3 lucky WLCG members are on holiday this week, and Gill just back last night from Volcano watching in Iceland. So, just Gill and I today, and knowing how much she loves hills, I put a route together to try out our legs after a couple of weeks of almost no hills for either of us. My cycling this past week consisted of about 10 miles with grandchildren cycling to Dinton Pastures and also to Finchampstead. Gill needed to be back by 2ish, so I suggested we start / end our ride at Shiplake to get us away from our local loop.
Route
We initially headed downhill to Lower Shiplake, then looping around, we climbed back up, crossed the main road for the second time, and into Woodlands Avenue heading to Harpsden. Lovely tree canopies through the avenue, although quite cool at just about 15 degrees. (We would soon warm up). From Harpsden, our first proper climb on Gillot's Lane, towards Rotherfield Greys, then passing Grey's Court, a left into the next wooded section, to Bix.
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| Gill passing the extrance to Greys Court, and we turn next left. |
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| Jacket off now, as we come into Broadplatt |
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| Broadplatt Croft, with it's immaculate garden |
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| Back garden of Broadplatt Croft |
A few minutes later, as we rounded a bend, a Red Kite took off right in front of us, then landed again. Clearly injured, poor thing. At least it was at the side of the road now.
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| Injured Red Kite |
Crossing over the main Henley /Nettlebed Road, we keep left at Bix Church, and soon head down the VERY steep and VERY potholed road called Rectory Lane. Stopping close to the bottom to admire the views, this house on our left, Bix Hall. Very grand.
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| Bix Hall near the bottom of the hill |
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| Views opposite Bix Hall |
This is all new to Gill, so a short detour now, keeping left at the bottom to visit the Medieval Church at Bix Bottom. It's very well hidden with foliage at this time of year, and we walked through a foliage tunnel to find it.
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| St James Medieval church, Bix Bottom |
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| Back of the church is covered into wild Oregano |
Retracing the last mile, we continue downhill to join the Stonor Valley at Middle Assendon. From here, we could either continue all the way up the valley road through Pishill, OR turn left at Stonor, into Park Lane, to climb to Maidensgrove and Russell's Water. I was hoping the summer flower meadow would be looking good at Maidensgrove, so we took that option. It's a long slog, which ramps up towards the end. I had only ever ridden this hill on my normal bike once before. The very first time was on my ebike and I thought I would never get up this hill without power! But I did. (Had 2 stops last time). Today, just one breather, then we were off again, and made it to the top.
The next section is main road, but is fairly easy going, as we pass through Cookley Green and passed the Swyncombe road. Then back into country lanes, to Huntercombe End and where Gill mentioned that she once rode on a horse and cart ride many years ago. Through Nuffield, and then we followed the signs to Blue Tin shop to our right. I have only every approached Blue Tin from the Ipsden side, which is a tough climb, so approaching today from the opposite direction was a breeze! (although we had climbed other hills to get here😤.) We were very good and just shared a raspberry crumble cake.
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| Kingwood, Stoke Row Road |
Lovely to freewheel most of the next few miles, to Sonning Common, then just one climb to Binfield Heath, before we finish on a downhill into Memorial Avenue, Shiplake where we parked and a pleasant 21 degrees now. Back in good time for Gill too. Thanks for your company today. I am on Nannie duties again next week, back to a handful of miles with more little ones, so it was good to push ourselves a bit today.
