Breeze - Sonning Common to Christmas Common - 35 miles (2000ft)

With my regular Monday buddies both on holiday, I advertised an extra Breeze Ride today. I particularly wanted to offer a ride to take in the stunning Beech Woods of the Chilterns, at their peak atm.   It was a 35 miler, and only two signed up to join me, which was fine with me, and we had a fabulous day out.  Thanks to Rose and Angela for joining me. Incidentally, I climbed on a ride yesterday to Watership Down from Wash Water, (river level)  and used my ebike. Yesterday's total elevation was 1600feet.  Today's ride was 2000ft ...and we used normal bikes. Well done ladies! What a long way you have come. 

Route

So, when is a hill not a hill? 

It was a foggy morning, with no prospect of the sun breaking through for several hours. We met at Sonning Common at 9.45, and initially set off down Devil's Hill to drop down into the Harpsden Valley. We immediately began to enjoy the Beech Woods. The muted colours with the mist made it really magical today. 

Dropping down Devil's Hill into 'Harpsden Valley

The first few miles were really easy through the valley road, then we took the left turn to climb steeply up Gillott's Hill. Our first warm up. How many hills are there, asked Rose. Oh, about three I said. 😉.

The route then flattened out for a couple of miles, passing through Rotherfield Greys and to the right hand turn to take us passed NT Greys Court.

 

Our right turn here to drop down, then climb up passing NT Greys Court.

Just passed Greys Court, a left turn into an unnamed lane to the hamlet of  Broadplatt, where the colours were stunning. We faffed for a few minutes all taking photos. 

Broadplatt Woods near Bix.

Time to remove a few garments. It's mild! 14degrees.

Broadplatt woods.

Loved the golden grasses here too. 

Angela. 

As we emerge from the woodland canopy, it looked really foggy again, as we ride to pass
Bix Manor house. (A Sarah Raven van there today, presumably delivering plants)

Across the main A4130 Henley Road, and into Bix Village. We passed some people out walking their horse, then dropped down steeply on the lane which has a terrible surface, and spread out and picked our way down. No views on the way down today, thanks to the fog.

Anne and Roses' bottoms at Bix Bottom 😂 (photo by Angela)
I then spotted the horses on the hill.

We were observed! At Bix Bottom

A left turn at the bottom in Middle Assendon, to start our gradual climb of the Stonor Valley. It was also looking pretty in the fog.

Stonor Valley

Cropped version. I loved the curved tree line. 

Waiting for the photographer. Stonor Valley.

We turned right immediately passed Stonor Manor, for our next climb on Balham's Lane up to Turville Heath. I have always stopped for a breather on this lane before, but kept going today since the others said they were happy to keep going.  I was slightly ahead, and just before the narrowest and steepest point, a tractor came towards me. Damn.   I pulled into a slightly wider spot, and as the tractor passed, Rose and Angela timed it just right, so that they could keep going without stopping. 

Breath in! On Balham Lane, heading up to Turville Heath. 

A well deserved breather at the top.

This avenue at Turville Heath always looks impressive. 

And now the more gradual climb to North End, where we continued following the road to the left, to continue to or highest point at Christmas Common. At the top, we could  now enjoy the BIG downhill on Watlington Hill, to stop at The Spire and Spoke for tea. 

Misty views today from Watlington Hill.

Spire and Spoke. We had the place mostly to ourselves today, but there
was a funeral party using the tepee. 

Two of us had a huge piece of Carrot Cake, and Chocolate Brownie, which the third person helped us eat. Too big, but delicious. It was actually 12.30, so this was lunch! 😛

All very flat now for several miles as we left Watlington, to ride through the pretty villages of Cuxham, Brightwell Baldwin and into Ewelme. Our next climb was out of Eweleme but this one didn't count towards the "3". 😏

At the top of Days Lane, looking back to Ewelme, 

It was almost brightening up! As we doglegged over the two main road to join Nuffield Hill, we had a quick stop to photograph the blue sky! 

almost a blue sky , just before we climb Nuffield Hill. 

But across the road, its not so blue in the direction of Nuffield. 

Nuffield is the final "official" climb today. It's a two stage hill, the first part the steepest, and worth stopping as it levels out to have a peak through the farmers gate. 

Well done Rose. Nuffield Hill part on ticked off. 

A peak though the farmers gate half way up Nuffield Hill.
Beautiful undulations. 

Across the road from the gate, this little copse is always interesting too. 

Last leg of Nuffield Hill, before it ramps up again. 
(photo by Angela)

Always a relief to reach the Church at the top in Nuffield, and now it flattens out. 

I had promised them the remainder of the ride is all downhill. (pretty much). Rose said that she had never ridden 35 miles before, but was so glad that she had come along, since apart from a few hills, the rest has been pretty easy. 

As we headed into Stoke Row, a group of deer dashed across the road. I think 4 or 5. I've seen them here before, but always a treat to see these wild animals.  We turned right in Stoke Row to drop down through our final Beech woods of the ride on Busgrove Lane. The light wasn't so good here today, but it can be stunning. 

Busgrove Lane, near Stoke Row. 

At the the Wyfold X Roads, we did a right turn to take a look at the tree canopy here, which is often one of the best. It was also stunning. 

Almost back, at Wyfold X Roads. 

Happy ladies. 

We finished the ride on Wyfold Lane into Rotherfield Peppard, and dropped down into Sonning Common. There were a few more undulations, and we all finished the ride without ever getting off on the hills. Well done ladies! I think missing tonight's tennis match was a good call Rose! Have a lie down.  See you again soon.