Sunday bike ride today with my best buddy, John. With a few rides in our diaries this coming week, we opted for e-bikes, since we were heading for the undulations of West Berkshire. (as if we need an excuse!)
route
As we drove towards Newbury there was some pretty heavy mist, which could have been great for photos, but not so good to cycle in. We just "mist" it, by the time we parked up at Snelsmore Common. The car park was packed today for some reason, but probably just families getting outdoors a lot more than they used to in Pre-Covid days. (We have been here twice before, and pretty empty both times).
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A very messy and busy car park today at Snelsmore
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We took our usual route from the car park ie a left and left again towards Winterbourne, where we stopped part way down the hill to take in the views.
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views with the first few minutes
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Last bit of mist in the middle distance. Shame we missed it hanging over this valley
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On our way downhill into Winterbourne (we also return up this hill)
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Winterbourne Church in the distance
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Now a lovely ride alongside the Winterbourne River, passing The Watermill Theatre at Bagnor, before a sharp right passing The Woodspeen Restaurant. (Scaffolding up at The Woodspeen. Looks like new roof whilst they are closed during lockdown).
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River Winterbourne at Bagnor soon joins the River Lambourne
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Entrance to The Windmill Theatre
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Having dropped down to river level, we spend the next 15 miles climbing! All quite gradual, but all uphill.
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Passing under the M4, beyond Boxford
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Passing through Boxford. Pretty village.
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We continue to Chaddleworth, where we once did a walk, so did a tiny detour to visit the church.... a little further uphill of course!
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Mostly 12th century, St Andrews, Chaddleworth
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Impressive building alongside the church too
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| Retracing our steps into Chaddleworth ,where we turn left at a large crop field with great clouds. |
Relatively flat now for the next section, and it's after 11 o'clock, so we find a bench for our snack in another church. This time in Brightwalton. (not been here before)
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| All Saints church, Brightwalton |
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Selfie from a gravestone. First outing of my orange jacket.
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We turn right for a short section on the B4494, then a very sharp left turn and we find this. Saddleback Farm Shop. ( run by the same company as Honesty at Inkpen). Since we had just stopped, didn't bother this time, but note for future. (Open every day 9-4). Takeaway atm, but hopefully one for next spring. (pleeeese!)
The next few photos are looking back from the road we climbed from the Farm Shop and towards a pretty village called Farnborough.
Now more gentle again to Stanmore, Peasemore and Chieveley. We turn right into School Road,Chieveley and take the road around a big field, which we had driven on to our parking spot. Now under the M4, and a right turn to bring us into the opposite end of Winterbourne. (passing this lovely thatch cottage)
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Winterbourne just before we turn right up the hill to Snelsmore
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A beautiful day, which started off in thick mist. And not a breath of wind. Perfect.
