Four of the WLCG were either resting up on sick leave, or busy Christmas shopping today, so Gill and I went out together. The forecast had been for rain, which is why Martina and I rode yesterday, so today was a bonus. (My third ride in 3 days). We fancied a ride to Hambleden, so met at Nelsons Lane, Hurst which is a more convenient rendezvous point for Gill. Another grey day, but milder than it's been recently.
I had mapped out a couple of routes taking us beyond Hambleden, but they all seemed to working out over 45 miles, so in the end opted for the most direct route to get to Crazies Hill and down Aston Lane to cross the Thames. Then the best route home, with the least worst hills, returning over Sonning bridge.
My hubby John, due to a post office visit first thing, was not able to leave for his solo ride today until after I had gone, but low and behold by the time Gill and I got to Upper Wargrave......
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| How annoying! I could have had a lift for the first 9 miles!! |
I was feeling rather too warm by this time, so peeled off a layer and left it in our van. John went off on his ride just ahead of us, but we soon passed him since he stopped for a coffee a mile further on at Crazies Hill. Pathetic.😆
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| Misty views as we approach the Thames at Aston |
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| crossing at Hambleden Lock |
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| Always enjoy this little boat house reflecting in the river |
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St. Bartholomew's Church Fingest. TODAY |
Now a climb to Frieth, but its gradual.
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| Gradual climb to Frieth crossroads |
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| Visibility pretty rubbish at the top as we turn right into Moor End Lane, and poor road conditions too. We had to go through a couple of floods. |
A dogleg at the next crossroad, and the landscape changes to the vast open farmland. The yellowish leaves were the tops of what we thought might be beetroot? They roots crops were red anyway.
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| Chislebridge Lane |
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| We are heading for the hedgeline top right. The lane drops down, then kicks up pretty steeply before our right turn. |
After all our climbing, a long drop down into Hambleden, where mince pies and lemon cake await at the The Post Office. 😋 No seats, (covid), but the time passes as we chat to two brothers who are out for a local walk with their shaggy Spaniel, and we rave about our gravel bikes. They are considering changing from road bikes.
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| Hambleden Post Office |
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| They all fly off of course as we ride through slowly |
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| Sky is clearing. Hurray! |
Once across the weir (and through that silly gate which is locked and therefore we have to squeeze through a pedestrian gate with a HUGE puddle and get our feet wet!) we ride along Remenham Lane, to Henley and since the lights are on red, a photo as we wait on the bridge.
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| From the bridge in Henley. Any sign of sun disappeared again. |
A quick loo stop, then as we climb out of Henley towards Harpsden, it starts to rain.... pretty heavily. I pull over at this open gate to put my rain jacket on. The gates are normally closed, so nice to get a nosey inside. I have looked up this property online. It's called Harpsden Court, and originated in 1204. It 's been used for a James Bond film, as well as Mid Sommer Murders and others, and was recently for sale for almost £5 million. Harpsden Court information
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| Harpsden Court. White vans on site, so presume work... or film crew? |
So it's now chucking it down, and we need to climb up Woodland Avenue to drop us into Lower Shiplake then after a loop in Shiplake, a climb back up again the get to Binfield Heath. This route avoids the steep(er) climbs out of Harpsden, which we are saving for another day. I have climbed Devil's Hill a few times, but never Chalk Hill . (Gill please tell your hubby!) And never plan to either! Happy to come down it through.
It rained for several miles and it's pretty miserable, but thankfully not cold. From Binfield Heath all easy and downhill to cross the Thames at Sonning. We return via Woodley and I say goodbye to Gill at her house on Sandford Lane.
I got a badge on my Garmin today for "longest ride". Having ridden 105 miles on my new bike this week, I am very happy with it. Phew.