John had planned this route a couple of weeks ago, but it was just too cold. Today, it was about 2 or 3 degrees, so not exactly warm, but at least not frosty or icy. We drove to start the ride at Northend, and immediately starting our gradual climb to Christmas Common.
Route
Carrying straight on at the top of the big hill (left down to Spire and Spoke), we followed the road all the way over the M40 with nice country views to both sides, but all a bit grey today unfortunately. Then we did a short stretch on the A40, taking us through Stokenchurch. Not exactly scenic, but all very easy, heading downhill.
We took City Road from Stokenchurch, and then I began to recognise the route, but from the opposite direction. (Previous rides were via West Wycombe, and Bottom Lane beneath Bledrow Ridge). So I kind of knew what to expect now! A steep downhill, followed by a very steep uphill. Quick check that power is working!
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| About to drop down a steep hill from The City to Radnage |
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| Part way down, and Radnage church just about visible in the gloom. |
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| Looking in the direction of Bottom Lane, where we have ridden before |
At a Xroad, which is right to Bottom Lane, we go left then immediately right. Not a hill I have used before. John says he has been up it before many years ago on his road bike. Its 18% gradient at the steepest part, which last about a mile. But the climb goes on and on for 3 miles!
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| Getting there! Looking back down the hill called Holly Sprigs Lane, Radnage. |
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| Still uphill ahead, but thankfully levelling out. |
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| Views across to Bledlow Ridge |
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| Just because. |
At last we have a huge downhill into Chinnor, which passes a quarry on the hillside on our left. The downhill lasts all the way through Chinnor until we turn off left for Sydenham Lane. I thought I recognised this name, and sure enough we have been here before, but not the first part we come to.
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| Sydenham from the Chinnor end |
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| Sydenham |
In the village centre, I recognised the church, where previously we had approached from the opposite direction, but just a detour then we doubled back, as we were heading for Aston Rowant last time. NExt to the church, we revisited the lane a little way down, then turned back to continue straight on through the village to Postcombe.
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| Brookstone Lane, Sydenham. We turned back here, as the road is eventually a track. |
An easy lane from Sydenham to Postcombe, where at the T junction we turn right, then soon left on Salt Lane, heading to Adwell and Wheatfield.
Lovely quiet lanes, and eventually, we come to a juction with this church facing. We have also done this stretch in the opposite direction.
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| St Andews church, Wheatfield |
Soon a left turn, and passing a farm on our right, we continue, with a bit of a climb to turn left into Knightsbridge Lane all the way to Pyrton. (nice to do this downhill for a change!). We cut through on Pytron Lane to our tea stop at Spire and Spoke, Watlington.
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| Spire and Spoke. Apple and cinnamon cake, and Coffee Cake |
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| Busy today as it's lunch time by now, and people sitting inside on this chilly day. |
Familiar route now via Cuxham and Brightwell Baldwin to Ewelme. Feeling a bit lazy now, and with a ride tomorrow, I opted for a bit of power assistance much of the way to Ewelme, switching to
red to climb Swyncombe Hill. We popped to Swyncombe Church to check out the snowdrops, but they are 2 weeks away from their peak. Finally back to Christmas Common to drop down to Northend. Home for a very late lunch at almost 3pm.
