5 of the WLCG were either on holiday or otherwise engaged today, so I suggested another "away day", with Andrea, myself and John (Dave busy today), setting off from Sonning Common. With a beautiful day forecast, the riverfront at Benson seemed like a good place to go.
This was a long skinny route, so not too far, but with a few climbs here and there.
Route
Heading from the Pet Barn, we crossed to Stoke Row Road, and took the left turn into Wyfold Lane, then right at the XRoads to Wyford Road. Soon our first climb, on Emmens Lane, aka "the bluebell road". Obviously no bluebells now, but I liked the light in the woods at the big hollow in the ground.
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| All very dark in the woods, except for the light in the hollow |
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| John and Andrea carry on up hill when I stopped to photograph the woods. |
Now past Checkendon Equestrian centre, where we stopped to chat to a couple of riders. I asked if the young foals were still around? They thought they were, but difficult to see through the hedging this time of year. No sooner had we left them, when we saw this rider with 3 horses. So, I stopped to chat to her. These horses were much smaller, and she explained that they are Polo Ponies. Since they have a lot more horses then riders, they take out 3 each, and rotate which ones they ride.
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| 3 Polo ponies, just beyond the equestrian centre. |
This road has no name, but joins Berins Hill, just beyond the Blue Tin left turn off. Berins Hill is the very steep descent to Well Place. Just before we dropped down, 6 more Polo Ponies came towards us. I can't believe they rode them up Berins Hill? Poor things if they did.
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| Busy, with boats parked up, but the other direction was a clear view of the river. |
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| Terrible picture, but as nice spot for coffee. |
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| A boat arriving from the lock. |
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We watched this barge arriving the opposite way, then it turned and was planning to
tie up against the moored boats. It is called ARGY BARGY.😂 |
Across the A4074 now, into Benson, where the roadside stream was running, despite the lack of rainfall for weeks. Then through Ewelme, and the start of our climb. At the top of Days Lane, this view on our right.
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| Views from Days Lane, above Ewelme. It was quite blowy here, being very exposed. |
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| Resting after the climb up Days Lane. |
So, that was just a little climb. The next part is more demanding. Dog legging over two main roads, we turned left into Nuffield Lane, which changes it's name to Brixton Hill, just passed the Oakley Court community. After the top of the first climb, at a farm on the right, it changes it's name again to Nuffield Hill. But whatever it's called.... it's uphill!
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Second place, with Andrea just cresting the hill.
(photo by John obviously, who was first up on his very light road bike.😄) |
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| A natural stopping point on Brixton Hill, where the road levels out for a bit. |
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Brixton Hill, a chance to catch our breath as it flattens out.
Just the bit called Nuffield Hill to go, past the church. |
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| View from a gate on Nuffield Hill |
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| They don't look amoooooosed.😁 |
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| And the gate opposite, looking in the direction of Swyncombe. |
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| Nuffield church. |
We are at the top! As as approach Stoke Row, John took the right fork heading back to Checkendon, to ride home via Kidmore End. Andrea and I continued into Stoke Row, turning right into Kingwood Road.
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| Kingwood Road, Stoke Row. |
Wheee. Top speed 26mph today, and only one car passed us all the way down to Sonning Common. Well done Andrea. Quite a bit of climbing today and you did it.
My bike had it's intermittent squeak back today, after a new bottom bracket was fitted a couple of days ago. So, on the way home, I dropped into Berkshire Cycles to ask them to take another look. The noise definitely coming from the back wheel. Fingers crossed they can fix it, cos it's really annoying. And I am convinced it is harder work on the hills.😉
