Another outing for my RED Breeze jacket as leader of this ride from Crazies Hill, with Cathy as my assistant.
Andrea had to cancel due to illness yesterday, but her space was quickly taken up last night by someone new to me... except that they also had to cancel at the last minute due to a broken brake cable. What a shame. Hope to meet you soon Michelle. So we were 5. Gill (in training for cycling in Taiwan), Jean (whom I had met a long time ago, but not seen for ages), and Julie whom I met last week on my beginners ride. She is in training for a marathon. This was quite a challenging ride, but these ladies are pretty fit (unlike me!). At least I knew we had 3 long down hills to look forward to!!
Before we set off from Crazies Hill, I started my Garmin only to find that the ride I had sent to my device last night was NOT there. I was confident I knew most of the ride, so it was a good test to convince myself that I shouldn't get us lost. A slight detour at one point, but actually it turned out for the best. Here is the recorded route we did.
First photo stop at the lovely path at the back of the Flower Pot, Aston over to the Thames. I had walked here yesterday in grey drizzle.
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| Perfect weather. Julie, Jean, Cathy, Gill |
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| Crossing the weir |
Once into the Hambleden Valley, we turned first right to Rotten Row. I knew I couldn't do this hill. Turned out no one else could either, so I didn't feel so bad. But all agreed that the climb was worth it for the next few miles which were easy going, and very pretty.
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| Horrible road up to Rotten Row. Steep, gravelly, narrow, and goes on too long. |
As a reminder to myself, my plan had been to go straight on at Rockwell End at Chisbridge Lane, which is a dip down them up again at the house on the right, but instead turned left here since the sign to Frieth was left, so I then doubted my memory. It was a very pretty route and came through Frieth on a road I had not been on before, passing the school. At the X Roads we turned left and enjoyed the long downhill into Fingest. Heading next on the road into Turville, we then took first left into Dolesden Lane. I had not cycled up this before, but decided to give it a go. It's a long slog with a kick at the end. We stopped a couple of times for a breather. This photo not too far up, shows the view to Turville Windmill. (I filmed in this field a few weeks ago)
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| The road ahead, not steep but long and gradual. |
Other then Gill, we all ran out of steam eventually, and met up again at the top corner. As we all congratulated Gill, she mentioned her gearing was the reason she made it and we didn't. I had a discussion with my hubby when I got home about this. Maybe I need yet another new bike, or better gearing?
The last push was actually easy after a short rest and soon we turned left heading to South End. Then left again at the junction and left once more into the Vineyard Road (Dudley Lane), which is so pretty with its Beech Trees and fabulous views over the Hambleden Valley looking across to Frieth.
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| Dudley Lane woodlands |
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| Waiting for the photographer |
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As we emerge from Dudley Woodlands, the views open up on this steep downhill section dropping us back
into the Hambleden Valley. |
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| Steep downhill. Never been down here before. Only ever walked up! |
After 15 miles, our tea stop at Hambleden Post Office.
Then back over Hambleden weir and the climb up Aston Lane. Cathy went full steam ahead and was first up the hill. Well done Cathy. Well done to everyone, and thanks for your company today.
