I was out today with the boys, John and Dave, starting from the Pet Barn at Sonning Common. John planned the route, which took us on a couple of detours. The first was Mapledurham, then after Goring we went a loop into South Stoke. Took my Road Bike, and also did some filming on my GoPro.
Route
We left Sonning Common passing the pond, then up the hill towards Kidmore End. Instead of going right on our usual route using Wood Lane to cross to Wyfold Road, we went straight across (round the back of the Church) heading to Tokers Green. Shortly, we turned right into Mill Lane, which was in a terrible condition and we had to pick our way through the potholes. This ends with a steep uphill to join the main A4074, where we cross pretty much straight over towards Mapledurham. Downhill from here.
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| Roses on the gate of Mapledurham Mill |
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| So having got down here.... we turn back up again, for quite a few miles! |
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| John and Dave leaving Mapledurham behind. |
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| I stopped to take this photo not far out of the village, then had to peddle hard to catch them up. |
We soon turned left on a bend, and followed the lane towards Goring Heath, then take a right fork for a short distance emerging on the B471. A right turn here and it's still a steady climb along the not very busy road, before we do a dog leg over at a place called Crays Pond, then shortly turn left at a crossroads into Elvendon Lane.
( I recognise the junction that I would normally approach from the right, if coming down through Woodcote.)
It's a fun downhill here for almost 3 miles into Goring, passing under ancient woodland trees. Actually it changes it name 3 times, from Elvendon Lane, to Battle Road, then to Elvendon Road on the way down. At a gate on the left I stopped to photograph this field of corn, which was glowing deep orange in the sun, whilst the boys carried on, and I caught up at the bottom. Passed three sizable groups of cyclists heading up the hill. I have done it uphill too, but downhill is much more fun!
As we arrive in Goring to check out the coffee shop on the bridge, a kids cricket match is underway, so we stop for a few minutes to watch. Cafe was too busy with a Q and also no tables outside, so we turned around, and headed back the way we came, before taking the path which is part of The Ridgeway .
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| Goring cricket pitch |
At the end of the bridal way, John and Dave drop down to the Thames to Don Giovanni at The Leathern Bottel. I opted to wait at the top!
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| Views at The Leathern Bottel. |
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| Views as we arrive to join the B4009, Wallingford Road |
Next, instead of taking the first right turn off the main road, our route continued just a little further along the B4009 Wallingford Road, and this amazing open landscape on our right.
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| Go pro screen grab |
We now turn left and do a loop through pretty South Stoke, before crossing back over the Wallingford Road, and into quiet lanes again (Woodcote Road). This next scene on our left.
At the junction of Icknield Road, this beautiful opium poppy field, so another photo stop!
A plane coming in to land at Ipsden Airfield came right over us, before landing.
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| Passing what was Rowan Atkinson's house on the hill |
Turning left at Braziers Park into Ipsden, we take the right turn at the Xroads, signposted for the Blue Tin Farm shop, (Garson's Hill) and we know we have a horrible climb just ahead. Not one I have ever managed, nor John, but Dave took it all in his stride! Well done Dave. I'd like to mention here that Dave has a mountain bike, and must have MUCH better gearing than us.... or maybe he's just more fit!
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| John and Dave approaching the climb on Garson's Hill |
Busy day at The Blue Tin, with their recently set up "covid" friendly outdoor coffee spaces.
We are at the top! Well almost. Just a slight climb in Kit Lane to Stoke Row. We don't carry on into Stoke Row, but turn right just before we get there, towards Checkendon, then left and down through what I call the "bluebell wood", on Emmens Lane (no bluebells of course!). Right along Wyfold Road, left into Wyfold Lane, then down the hill into Sonning Common.
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| Boys will be boys. Who will be first to the top of Wyfold Lane? As you can tell I am holding back to film them! |
26 miles, 1300 feet, Average speed 10.7. (with lots of photo stops). Nice route.
As we arrive in Goring to check out the coffee shop on the bridge, a kids cricket match is underway, so we stop for a few minutes to watch. Cafe was too busy with a Q and also no tables outside, so we turned around, and headed back the way we came, before taking the path which is part of The Ridgeway .
