Sue P joined me today, which meant I was able to add a couple more places for riders, so we were 10 in total. I am delighted that this challenging ride attracted so many ladies! Quite of few of us, me included, have not done too many rides over the last few weeks, with weather, Christmas and injuries, so our fitness would be put to the test.😉
All very familiar on our first part of the ride leaving Woosehill, and making our way to climb over the motorways to Hurst. We split into two groups a few times today, as necessary, on the main roads but the majority of the minor roads were very quiet.
We continued around the back lanes of Hurst, emerging at the pond, and then a short stretch on the main road, before turning into Broad Hinton. A good warm up climb to get the fingers warmed up. Then across the railway line in Ruscombe and straight over on New Road, continuing to dog leg over the A4, and drop down part way into Wargrave. Then we headed to Crazies Hill.
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| Always love this view on the way up to Crazies Hill. Blue sky too! |
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| Sue and a few ladies on their way to Crazies Hill. They then stopped and my group over took them, meeting at the top at The Horns Pub. |
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| Crazies Hill. after the cheeky little climb. Next, its an easy flat section. Then all downhill to Aston. We had spread out a bit dropping down Aston Lane, with me warning of the horrible pot holes section. Beyond it, we could enjoy a speedy downhill to The Flower Pot. The first few of us, noticed a large truck about to pull out of a field on our right, just passed the potholed section, with several cars waiting to follow it UP Aston Lane. ( A hunting party. The 3rd I have seen on my last 3 rides). The drivers waited for the first group to pass but with no sign of the others in sight, unfortunately they all then pulled out. So I knew that the second group would need to pull over and wait for all the vehicles to squeeze past. Shame. |
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| Waiting for the others to catch up, on Remenham Lane, just passed The Flower Pot. Hambleden Valley in the distance. |
We didn't meet any cars along the pretty Remenham Lane, and soon arrived in Henley on the Berkshire side of the Bridge. " Ahhh! Said Amanda. We're here!" 😊
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| Pulled over to wait for the others next to the Thames (Photo by Angela) |
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| The second lot got caught by red lights as they crossed the Henley Bridge. |
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| Catching up, before we all grouped together for the very short section through Henley one way system. |
We crossed over the main A4155 road, then immediately right into Hamilton Avenue, to ride through (and UP!), the quiet residential roads to Harpsden, where we stopped opposite the church to look at the fascinating wood paneling on the gable ends of the properties. (Some ladies not seen them before.)
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| The fascinating old printing blocks in Harpsden. (Photo by Angela) |
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| Angela in Haspsden |
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| There is a second building just off the roadside. |
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| Photo by Angela. |
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| A few minutes recovery time after the slog up Devil's Hill My gears seemed to run out before the steeper section even started! |
I wasn't convinced my fitness was up to this today, so was chuffed to have made it in one. And so did everyone else. Brilliant effort ladies. With the foliage all off the trees, good visibility today where we pulled over, of the BBC satellite dishes for listening in to "the enemy".
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| Selfie of the full team before we headed inside at The Bottle & Glass. Rose, Linda, Louise, Kathie, Sue P, Kim, Sandra, Amanda T, Angela and me |
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| lol. Very serious Linda and Kim! |
A good chat over coffee, and as we left, the pub had suddenly filled up with lunch customers. The pub serves GREAT food btw. I am talking from experience.
Downhill now from Binfield Heath to Dunsden, and Playhatch. We split into 3 groups for our ride on the horrible main road into Sonning, and tucked in off the road immediately over the bridge. Once all the traffic had gone, we could then relax a bit to climb out of Sonning knowing that the red lights would hold the next lot of cars up, giving us time to reach Pound Lane. We wiggled through Woodley, down Sandford Lane, and back to Woosehill via the new cycle paths to Emmbrook. 3 ladies peeled off on the last half mile going a more direct route home.
"I'm knackered", I admitted.
"I'm Pooped", said Rose.