Sunday, mid December, and 11 degrees for most of the ride today. A few days ago it was just above freezing! We did see a few cyclists in shorts today, which seems ridiculous for December.
Route
We drove to the Pet Barn, with no route in mind, but since I have not been down Britwell Hill for a very long time, that seemed as good an idea as any. So, that meant climbing for the first 19 miles 😏. But it's ebike Sunday, so who cares! Most is very gradual of course, so we only used power occassinally, as we headed to Kidmore End, then along Wyfold Road, and passed the "bluebell woods" into Checkendon. (did use power on that hill).
The ride today is best described as MESSY. With rain yesterday, the potholes were all full to overflowing, so we picked our way through between them much of the time. From Checkenden, to Nuffield and Huntercombe End, then we continued straight on the main road, passing the turn to Christmas Common, for our left turn to Britwell. At the junction, a ROAD CLOSED AHEAD sign on the main road, which was not good, since that meant that cars would also be detouring and using our lane.😡
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| views to our left on Britwell Hill Road |
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| And just before we drop over the edge |
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damp roads. Did we miss a shower?
All bright ahead. |
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half way down, we spent a few minutes photographing.
The light was lovely just for a few minutes, then it was gone. |
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| Left of the same tree |
Several cars did come up and down, busier than usual. At the bottom, a left turn then we joined the B4009 for about half a mile, then a right turn to do a loop into Britwell Upperton. This keeps us off of the main road, but also its a very quiet lane. I have ridden it before but couldn't picture where it emerged, until we came to this junction.... and knew exactly where I was. Left here for Eweleme.
I had not eaten at The Cart Shed in Crowmarsh Gifford before, so we went there today. John been 4 times now. You can sit outside at the weekend, but only indoors during the week, since the offices complained about too much noise, midweek. But today, no one was sitting outside. It was busy mostly with families. Bike racks too, and all very safe. John had a cinnamon doughnut, and I had ginger cake. Yum.
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| Can't quite make it out.. Cart Shed |
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| A popular place on a Sunday morning |
The only way is up now, back to Sonning Common, and we opted for Ipsden, then Nuffield Hill.
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| A definite smell of manure in the air today around several of the Ipsden fields. 😑 |
Nuffield Hill was easy with power on, then its all downhill through Stoke Row back to Sonning Common on Kingwood Road. It started to rain, just light drizzle, but by the time we got back we were quite wet. Good to be out making the most of the weather while it lasts.
