Monday ride with John, Dave and Linda B. I fancied riding from Kintbury since not been there for a while, so used a familiar route, but with a couple of new loops. Sunny day, but a biting Easterly wind kept it cool at times.
Route
We all masked up, and went in our van, parking at the car park at Kintbury canal. Ideal parking spot, other than the fact that our route starts up hill. The first mile on Inkpen Road is quite steep, especially as no chance to warm the legs up, then it continues more gradually for the next couple of miles into Inkpen. Although just started, we stopped at Honesty cafe for a cuppa and snack since by now its almost 10.30.
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At least 3 of us are enjoying ourselves!
At Honesty Cafe Inkpen |
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| Leaving Inkpen |
We soon pass the pretty St Michael's church on our left heading downhill, and turn left heading for Ham.
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| Arriving in Ham |
We have previously gone left here towards Shalbourne, but today turn right and do a triangle on Cutting Hill, which joins the Ham Road.
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| Views from Cutting Hill |
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| same gap in the Hedge on Cutting Hill |
Passing through pretty Shalbourne, we have the horrible climb to get up and cross the main road, the A338. Its quite challenging, but I was pleased to have got up without as much pain as before on my new bike. Linda followed, but was struggling with a tight chest today, down to the cold wind, and maybe heyfever too.
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| Linda crossing the A338 after the climb out of Shalbourne |
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| catching our breath, before we set off now towards Wilton Windmill |
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| the rape fields in Wilton |
Passing the windmill, we drop downhill to a junction where we turn left, and I stop to look back....
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| Dropping down to Wilton |
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| waiting for the photographer before the hill down into Wilton |
Passing the Swan pub, and the pond, we follow the road on Grafton Lane, then through the pretty East Grafton, with more thatches, before a sharp right into Dark Lane towards Crofton. We hadnt seen John and Dave since the Windmill, and I had expected they might wait for us as cross the K&A canal, but they weren't there either. Linda and I chatted to a couple and the man was interested in our bikes (also a cyclist). He also explained that the 3 photographers waiting next to the railway were waiting for a "stone train" coming? A few minutes passed, and John and Dave appeared. (They had taken a wrong turning after the Swan at Wilton).
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| Right turn to Chisbury |
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| leaving the tree canopy behind, to the open views |
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| Cattle on my left |
Just past the cattle, a farm track and the road divides, and we turn left. John catches me up on this section, and we meet up with the others at this junction in Chisbury.
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| Chisbury |
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| Chisbury. We arrived from the lane behind this house. |
The next section on Chisbury Lane, turns on a right hand bend, and we stop to photograph this lone tree. (very sad!)
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| Lone tree near Chisbury |
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| Looking back to where we came from on Chisbury Lane |
And now a short distance, where we turn left at a Xroads, with Little Bedwyn church in site.
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Left turn here, as we head towards the A4
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at the junction with Little Bedwyn church
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We turn right on the A4, for just a couple of hundred yards, before turning left at the pretty Littlecote Road tudor building which is called The Duchess of Somerset Hospital. ( 50 homes for single ladies)
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| google image of Duchess of Somerset Hospital, Froxfield |
It's a climb from the A4 to Littlecote, but not a steep gradient. A bit like Aston Hill. I stop almost at the top to look back....
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| Looking back from the climb to Littlecote |
From the top our reward of a fast downhill section. 23mph, and then right and left into Chilton. (not done this loop before. A very grand house on our right, Chilton Lodge, and soon this enormous wall which is the vegetable garden of the estate. ( it has been used for BBC productions of The Victorian Kitchen Garden). Some interesting roof tops ahead...
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| Pepperpot rent cottages at Leverton, next to Chilton Estate |
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| A closer look shows they are semi detached. |
Almost at Hungerford Bridge, and Garmin takes us on a detour down passed and old Millhouse, and to the riverside. Interesting, and trout visible in the clear water.
Now across the bridge, and left at The Bear Hotel. Part way up Bridge Street (opposite Park Street) I had found a restaurant online, which is open Mondays, AND they have a courtyard, so we can take our bikes in.
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| Courtyard at Eliane |
Food was amazing sort of Moroccan flavours, and we almost got a free lunch which another guest paid for! We owned up of course.
Now a short climb up Park Street and over the cattle grid into Hungerford Park. The wind was very annoying here, since it's exposed but an easy ride now following Hungerford Road all the way back into Kintbury, dropping down the High Street, back to the Canal.
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| Kintbury Canal next to the car park. |
Well done team, and thanks for your good company. A bit stop/start at times with 3 photographers in the group, but with no deadlines who cares!
