A late change of plan, with rain forecast in the Newbury area this morning. So instead we drove to Wargrave, and did a ride up and down ( and up some more!) in the Hambleden and Stonor Valleys. It was pretty busy with cyclists and walkers today, with the first weekend of our second lockdown in England. The mist didn't lift the whole time we were out, since there was not a breath of wind. Mild too, for November, at around 10 degrees.
We decided to include a couple of the hills which I always avoid going up. But Sunday is ebike day, so I had no excuse. Except that my knees definitely feel like they have climbed 2000 feet this morning.
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Recession in the trees behind the Barn Conversion, when we set off.
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The view through the gate approaching Crazies Hill
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A Q to cross the lock at Hambleden, as two large narrow boats come through.
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One of the boats was pulling a little rowing boat, which got filled with water and almost sunk! They also lost a couple of plastic bags which floated off, and ended up a good distance away. They tried to retrieve them with a long pole with a hook.. hopefully nothing important.
Passing through Hambleden, we took the Pheasants Hill road and across Bottom Lane. A gloomy view today.
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View from Bottom Lane Hambleden
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We continued up the valley road, turning left and through Turville where the Beech Woods were still looking lovely.
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Turville
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Turville
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The only way out of Turville is UP and we rode up Holloway Lane (aka the halfpipe!), and up to Northend. Even with power on , this is a serious hill. At the top, a brief stop to say hi to the cattle who are not normally there, then on to Turville Heath.
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Northend
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We drop down from Turville Heath into the Stonor Valley, with Stonor Park on the left. I've always done this the opposite way, infact did it just last week with friends. It's much more fun going down!
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| Dropping down from Turville Heath to Stonor |
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| Dropping down from Turville Heath to Stonor |
At the bottom, left into the Stonor Valley before we take first right up another climb to Maidensgrove and Russell's Water.
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oops. At Maidensgrove common.
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Walkers on Maidensgrove Common
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Puncture fixed (flint stone as usual), we are now heading for Nuffield, and where we also stop to sit in the Bus Shelter to have our snack bar. Passing through Stoke Row, we continue straight on to Highmoor Cross. I have only been here once before, a long time ago. Its a lovely long downhill, then it kicks back up again. We briefly join the B481, then into Rocky Lane, which takes us to NT Greys Court.
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Rocky Lane, Highmoor Cross. Very pretty lane.
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At the end of Rocky Lane, a slight climb, passing the main gates of Greys Court, then left into the woods to take us to Bix. Since we are aiming now for Henley, we drop down the first lane called Old Bix Road, which is a steep lane, with not a very good surface, emerging at Orchard Dene.
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Views into Stonor Valley from Old Bix Road. Still gloomy.
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| Nearing the bottom of Old Bix Road |
An easy run now into Henley, along Remenham Lane, and the inevitable climb from The Flower Pot to get us back up for our last few miles to where we parked. And as we climbed on board, it started to rain. Perfect timing!
