A hot one today, but still 15 degrees less than it was in Bordeaux for my trip last week, as we started our ride, so I was feeling relativity cool😉. The full ride of 6 dwindled, as one lady cancelled yesterday, and unfortunately Gill had a mechanical at the start, so returned home. So we were 4.
Louise had noticed a puncture at 8o'clock this morning so arrived on her Brompton. I was a bit worried about how it would cope on the planned hills? Better than me as it turned out !!😂
Route
We met at Crazies Hill, with Amanda riding from home since she lives close by, and the rest of us drove.
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| Couldn't resist the first shot of the day, as these two ladies tried to get the Brompton "handbag" attached correctly. |
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An easy first couple of miles down to Hambleden Lock
and a boat just approaching the lock. |
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| Pots of red geraniums, and even a red cap for the Captain. |
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| Great reflections today at the Mill House. |
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We rode through Hambleden, where the Hollyhocks are mostly out
but may look even better over the next week or so. |
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| Fancy parasols in one house in the village. |
We continued through the village to take "the high road", amusingly called Bottom Lane, with the cheeky climb, but with nice views over the valley, before we rejoined the main valley road.
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| Views from Bottom Lane, Hambleden |
I had planned to climb Dudley Lane passing the vineyard. But since I know it's a climb I will
never manage, (Its listed in the top 15 most difficult climbs in The Chilterns), and since it was already hotting up, I changed the plan. Instead, we continued along the valley road passing though Skirmett.
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| This pretty cottage in Skirmmet always has a lovely garden. |
We turned left at the end of the valley road, and then first left into Dolesden Lane. This is a much more gradual climb to Southend, BUT it does go on a bit, and I have personally yet to manage it without stopping for a break. Today was no exception.
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| We need to get to the top of the right hand hill, to Southend. |
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| Part way up the easy bit of Dolesden Lane, views to Turville Windmill on the left side. |
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Louise on her Brompton, and Linda on her Ebike, manage to stay on.
Amanda and I take a short break. |
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| Looking back from almost the top...... |
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| .... but this last bit still to go. Back on. No problem. |
We then enjoyed the easy stretch, and plenty of shade, linking to North End, before starting our ascent into Turville down Holloway Lane. I suggested I go ahead a little to get an action shot of the ladies. Just as I pulled over to get my camera out, I heard a vehicle coming up the hill. This bloomin' great dust cart appeared around the corner. No space for me AND him where I was, so I had to run back up the hill to a tiny passing place, where I met the ladies on their way down. Timing! Sods law. 😕
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| Louise was laughing at me running back up the hill with my bike. |
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| Second attempt |
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| All downhill and all lovely shade. |
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| Approaching Turville on the flat. The light was beautiful. |
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Louise had not been to Turville before, so a few photos
and a short detour to the lane beside "Mr Toms House" |
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| Pretty cottage on the left, which a man came out of. His mother owns the house. |
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| And the house used for filming "Goodnight Mr Tom". |
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| A passer by kindly took this photo with the group and windmill behind us |
Passing the bottom of Dolesden Lane once more, but now continuing straight,we rode through Fingest, and took the right turn to Frieth. Louise had done this last Sunday as part of the Wargrave Bike Fest. As we arrive at the XRoads, a ROAD CLOSED sign, but a cyclist appeared from the closed section. He advised us to detour, since it was difficult to get through. But I knew the detour meant quite a bit more climbing, so was having none of it. Think the cyclist must have just been unlucky with his timing, since we had no trouble getting through, even though there was 3 lots of tarmacking going on. Good decision!
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| Photo stop at the valley view in Frieth. |
A lovely fast downhill now all the way to Marlow, passing through Bovingdon Green, and then wiggling through a few residential streets to our coffee stop, avoid the main street. It was 12.30, so whilst two ladies opted for toasted paninis, I couldn't resist this orange cake. It was all delicious. (Louise has such will power.... opting for a fruit salad, with an iced coffee.)
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I'd only been here once, in winter, when we sat indoors.
Lovely to have the tables in the shade outdoors today. |
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| The view from the cafe. Looks pretty hot out there now. |
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Sir Steve Redgrave, just outside the cafe.
Lots of people sitting in the park, having picnics, even a BBQ. |
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| A little walk along the footpath by the river, to get to the bridge. |
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These Hollyhocks must be on steroids!
WOW we all said, especially Linda 😂 |
Across the river, and almost back as we cut through to Temple and Hurley. Then just one final climb, but not difficult, on Rose Lane back to Crazies Hill.
Well done ladies, and thanks for your good company this morning. See you again soon.
