There are cyclists... and there are
cyclists and today I was out with two
cyclists! I know Karan and Lucy through Breeze cycling, and since we have not met up for a while, I suggested a ride together. Knowing they like a bit of a challenge, I led them on what for me is quite a decent amount of climbing, 1600 feet, but I opted for my e-bike, otherwise there would be absolutely no chance that I would keep up. I only used the power on the hills (mostly) so we kept up a decent speed across the ride. At least for me it was... 12.4 mph average.
I drove to meet them at Upper Wargrave. Karan rode from home and Lucy drove. John was with us to start, and after about half a mile, he admitted that he has switched his power on to keep up. lol.
I resisted until the first hill.
Route
We dropped down to cross the weir at Hambleden and John took this photo of us 3 girlies, before he left us across the other side of the Thames.
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| Karan, Lucy and me about to cross over Hambleden Weir. Bluish sky. It would like quite different on our way back! |
Once across, we took the first road up the Hambleden Valley to Rotten Row. It's a tough hill, and one which Lucy had only come down before. Not sure she will ever forgive me. Even with my power on, I was puffing hard at the top. I took the next photo at the top, whilst waiting for them to catch me up.
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| Views at the top on the right of Rotten Row hill |
We made our way over to Frieth, and at the crossroads took the right turn to Lane End. We have been climbing since crossing the Thames at this point, but fairly gradual. Passing over the M40, we ride through Wheeler End, where it levels out for a while, but this time of year with high hedges, we cannot enjoy the views until just before the steep descent to West Wycombe. I stopped for this photo looking across to the Mausoleum. (which we didn't visit today since that's all uphill again!).
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| views to West Wycombe Mausoleum |
After a very short section on the A40, a sharp left turn at the Hell Fire Caves, and we soon leave this road turning into Bottom Lane. I love this road which has several very pretty cottages. This lane is fairly flat with just a gentle rise other than one steep section, but then you are rewarded with lovely views over the crop fields.
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| views along Bottom Lane |
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| Lucy climbing on Bottom Lane |
A nice reward of a downhill section now, before we turn left, and immediately start to climb once more next Radnage, and into a village called The City, which has another short sharp section just waiting for us. Following this road, a left turn soon into Water End Road heading for Beacons Bottom. Here we turn right and almost immediately left (crossing the A40 once more).
Now along Bigmore Lane, which continues over the M40, and arrives at a junction where we cross the Marlow Road. (signposted just 2.5 miles left to Lane End where we crossed earlier).
This takes us into Chequers Lane, which is a steep downhill, with plenty of gravel and potholes in some places, so care needed. Whilst Karen and Lucy took off, I did stop once to capture the view which looks down the valley towards with Turville just over the hill. (Karan has come up this road. Not one that I am desperate to do in the other direction).
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| view as we descend Chequers Lane |
At the bottom, we arrive at the Church at Fingest, and now just ride through the Hambleden Valley, all the hard work done.
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| Hambleden Hollyhocks |
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| Lady Hambleden's Cottage with Roses, opposite the Church |
We had a take away tea/coffee at the village store just as a few spots of rain started, but they passed. However, once we got underway again, the hills beyond the Thames almost disappeared into a mist, and by the time we reach the river, the sky was looking a bit threatening!
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| Are we about to get wet? |
However it blew through, and just around the corner on the path towards The Flower Pot at Aston, blue skies ahead. Phew.
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| The meadow along the path to the Flower Pot |
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| Karan and Lucy waiting for the photographer |
A climb up Aston Lane, which was a doddle compared to the other climbs today, and as Lucy and I said goodbye to Karan at Crazies Hill, we felt a few spots of rain, which in a matter of seconds turned to this! We were very lucky, but poor Karan got a bit wet on her way home.
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| Rain, which I thought couldn't get any heavier, and then it did. |
John also got wet riding home from his ride, where he did 44 miles today, with rain all the way back from Sonning.
Lovely to have your company ladies, and look forward to another trip soon.
