It's half term, and with Lynne and Martina busy with family, I suggested that we "oldies", take the opportunity to drive to Bradfield to start our ride today, without the time pressure of getting back pre school time. (As it turned out, we were home by 2.30, but it just takes a puncture or an incident to make us late.) John was using our van, so am very grateful to Jeanette who attached her bike carrier so was a able to transport both of our bikes. Thank you!😇
On my last blog, I mentioned that it was a frightening time, and the world was holding it's breath. Vladimir Putin has been advancing military ware towards the The Ukraine, although had denied any plans of invasion. He lied. Sadly it did happen yesterday morning. Apart from the obvious tragedy for the people directly involved in the bombing and fighting, the whole of Europe, the NATO countries, and America is now effectively at war with Russia. The next few days/weeks could have a terrible effect on our freedoms and economy. Stock prices, airspace closed, Gas and Oil prices, and also the fact that The Ukraine is a massive supplier of grain for the food industry. The cost of living is going to affect everybody in the UK and Europe. It's heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend how this can be happening.
But back to cycling, and thankfully, we were able to switch off from the worry, and enjoy the beautiful sunshine this morning cycling in an area less familiar, or new to the ladies who joined me today. (I forgot to record the ride, so no miles on my history, but this was our route.
Route
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| Meeting in Dark Lane, Bradfield, we managed to harass a van driver enough for him to move out of "our" layby,so that we could all fit.😂 |
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| A mile or so from the start, and we spotted all the wool on the fence next to these daffs. |
We did a short detour into Stanford Dingley, and out again. Such a pretty church and village, seemed a shame for those new to the area to miss it.
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| Stanford Dingley church, with a lovely snowdrop display. |
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| Stanford Dingley church |
All easy going for the first few miles, other than a couple of inclines, and passing the equestrian centre, we arrived to cross Bucklebury Ford.
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| Bucklebury Ford |
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| A short climb up to Marlston, with its impressive school |
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| Marlston School |
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| The church in the school grounds. |
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| The open views opposite Marlston Church entrance. |
A bit of downhill leaving Marston, then a sharp right turn, almost back on ourselves, into Wellhouse Lane, and the climb continues to Frilsham, where we turn left, and soon come to this church on our left.
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| Frideswide is a legendary figure with a strong legacy in and around Oxford. From church leader to miracle worker, Frideswide even inspired the foundation of Christ Church College and its Cathedral. Oxford is her legacy, and we continue to celebrate her, as patron saint of the city and the university. Oxfordshire Day, also known as St Frideswide’s Day, commemorates her death on the 19th October every year. |
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| Another lovely snowdrop display at Frilsham church |
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At Frilsham church, where we will now climb, starting at the lane on the right.
It's quite challenging as it is a mile to the top, so goes on a bit! |
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| I stopped part way up at an open gate, to get the view looking back to Frilsham..... |
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| ....Whilst the others kept going, and just around the corner it gets steeper. |
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| Looking back down Hatches Lane, and now it changes name to Coach Hill. |
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Top of Coach Hill, where we turn left to Yattendon passing through the old woods of Frilsham.
(At the end of the woods the Pot Kiln pub to the right.)
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Over the M4, then right into Yattendon on Church Lane, arriving with another lovely church ahead of us... but can't keep stopping! Through Yattendon, passing the teashop on our left, then we bear right and a gradual downhill now on Yattendon Road, eventually coming to the lane below, which is where the red poppies have previously been grown on a huge scale. They are a spectacular site, so hope they grow them again this year. (were not there last year.)
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The lane with no name leaving Hampstead Norreys.
It takes us over an old railway line, then through a farmyard, and climbs following
the hedge line in the left distance. |
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| Me and Louise up first, followed by Gill. |
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| And Jeanette just behind Gill. Well done team. |
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| Top of the hill with no name, and the view to the right. |
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| Catching their breath, then we're off again. |
Flat for a section through a wooded area, then right at a junction with a BIG downhill to the junction of the B4009, with a thatched pub facing us at the junction, called The Four Points. A sharp left turn here, and we climbed once more, this time to pull over at Aldworth Church.
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| Arriving at Aldworth Church, part way up the hill to Aldworth. |
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| We parked out bikes at the back of the church, then a look inside. |
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The light inside was beautiful today.
"There are nine of these effigies, so tall in scale as to be known as the “Aldworth Giants”, which are unique in the country in that they represent so many of an ancient family in so small a parish." |
The Old Bell, had several people sitting outside having a drink in the sunshine.... which makes me think... why didn't we do that? Anyway, we rode past, then straight over at the Xroads, and soon a left fork into a country lane with no name, and about 3 miles long. We didn't see a single car. I couldn't remember anything significant about this part of the ride, so took a photo of this house, just to jog my memory for next time.
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The lane with no name, off Reading Road, Aldworth.
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A mile or so of flat, then a very steep hill (down!) to aV shaped junction, called Hook End Lane.
(Looking at the map now, I see that if we had turned left at this V-junction, we would soon have come to the A329 near the Thames at Lower Basildon, at Basildon Park entrance. )
As we stopped to see the chickens, a Tesco Van and 3 cars passed us. My route was to take a right fork just a bit further up the oncoming hill, since it's a slightly easier climb to Aldworth Road, than going left at the fork. As we approached the fork, we could see the Tesco van stuck going up the hill with the cars all behind him, since a lorry was also coming down the hill. Someone was going to have to give way, and reverse. Meantime, we shot up the right hand fork, and got ahead of them. 😂
In Upper Basildon, a right turn into Gardeners Lane, enjoying a downhill now, and straight over at a small XRoads. We spotted a large impressive building to our left, which was Pangbourne College, and very soon we turned right at another XRoads into Dark Lane. I told the ladies to go hell for leather down the hill to go under the M4 this time, since we needed to climb up again. But with plenty of momentum, its not a big hill and then we almost freewheeled back to the cars.
Not the longest ride we have done by any means but more climbing than usual. A lovely morning out. Thankyou all for your good company.
