Henley via Crazies Hill - 33 miles

on

Monday ride today with Linda and Daphne. The 3 of us have not been out together for a few weeks due to holidays. Daphne picked up Linda, and we started from my house. No planned route, but we used the cycle paths on Toutley Road, and newly opened link from Bell Foundry Lane, which now misses out the horrible link on Warren House Road. The new road is called Dalley Road, and we continued across the roundabout into Diamond Jubilee Way, where at the top, we joined the Binfield Road. There was two incidents where from the side roads which join the new roads, we had to screech to a half, since motorist were NOT expecting cyclist to cross! SO, beware in future.

Route

I used my ROAD bike today for the first time in months, since John spent ages cleaning my Gravel bike yesterday. (It got filthy on the last 2 days of puddles on our Yorkshire trip, and now it's all ready for my Suffolk holiday on Wednesday.😉)

I was a bit worried about riding on Monks Alley into Binfield on my skinny tyres but it was fine and dry.  We dropped down passed the Jack o' Newbury, then left to climb up again, and continued on the main road to Shurlock Row. Straight on, all the way to Waltham St Lawrence, then to Hare Hatch to cross the  A4. We climbed into Crazies Hill. where we pulled over for a drink opposite the village hall.

10.55 as we pass through Crazies Hill

Pear Tree Cottage, opposite the village hall.

Dropping down to the Flower Pot at Aston, we soon saw signs of the Regatta car parking, tents etc. It has now finished, so lots of trucks coming and going to collect stuff. Daphne requested a stop to look in side Remenham Church too.
3 vehicles arriving at the gate on the riverside. 

Glamping? Or just tents?

Remenham church was very dark inside. 

Loads of traffic queuing to cross, so we walked it today. Well 2 of us did. 

A strange sight on the bridge, from the Chocolate Cafe.😅

I had originally suggested we pass through Henley and have our cuppa at Bottle and Glass with all the climbing done, but it was a pleasant day, so the riverside seemed a good option, so we stopped there. Then through Harpsden, and left to climb Woodland Avenue. I ran out of gears very quickly, but we all made it to the top. Then through the private drive to Harpsden Woods and emerged near the Bottle and Glass. Daphne not been through the woodland section before she thought. 

passing the Bottle and Glass.

Downhill to Sonning, then we opted to return via Woodley. Made it without getting lost! Down Sandford Lane then into Hurst Lanes. At Reading Road, since they had both not yet been on the other newly opened road with cycle lanes, we returned that way to Emmbrook, crossing at a set of traffic lights, and through this gate onto a good track. This new section of Road doesn't seem to have a name.

pathway to Emmbrook School

Ideal weather today for cycling, and apart from Woodlands Avenue. no big challenges. Thanks for your good company ladies.