WLCG Sonning Common to Goring and Blue Tin - 23 miles

A few ladies were busy today, so the 4 who were free loaded into our van, and headed to start our ride at  Sonning Common, heading to Goring initially. We would have our coffee stop at Blue Tin Farm Shop, but cycling downhill to it, and not the usual uphill slog..... but we still had to get up the hill somehow! 

Route

Andrea, Jeanette, Louise and I left The Pet Barn, through Sonning Common village with the cheeky uphill when you had barely started the ride, then down the country lane to arrive a Kidmore End church. Plenty of tree cover and shade to keep us cool, although the temperature as we set off was around 20, so not yet too hot. 

Next to Wyford Lane, where today we turned left at the X Roads into the very dark tree tunnel. Time for my sunglasses to come off.

The dark leafy canopy from Wyfold Lane to Hook End

The very bright light behind as we turned into this leafy lane.

Passing through Exlade Street, we soon dog legged over the A4074, into Woodcote.

Horses trying to find shade in Greenmore Lane, Woodcote.

Now a dogleg to Pot Kiln Lane and we continue over the B471 to start our downhill run to Goring. I love this road, since you barely need to peddle for miles. 😊

Battle Road heading into Cleeve on the edge of Goring
and the Chestnut trees taking on autumnal shades already.

The cricket field at Goring is not very green! We need rain. 

Some very nice properties over look the cricket ground 

and just opposite. Not the tallest sunflowers, but maybe not yet finished growing.

The allotments next to the public loo in Goring with Sweet Peas, & blue Echinops
amongst many others.

Since Louise had not done this route before, we continued down to the lock.

This new house is to replace the old thatch which was burned down a couple of years ago.
I thought this looked enormous but looking for the old one online, it was also huge!

The builders are still there, but the Butler and Maid have already arrived. 😅

Goring Lock

Goring Lock

River level, so the usual problem, ie uphill now. Not difficult though as we backtracked through the village to pick up a short section of the Ridgeway. Someone whose driveway is part of the route has recently put down some new (and too much) gravel, but otherwise all very easy with the dry conditions of late. As we crossed the rail bridge, a quick stop to admire the open views from here.

Views looking back and the ridge above the Thames in the direction of Basildon Park

And the view forward to Ipsden

The round circle on the hill which stands out year round. 

We turned left, a few hundred yards on the main road, then right into the very potholed Grove Road to pass the farm and join Ickneild Road.

Grove Road views, the crops freshly cut and looking towards Pig City.

Ipsden views. We turned right today at the xroads to climb South Stoke Road.

I had only climbed South Stoke Road on my ebike before, and remember that I only used the green power, so it was interesting to try it today with no power. I had a feeling it was similar to "Flower Pot Hill", so about 5% gradient most of the time. It was fine, and we all managed, without the need for a stop. 

At the top, a left turn at the Xroads, then next right into Tidmore Lane, a new one for everyone, which misses out the main road through Woodcote, and joins it near the end, where we doglegged back over the A4074 and this time into Checkendon. 

Opposite Checkendon Church, pulling in for some traffic to pass.

Now around the Equestrian Centre and a couple of left turns, all downhill now to the Blue Tin.  The road here gets worse every time I come! Loads of shouting POT HOLE, GRAVEL, HORSE POO, CAR FRONT, SLOWING, STOPPING! What a row!

Here at last. It's 12.45 I think. A late cuppa tea!

Sponge with Raspberrys for me. Haggis Scotch Egg for Louise

Sausage Roll for Jeanette and Andrea.

I read on Facebook when I got home, that one of the regular customers
is handing in his Dahlias from his allotment. 

But the MOST exciting news, is that the portaloo has gone! Flushing toilets at last

Interesting outdoor sink for hand washing. 

Not at all busy when we arrived today, but we were a little later than usual. John
and Dave had been earlier on their ride and said it was very busy.

Just a few miles to get back, initially uphill to Stoke Row, then a big whizz all the way down through Rotherfield Peppard to the start. Not a long ride, but a few hills,  with 1300 feet of climbing which is quite enough as we finished in 26 degrees.