Another 2x2 ride today of WLCG, and a chilly start of just about 2 degrees but with a north easterly wind. Thermal vest back on and silk glove liners too. Had hoped we had passed that stage, but not yet it seems.
I planned today's route, climbing to Stoke Row. But whereas I always return via Sonning Common or maybe Harpsden, today was a bit different.
We met Gill at her front door, and headed off crossing Sonning bridge and up to Dunsden Green. I think that climb is finally getting easier, but at the top, a brief stop to remove a layer of head gear. Next at Emmer Green crossroads, we headed left to repeat a route we did just recently (minus Lynne), to pass Reading Golf Club. A nice downhill, before it climbs again to Chalkhouse Green. Then it's easy all the way to Kidmore End, arriving with the church on our left.
Today's route took us straight on from this junction, all the way up Wyfold Road, which becomes Busgrove Lane as it gets a bit steeper, as we approach Stoke Row passing the piggies (no piggies there today).
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| Lynne and Martina as we arrive in Stoke Row . A grey day and I can't wait for fresh spring shoots |
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| The view on Busgrove Lane, opposite the pig farm |
We stopped at Stoke Row Stores for a cuppa, and carried our drinks to the Maharajah's Well. Gill had kindly brought some of her home made Beetroot Chocolate Brownies for us to share. Amusingly, she doesn't like Beetroot, so is trying to disguise the flavour! Seemed to work😋😋😋
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| Nothing left of those delicious brownies. Thanks Gill. |
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| Selfie at Maharajah's Well |
We have now done "part one" of the main climbing, so the next stretch to Checkendon is pretty easy, as we include a loop down Deer's Lane, then Quiet Lane to Exlade Street, passing my friend Debi's house. Too cold to stop for a chat today, having already chilled off at Stoke Row! Then straight over the A4074, and downhill to Goring Heath, getting up a good speed at times. (We used part of this road last week in the opposite direction on our trip to Whitchurch and Pangbourne)
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| Gloomy day, but I liked the mottled sky. This field at eye level as we approach the junction which turns off to Maple Durham. |
Next we cross back over the A4074, and drop DOWN Mill Lane, which I had never done before in this direction. It's a horrible steep road the other way, and full of pot holes, so surely not so bad going this way? It wasnt, but it did have two uphill sections which required a fair bit of effort.
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| Just ahead will be Gravel Hill, which skirts the edge of this open space dropping down pretty rapidly. |
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| Back up to the top at the other side of Gravel Hill, looking to where I took the last photo. Lynne coming up the hill behind me. It was hard work. But no one walked. Well done! |
From here, we cut through Caversham, passing Caversham Park, the beautiful estate owned by the BBC, but been for sale for at least 2 years. I was there once to chat on BBC Berkshire with Bill Buckley. Needed a pass to get in the place. It's all very top secret.
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| Image from google. Caversham Park. Was once the Oratory School then owned by BBC for some years as a monitoring station. |
In summer, it's almost hidden by foliage, and a lot of people don't know it's there. But it's had an interesting history, and as the BBC monitoring station was the first place to hear news of the Nazi surrender. (My hubby also told me that satellite dishes are at the top of Devils Hill at Harpsden, where we sometimes cycle past. A bit more information on this link.Henley Standard on Caversham Park
We emerge near the traffic lights on the Henley Road, and make our back through Sonning.
Well done ladies, and hope you enjoyed the new bits of today's route. Shame the sun didn't appear for long. Enjoy the weekend, and getting those kids back to school on Monday! Freedom..... well not to do very much, but at least no homeschooling to worry about.