A gorgeous ride today, with glorious blue skies, for a challenging Breeze Ride starting at Sonning Common. Pity about the pesky wind, which got more troublesome as the day progressed, but it didn't spoil our ride, since the temperature today was a balmy 10 degrees.
route link here
We arrived in 4 cars, and set off following the route I used last month to Swyncombe to enjoy the snowdrops. (I had thought of changing the first part of the route, but since no one remembers it anyway, seemed a waste of time. 😉). There were still plenty of roadside snowdrops to admire on our route today, but they have definitely peaked now, and time for the daffodils.
So, arriving at Kidmore End church, we turned right, then straight over into Wyfold Road to start our gradual 13 mile climb to Christmas Common. The steepest bit is a left turn off of Wyfold Road to get to Checkendon, but otherwise it's not difficult. Arriving in Nuffield, there was some very skillful hedge layering on our left. No one working on it, but clearly still got some work to do.
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| Layered hedging as we arrive in Nuffield. |
Following the road and passing Huntercombe Golf course, we doglegged across the main road, into the winding Huntercombe End Lane. It's a narrow wiggly road, best ridden in single file, and we did stop once to pull over to allow a vehicle past, so took the chance for a photo.
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Huntercombe End Lane.
Linda, Barbara, Sue, Louise and Amanda. |
Then a couple of miles on the busier B481 (Nettlebed to Watlington) road. We split into two groups for this part, regrouping at Cookley Green (where last time we dropped downhill to Swyncombe). Today, we continued further taking the right turn to Christmas Common. (My hubby who had got a lift with us, went next left at this point, and shot down Britwell Hill).
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| One of the ladies went for a walk in the woods at Christmas Common😉 |
We are at the top! Most didn't know this area, so I pointed out the NT car park just before we drop down the hill. This photo of views to the left.
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| Photo taken by John, before he left ahead of us. |
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| It doesn't always have to be cake! |
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| Ready to go. |
We rode around a bit of the one way system, and soon turned right into Pyrton Lane, and arrived into the very pretty village, stopping at the church. This was the highlight of today's ride and with the weather in our favour, it did not disappoint. It was stunning.
(I had been at this time last year so was hopeful)
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| Views from the top of the climb on Knightsbridge Lane, leaving Pyrton. A cheeky one. |
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| Amanda catching us up. |
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| The view behind to the M40 cut through the hill |
At the junction, a left turn, and we are very exposed to the wind here, which was really blowing now. But a lovely road, on a ridge with views on our left back to Watlington Hill, and views to our right towards Stadhampton. All flat then a fast downhill to the junction where we turned left, to skirt the edge of Cuxham. (We had just done a loop from Watlington to take in Pyrton, but had we not done that loop, then Cuxham would have been the first village we would have passed through. So, today we miss Cuxham, but soon pass through the pretty Brightwell Baldwin. No photos of that today.
The road undulates a little now, and fighting into the wind, we cross the B4009 then a fast downhill into the end of Ewelme Village, keeping left of the watercress beds. We could smell a smoky smell in the air, but also then see a very badly damaged thatch cottage in the main street through Ewelme. How sad.I googled this, and read that it happened 10 days ago, with 10 fire brigades attending. The home owners were on holiday. More here if interested.
Henley Standard on Ewelme Fire
We left the village turning right into Days Lane, up the hill opposite the school and church. A breather at the top of this climb has the benefit of this amazing view of the school and church village. (Oldest school in the country)
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| View of Ewelme looking back from the top of Days Lane. |
For the next section, we undulate a little, but pretty easy going, passing the local tip, hidden behind trees (or at least smelling it). A dogleg across two main roads, then left into Nuffield Lane, which changes it names sneekily to Brixton Hill. It's a tough climb, which I have never managed in one go, but with a little breather where it levels out, we all managed up in two stages. It changes it's name once more near the top to Nuffield Hill, passing the church on our right at the top, and where the Ridgeway crosses.
Right ladies. We are at the top! We now backtrack a little of the outward route, where we joined this road this morning, but this time, continue straight (and not to Checkendon), instead passing through Stoke Row. Then the long whizz down Kingwood Road, passing through Rotherfield Peppard, and to Sonning Common. We doglegged over to The Pet Barn, and returned to our cars passing the pond, and then uphill a little on Wood Lane back to Kennylands Road. It was 2oclock. (Hubby says he passed here at 1.35, and cycled home).
Well done ladies. A challenging route at times, but as always, plenty of downhill too. (top speed was 27mph). I think you all agreed it was well worth it. A great morning out, and thanks for your good company.
(hubby arrived home 2 mins behind us)
