Pet Barn, Christmas Common, Ipsden - 31 miles

on

I asked Daphne if she fancied a ride today, and since she has a loose arrangement with Linda Rudden and Ida, we were a team of 4. It was lovely to see the others after months - Pre Covid last time we were out. We met at The Pet Barn. John came too and started there with Dave doing a similar route, although I had warned him that my ride  (with 2 photographers) would take a bit longer to get back to the van.

"Can't take that much longer he said...."

Route

Under gloomy skies, we set off heading for Christmas Common which is uphill for the first 12 miles. We went via Wyfold Lane, and cut through at Checkendon Equestrian Centre. Ida spotted this old building, behind some fenced off area, so we stopped for a look. SOME of us stayed behind the fence. Whilst others were a bit naughty.

Photo through the wire fence at Checkendon

Also taken through the fence

A project? Peaking through a hole in the wall

Now along Kit Lane to Nuffield, and across the A4130 to Park Corner. We stopped for a breather at the turn off to Swyncombe.
Park Corner

Then a slight detour to see the views across the valley on the road which leads to  Russells Water. Just  a few yards, then we doubled back and headed to Christmas Common,


Daphne and Linda enjoying the views. Ida up ahead
with her camera too.


As we came back to the junction, Daphne had spotted these stripes on the field opposite. Nice patterns.


A couple of self timed photos at Christmas Common



After 12 miles of climbing, at last a big downhill into Watlington. I got up to 25 mph and I was  braking hard all the way down. 

Views on the right of Hill Road
Tea Stop and blue sky!

Covid means a lot more outdoor seating these days. 

I was slightly surprised not to see John and Dave at Spire and Spoke, since they had planned to stop there too. Perhaps they decided to stop at Benson?

The route now goes through Cuxham, and Britwell Baldwin, and around the edge of Ewelme.

Views from Britwell Baldwin looking back to the hill we 
dropped down from

Passing through Benson

Since the ladies had not been this way before, we stopped on our way through Preston Crowmarsh and on to the bridge over the weir.

Views from the weir bridge
Linda and Daphne on the bridge


Ida

The way in and out

Perfect weather now


Now at river level, the inevitable climbing starts. First to Ipsden, and we arrived at the top of our first climb, the field on the right was almost a luminous green.


Linda having a well earned drink after that nasty little climb out of Wallingford
to Ipsden


Now straight on along this road, which is normally pretty easy going, but the wind had picked up and we were fighting the whole way. We were aiming for Garsons Hill.


Daphne nearing the top
Still smiling!

Daphne peels off a layer as Linda appears over the brow of the hill.
Old Tractor at The Blue Tin Farm Shop
Ida  making a note of the farm shop to return another day 
in her car maybe. (NOT open Mondays)

Almost all the climbing done now, other than a slight rise to Stoke Row.

Oops. Chain off

We got back to the Pet Barn where John had been patiently waiting for 40 mins. I did tell him not to rush! Dave has a new road bike, and he got the blame for going too fast. John also on his new gravel bike today and so both very happy boys. 

Looking like unsettled weather ahead this week, so it was good to be out today making the most of the weather.Well done to the ladies, who did 1400 feet of climbing today over the 30 miles.