9 of us we went in search of Autumn colours today in the Chilterns. We didn't find them, so we'll need to go back in about 2 weeks! We were not blessed with sunshine today but a lovely ride anyway. A couple of the group had not ridden this area before, so didn't know what to expect. We came across 2 film crews so had to wait for the "talent" to do their bit before we were allowed through Hambleden Village.
Thanks to Susie, for organising... even if she and Chris were half an hour late getting to the start! lol (We were not aware that the road to Henley from Sonning is closed!) Anyway, we finally got under way at about 10o'clock)
the route
We parked at Mill Lane, then headed out of Henley towards the Stonor Valley, and up the first turning right, a bugger of a hill up to Fawley. Well done to Stephanie, who even although jet lagged, got all the way up. The rest of us got up with a bit of walking at the steepest section..... well we had to got off to let a car past! At least it got our biggest climb out of the way, and at some point we would enjoy the views and a big downhill.
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| Gathering at the top of our steepest climb of the day. |
From Fawley we continued to South End, with some lovely views, even if the autumn colour was not quite there yet.
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Steph, Susie, Liliana, Jackie, Chris, Barbara, Ravinder and Ida
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Now on to through Turville Heath to Northend and the big decent into Turville to look forward to.
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| Northend |
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| So annoyed this was out of focus! The tree canopy down Holloway Lane is always lovely. |
Now into Turville Village. We were stopped by a man with a walky talky, part of film crew. We were allowed through after a few minutes, but not allowed to hang around.
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| Film crew in Turville |
Now a little climb out of Turville to Fingest and a we stopped for a photo looking back, before hitting the next climb up to Freith.
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| Looking back towards Fingest church |
The climb to Freith is not steep, but goes on a bit, but everyone made it up. Now the landscape changes across some crop fields of Chisbridge Lane. I have not been at this time of year across this lane, and it looks very different with the crops standing 6 feet tall.
Then to view from around the corner, looking back to Chisbridge Lane
A fabulous downhill follows at last on a decent road surface, into Hambleden Village and the well deserved tea stop.
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| how civilised! Lot of tea pots at The Post Office, Hambleden |
The walk to the toilets at Hambleden must be the prettiest in the country...
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| Barbara beautifully dressed to match the Dalia and Cosmos flowers. |
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| Off we go for the easy section all flat back to the start. |
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| Crossing Hambleden Weir |
Oh, for some sunshine, but at least we got it dry.
