lanes to Exlade Steet and came out just opposite the Highwayman Pub.
My good friends Debi & Geoff live right next door, so spent a few minutes chatting.
Now in theory downhill all the way to Goring. Wrong! We crossed the A4074 into Woodcote, and headed to South Stoke, enjoying the big downhill, before turning left and climbing once more into Ickneild Road.
Next, over to join a short part of the Ridgeway at Rossini's on The Thames, and continued into the main street in Goring to Pierrepont's Cafe
Now to get back up from Goring, which involves a long climb. I had never come out of Goring this way before (only downhill), so Battle Road, into Elvendon Lane into Shirvers Hill was a bit too long for most of us , but we did it.
I am not sure the others had any clue where they were in relation to how far we still had to go, and was often asked "Are there any more hill to come? " The worst now over (ish). We crossed back over the A4074 and through Checkendon.
Shortly beyond the Church a right turn, eventually taking us back to the cross roads at Wyfold ROAD, and then left into Wyfold LANE. As I write this I just realised these two names. (thought they were the same!). Wyfold Lane joins the road at the Unicorn Pub, at Peppard Common.
Now downhill for a bit at least on Stoke Row Road, the diagonally across at The Pet Barn on to Blounts Court Road. Continuing on this road, the Garmin once more let us down, and we carried straight on through Binfield Heath, heading to Shiplake. Realising this was wrong, we had to climb back UP a long hill we just came down (I was not popular!).
After confirmation from a local, we saw a sign to Harpsden, and followed this, arriving back in to Harspden on a nice long downhill, with the golf course on our right. Almost there now!
Finally, minutes before we got back, the sun came out, so we took the opportunity of a group photo on Marsh Lock bridge.
Well done team. Only 4 extra miles on top of the planned 30!
Garmin route
I had some basic instructions on how to use it before I set off, which on reflection was not enough.... as I soon found out, when the screen disappeared not long after we started. Fortunatley I was familiar with parts of the ride, just had not connected them all together before.
First, through Harspden, keeping to the lower level, and eventually climbing Devil's Hill, then a right and a left into Sonning Common. (Garmin had gone all quiet on me at this point, but I knew to look out for Widmore Lane.
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| Pond on Widmore Lane, not looking its best in the drab light today |
We continued to Kidmore End, and was relieved to see this Momument that I had spotted on Google Maps when I was checking out the route... Garmin still not interested!
Then Garmin suddenly came back to life, and we were happy to know we were on the right route.
My good friends Debi & Geoff live right next door, so spent a few minutes chatting.
 |
| Debi with Bear and Pearl. (guess which has which name!) |
Now in theory downhill all the way to Goring. Wrong! We crossed the A4074 into Woodcote, and headed to South Stoke, enjoying the big downhill, before turning left and climbing once more into Ickneild Road.
 |
| All 3 ahead of me as I stopped for a photo at the bottom of Ickneild Road |
 |
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| Rather than go straight down to Goring, we turned at the farm |
Next, over to join a short part of the Ridgeway at Rossini's on The Thames, and continued into the main street in Goring to Pierrepont's Cafe
Now to get back up from Goring, which involves a long climb. I had never come out of Goring this way before (only downhill), so Battle Road, into Elvendon Lane into Shirvers Hill was a bit too long for most of us , but we did it.
 |
| Well done Daphne! |
I am not sure the others had any clue where they were in relation to how far we still had to go, and was often asked "Are there any more hill to come? " The worst now over (ish). We crossed back over the A4074 and through Checkendon.
 |
| Checkendon Church |
Now downhill for a bit at least on Stoke Row Road, the diagonally across at The Pet Barn on to Blounts Court Road. Continuing on this road, the Garmin once more let us down, and we carried straight on through Binfield Heath, heading to Shiplake. Realising this was wrong, we had to climb back UP a long hill we just came down (I was not popular!).
After confirmation from a local, we saw a sign to Harpsden, and followed this, arriving back in to Harspden on a nice long downhill, with the golf course on our right. Almost there now!
Finally, minutes before we got back, the sun came out, so we took the opportunity of a group photo on Marsh Lock bridge.
Well done team. Only 4 extra miles on top of the planned 30!