Checkendon Bluebell ride - 39 miles

on

 A late decision to ride today, since Jonathan staying a few days, and I wasn't quite sure if I was free. John and Jonathan did a short ride from Riseley, so I planned to meet up with Linda, Daphne, Gill and Lizzie. I've not been to the bluebells at Checkendon yet this year, so that was the plan. It would be quite a long ride, but mostly downhill on the second half...apart from the uphill bits.😂

I met Linda at Woosehill, Daphne at Cantley and Gill and Lizzie at Sandford Lane. (Linda did 44 miles, and Daphne 35) My Garmin battery died, but I did about 39. Since I did not record the ride, no data, but this the route I had planned. Route

Passing through Sonning, the Wisteria were looking gorgeous.


Then the climb we all love to Dunsden Green, and keeping left on Church Lane, we climbed gradually to Kidmore End. We road on Wyfold Lane today, and I took this photo at the intersection of Wyfold Lane and Wyfold Road. The Beech leaves have suddenly unfurled in the last few days.

Wyfold Intersection

Wyfold Lane, and the first proper signs of bluebell carpets,
the girls go ahead

Wyfold Lane

We turn left into Emmens Lane, which takes a bit of effort to climb to the place where the bluebells are always most dense. 
Emmens Lane, Checkendon

me, Linda, Daphne, Lizzie, Gill


We then turned back on ourselves, back to Wyfold, otherwise the ride would have been even longer, and thankfully before we had gone too far, I realised my glasses were missing, so we climbed the hill again to look for them.   Fortunately found them! Next stop for a breather was at the piggies. Always difficult to photograph with all the mud everywhere.

3 piggies amongs the mud

Arriving in Stoke Row, The Cherry Tree pub is just on our right, where we all enjoyed a cuppa. Thanks to Gill who bought the teas today. 

Cherry tree in blossom at The Cherry Tree

Stoke Row cross roads


Now under the fresh Beech canopy of Kingswood, all downhill to Rotherfield Peppard. This is normally a very fast downhill but today we were battling against a ridiculously strong wind. I screamed a few times as my tyres seemed to move from under me.  Passing the Pet Barn, we soon turn left dropping down Devils Hill.  The avenue of blossoms lining the public footpath,  looking lovely in Harpsden.

Harpsden

We continue through Harpsden, then stop at the old barn with the wood blocks on the side. I have stopped here before but some of the others hadn't.  Fascinating blockwork of intricate patterns. One of the old properties on site is connected to Printing, but I cant establish whether paper or perhaps fabric printing. 

The reason for coming through Harpsden today on our return, is to enjoy more Beech woods, which means climbing Woodlands Avenue. I was feeling weary by this time, and not convinced I would make it today. I did. A little recovery time, and soon we continued as far as the crossroads, where we turned right into the private drive and eventually the woodland path though the Binfield Heath. 

Bluebells amongst the woods as we ride through the bridal path 
from Harpsden Woods to Binfield Heath

Finally, to Dunsden and Sonning and back via Charvil, leaving Gill and Lizzie on Sandford Lane once more. 

Lovely to be out enjoying the freshness of spring, which passes all to quickly. Thanks ladies for joining me, and for making you work a little harder than normal.😏