I rode with Cathy today, and for a change of route, we parked at Shiplake Memorial Hall. This allowed us to miss out the repetitive jaunt over Sonning Bridge and up to Dunsden, and meant that we could venture a bit further.
As I got my bike out of the van, I noticed some "bits" of shoe cleats on the ground. I thought how funny that someone had lost their shoe cleat right where I had parked. Then of course realised it was mine.... minus a screw. I checked all around then went back into the van to get my helmet etc and spotted the missing screw on the mat. Thanks to my handy tool, I managed to fix it whilst waiting for Cathy. After waiting a few minutes longer, I decided to check the other side of the car park, only the find that she was waiting for me.😂 She had got their first, but not seen me arrive. How daft.
Route
A while ago, Cathy and I had climbed from Harpsden on Woodlands Avenue (a bit of a slog) and then dropped down to Shiplake, so today we did it in reverse. Still a hill, but so much easier! Then of course we enjoyed the downhill bit into Harpsden.
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| The final bit around the bend as it drops steeply into Harpsden |
In Harpsden, we turn left passing the golf course, and then take the right turn to Rotherfield Greys climbing up passed Gillotts School, then ride flat for a while before a right turn to drop initially downhill to the road at the bottom of Greys Court. There is an option to go left at a fork (Rocky Lane), which Cathy almost took before I corrected her, but by then she lost her momentum. She soon caught me up near the entrance to Greys Court as I waited.
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| Cathy on the climb towards Greys court..... |
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| .... Keep it going! Left turn coming up soon. |
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| not far after our left turn, a beautiful display AND scent |
Now passing Bix Manor, we cross the main road to Bix village. We have a very steep descent now, which Cathy did not like much, but it had some amazing views as it nears the bottom.
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| Views from Rectory Lane, Bix |
That's most of the climbing done for today, as we head for Nuffield and to Stoke Row for a cuppa. The Cherry Tree was not officially open, but they let us use the loo, then got a cuppa and cake from Stoke Row Stores and sat on the bench in the sun. (I learned later that John and Dave also sat on that bench today!) We dropped down passed the piggies on Busgrove Lane and a left at Wyfold Crossroads back to Sonning Common, passing The Pet Barn, and straight on all the way to Binfield Heath. It was a bit weird not turning right at Binfield Heath to drop down to Dunsden, but instead continued straight to bring us into Shiplake, and back to the car park. Nice to end on a big downhill.
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| Crop field at Shiplake near the car park |
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The Memorial Hall car park. I was parked at the other side of this tower
which is why Cathy could not see me at the start. |
Thanks for joining me Cathy and well done on those pesky hills. Worth the effort for some lovely views today and the downhill bits too.
