Ebike Sunday ride with John, starting at Upper Wargrave. Low to mid 20's today, finishing around 26degrees, but the wind picked up from about half way round, so it made for some extra effort peddling into it.... as is always the case!
With 3 cycling holidays in the past month, it's been 4 weeks since we rode our ebikes, They felt heavy to start with, but the advantage on the hills far out-ways the downside of the heavier weight. 😉So, throwing caution to the wind, who cares where we go, even if it's uphill.
Route
Setting off along Highfield Road, I spotted a view through a gate of the bales of straw, with some texture between the rows. We shot passed, and I made a note to return at the of the ride. And here are those photos.
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| The initial glimpse through the gate. It was the texture between the bales that caught my eye. |
Next, down to Aston, to cross the Thames at Hambleden Lock, where today there were loads of Geese on the weir.
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Quite a number of the geese were standing on leg. Why? I looked it up.
"the birds stand on one leg to conserve body heat. If they put two legs in the water, rather than one, they would lose more heat than is healthy, particularly as they spend so much time wading. The birds also likely alternate which leg they stand on to avoid one leg becoming too cold"
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| Nice to see a wooden boat, coming into the Marina at Hambleden. |
We rode through Hambleden Village, where the Hollyhocks are now pretty much finished, and climbed to the high road where the view today one of parched fields.
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| Just one bit of lush green green at the top of the hill which must have irrigation. |
All the way along the valley road, and then left to climb Dolesden Lane. No problem with power today.
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| From the bottom of Dolesden Lane, the view to Turville Windmill |
From the top, we continued to Turville Heath on the flat, then dropped down the big hill into Stonor Valley. Having dropped down, we immediately started to climb again, up to Russellls Water. The meadow here had been harvested, so just a wildlife strip left along the roadside.
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| Meadow cut beyond this grass strip at Russell's Water. |
At the juction at the end of the road, we turned left and split up, since it can be busy with traffic all the way into Nettlebed. We were heading for the Creamery, or Cheese Shed, so no other way to get there other than this stretch of main road. (B481)
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| John wearing a new top today. Peugot Man. |
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| Quite busy inside |
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| Cinnamon and orange pastry, and carrot cake.😋 |
Now back through Nettlebed, and right turn at the roundabout heading to Highmoor. This road fairly easy going, apart from the occassional bit of traffic, but no hill to worry about. We could have carried on to go down Rocky Lane to Greys Court, but we turned right to pass through Witheridge Hill, passing this cottage next to the pub.
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Passing the Rising Sun pub, we now drop down sharply, to a Tjunction...
then uphill into Stoke Row. |
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| The climb up to Stoke Row from Highmoor. Very nice under the tree shade |
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lol. This little scene with Sheep in Stoke Row changes with the season, and the news.
Currently its all about the Conservative leadership Battle The BAAA chart😂 |
From Stoke Row, a whizz downhill to Sonning Common, then further downhill on Devils Hill into Harpsden. Through Henley, and along Remenham Lane, back to Aston to face the climb back up... with power on, so no problem today.
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| Just weeds, but a colourful scene along Remenham Lane near Aston. |
Saving our legs for another 30 mile ride tomorrow, we both opted for plenty of power assistance in the last 5 miles. And why not?
