So nice to ride today with Linda H. We have not seen each other for a year, at my 60th birthday gathering. What a strange year. But Linda has been busy training, and was up for 60 miles, whereas I was happier with around 40.
She requested a ride to include Ipsden area, so we met at The Pet Barn, Sonning Common. It was just floating about freezing this morning, and infact the average temperature for our ride was 1.1 degrees, and a bit of a shock to the system. (John thumbed a lift to the start and he did his own thing, making the most of plenty of stops using his camera today, since it's been a quite special kind of misty day).
I rode parts of this route last week with Gill, in the pouring rain, so it looked quite different today!
route
We headed initially to Kidmore End, then behind the church ie straight on, and rode on the very potholed and mucky Mill Lane, to cross the A4074 and drop down in the direction of Mapledurham. We turned right part way towards Mapledurham, where there was a mist just rising off the fields.
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Above Mapledurham
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Above Mapledurham
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Not long after this Linda stopped since her tyre was rubbing. Both front and back wheels stuffed with muck in her forks, probably from Mill Lane. This would be the first of several stops for this reason, since the route was pretty mucky in places! My tyres were fine with plenty of clearance.
Now to Whitchurch Hill and then drop down towards Goring on Elvendon Lane. Rather than clearing, the mist had been thickening, and this was our view down into Elvendon Lane.
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Elvendon Lane. oops! Not great visibility!
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It was foggy all the way down Elvendon Lane, but exhilarating as we hit 25mph quite easily. Wheeee. We dropped down as far as Cleeve, then a sharp right turn into Icknield Road, and start out climb back up. At the top we take a left, passing the farm (another messy road) to take a detour through South Stoke. Blue sky. Hurray.
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| Views towards South Stoke |
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views to our right at South Stoke, blue sky gone.
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Waiting for the photographer, near South Stoke
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Approaching Ipsden
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We started in 3 degrees, and it seemed to be getting colder, as our fingers told us. We headed across Ipsden where we could barely see anything, and then through Crowmarsh to Benson for a warming drink. John, who had no route planned today was also there. It was now -1 degrees.
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Waterfront Cafe, Benson . This is in colour btw!
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Thames at Benson. Reflection of a attempt at some sun appearing.
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Revived with the help of some delicious lemon cake, and hot drinks, we were off more, and John headed in the opposite direction. We were heading for Ewelme, with a little detour enroute to Berwick Salome.
At the top of the next section, where the Ridgeway crosses, we stopped again since I spotted this amazing cloud down the valley. Was it cloud or steam? With Didcot now gone, not sure. An artist was painting the scene in the field.
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mist lying along the Ridgeway path near Nuffield
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View from Nuffield Church Car park
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Nuffield Church
With the climbing all done pretty much, we now carried straight on into Stoke Row (I had planned to return via Checkendon and Wyfold, but we decided that Linda's bike tyres would not be happy with the inevitable messy roads.) A nice fast return through Kingswood, and back to Sonning Common.
A chilly day, but what amazing mist. Thanks Linda for great company. So glad I was on my ebike to keep up with you😅 ( I got home before John, who came home after 50 miles at 3oclock) |
