The forecast was OK for the morning, so we drove to Crazies Hill heading for a cuppa at Spire and Spoke in Watlington.
Our route took us heading to cross the Thames at Hambleden.
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| The path to the Thames at the Flower Pot frothing with Cow Parsley |
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Alpines on the church walls at Hambleden
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| Pretty orchard on the edge of Skirmett |
So far, all been easy, and now we climb Dolesden Lane to Turville Heath. I did this a few weeks ago on my gravel bike, and found it MUCH easier on my ebike.😀. We then popped into The Barn at T.H. to check on the latest tea/coffee situation. Its prebook only, and open a handful of days. It was too early on this ride anyway, at the 10 mile mark. Not ideal that you always have to book.
Now the last bit of climbing, for now, to Christmas Common to drop down Watlington Hill. A gap in the hedge was tempting for a photo of the view to our left near the top of the hill.
The shower passed over, and we set off from Watlington towards Cuxham. Its such a pretty village, so many photo opportunities.
Next through Brightwell Baldwin and Ewelme, and it started to rain again. As we got to the bottom of the hill to climb to Swyncombe the rain was biblical and the edges of the roads were like rivers! Not enjoyable, since it was also cold today. At the top, the rain stopped again, just as we passed some pretty Beech and bluebell woods.
At the top of the final climb, we turned left and soon right through Russells Water. More rain as we passed the pretty wildflower common, but too wet to get the camera out. Now down the big hill to emerge in the Stonor Valley. From here its downhill to Henley but I was having trouble keeping up with John, even with my power on. Finally realised I had a puncture. Pulled over at the pub in Middle Assendon, and the plan was that John would ride back to Crazies Hill to bring the van. After 5 mins he reappeared having changed his mind. Managed to fix it fairly quickly and off once more, heading to Henley.
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| Near the top of Hill Road. |
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| View of the Chalk Spire on Watlington Hill, from The Spire and Spoke |
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| Loads of extra outdoor seating now at Spire and Spoke Shame such a chilly and now miserable day. |
The shower passed over, and we set off from Watlington towards Cuxham. Its such a pretty village, so many photo opportunities.
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham. Old Rectory. |
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham |
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| Cuxham |
Next through Brightwell Baldwin and Ewelme, and it started to rain again. As we got to the bottom of the hill to climb to Swyncombe the rain was biblical and the edges of the roads were like rivers! Not enjoyable, since it was also cold today. At the top, the rain stopped again, just as we passed some pretty Beech and bluebell woods.
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| Church Lane Cookley Green, near Swyncombe |
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At the top of the final climb, we turned left and soon right through Russells Water. More rain as we passed the pretty wildflower common, but too wet to get the camera out. Now down the big hill to emerge in the Stonor Valley. From here its downhill to Henley but I was having trouble keeping up with John, even with my power on. Finally realised I had a puncture. Pulled over at the pub in Middle Assendon, and the plan was that John would ride back to Crazies Hill to bring the van. After 5 mins he reappeared having changed his mind. Managed to fix it fairly quickly and off once more, heading to Henley.
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| fixing my puncture in the rain at middle Assendon. |
Off we set, and once through Henley and into Remenham Lane, John announces that now HE has a puncture! Damn. I volunteer now to ride to Crazies Hill as fast as possible to come back and collect him. I get back and just about to call him, when I see his message to say its fixed and on his way. We liaise part way.
What a mixed ride. Lovely to start, then soaked, miserable, rain, puncture, all good, another puncture. Glad to home and have a hot bath.