Linda and I got a lift to the Pet Barn with John and Dave, then parted company with them, as they headed to cross the Thames at Whitchurch. Linda and I peddled towards Peppard, turning left at The Unicorn Pub into Wyfold Lane.
We were both feeling a bit chilly, and soon saw WHY! Frost on the fields to our right. First this year.
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| Frosts at Wyfold Lane |
At the crossroads, a right turn into Wyfold Road, continuing straight into Busgrove Lane. At the piggies, I noticed this fungus all the way up the tree trunks. Never seen that before. Weird.
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| Sorry, not in focus. Fungi on Busgrove Lane |
A wee bit of effort up to Stoke Row soon warmed us up, then a right turn, and we cooled off again, as we shot downhill on the fast bendy road beneath the tree canopy, then up a hill again to Highmoor Cross, where we turned right.
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| Junction at Highmoor Cross. Chestnut Tree looking rather brown. |
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| We turned left into Rocky Lane, with views across to Grey's Court Land. |
Another climb passing Grey's Court on our left, then left into an unnamed road, but which passes Bix Manor. A dog leg across the A4130 Henley Road, and into lanes again, keeping Bix Church on our right, and down the very steep, and potholed Rectory Lane.
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| Views part way down Rectory Lane. A grey day. |
At the bottom a very sharp right bend, to emerge in the Stonor Valley Road to Lower Assendon. All downhill now into Henley on the shared cycle path. A wiggle through town, as we headed for The Rowing Museum Cafe. (first visit)
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| My enormous shortbread, with Linda's tiny chocolate pumpkin. |
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| A good choice of cafe stop, bikes in full view outside. |
We are able once more to ride on the riverside path. It was closed for cyclists during lockdown when too many walkers AND cyclists just got in each others way, but life is almost back to normal from the exercise point of view.
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| Trees on the turn on the opposite bank |
Into Harpsden, and up Woodlands Avenue. That's always guaranteed to warm you up! Didnt seem too bad today, and Linda who hates hills, did really well, even talking on the way up. I was saving my breath.😅. The beech trees are still all green, although plenty of brown ferns as undergrowth. Will be lovely in a few weeks time.
We turned right into the "Private Drive", and followed the concrete track, which turns into a dirt track eventually. I was curious to see how bad it was. With rain forecast, was keen to shorten the route a little rather than drop down to Shiplake and up again. It was fine, mostly.
Linda was bit lost at times, but soon recognised the junction as we came into Binfield Heath, passing the village shop, and then to Dundsen Green, and through Sonning.
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| Eeeek. He took a few minutes to turn it around, and we patiently waited to turn right into Beggars Hill Road, Woodley. |
It was just starting to rain, bang on cue, as we shot down Sandford Lane, but thankfully it didn't get any heavier fiving us both enough time to make it home reasonably dry. Well done Linda. I know you are not a fan of the hills, at least not the ones that go up the way.