Since the forecast for Wednesday was not great, and with no Pilates class today, I opted for a Tuesday ride this week, to see who might be free to make the most of a sunny day. This will confuse me, and the ladies who came out today, for the rest of the week. We don't ride on Tuesdays! 😁
I took my GoPro camera today, intending to do a bit of filming, but then changed my mind. So the photos will look a bit wide angled today, which is sometimes a bit of fun.
I gave a lift to Cathy, Sue, and Louise, and we met with Gill, Linda C, Amy and Kim at Sonning Common. 3 ebikes out today. A chilly start to the day, but no wind, and zero chance of rain. Our very first turn was "Road Closed", but we were allowed through, and soon crossed over from Kidmore End to Wyfold Lane. We noticed several fungii by the side of the road, as a few opted for a "comfort" stop.
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| Fungii on Wyfold Lane |
We saw a good display of bluebells along Wyfold Lane, but they are not quite at their peak. We turned into Emmens Lane, hoping for a better display, but still a week of two too early. (They were at their peak this time last year).
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| Kim photographing Bluebells on Emmens Lane, nr Checkendon. |
We went around the Equestrian Centre, and as we turned a corner a flood across the lane. Gill was up front, and floods never phase her, so the rest followed through without question. Except that a few seconds later, a shout from behind... "Anne, Stop!" Kim had a puncture. 😓. Kim rides a mountain bike with big chunky tyres, so I thought this will be a doddle. But she said that the tyres are impossible to get off. She would just walk back, 5 miles, to the start, retracing her recorded route.
I couldn't not try at least, but it was very difficult, so gave up. She insisted we go ahead, and she would message us when she got back.
I have seen the Polo Ponies out for their morning walk, a few times now, and we were treated to them again today.
Lindas photo
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| Kim has recorded the route so far and was happy that she would just do it all in reverse. First problem was the flood! Did you get wet feet Kim? OR climb on to the bank? |
So disappointing for Kim. We carried on now to Nuffield, on a gradual uphill and then across the dogleg to Huntercombe End. "ROAD CLOSED". We ignored that one too, and all we saw were 3 traffic cones on our way through. Pathetic. (There is no ideal way around that detour, other than peddling into Nettlebed on a main road, A4130, so I was quite relieved.)
We split into 2 groups on the next section on the B481, passing the turn off to Swyncombe, where some of the ladies had been on my 100th ride. Today, we turned right a bit further on, signposted to Russell's Water. Great views from here towards Christmas Common.
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| Views to Christmas Common. |
Since it was now 11.30ish, we stopped for a few minutes at the pond at Russell's Water for a snack.
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| Russell's Water Pond. |
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| Maidensgrove Common |
The next section is a long steep downhill beneath Beech Trees, on Park Lane, dropping into Stonor Valley. I offered for those who like going fast to go ahead. Gill and Sue were first to go. and I was next. Part way down the hill, I spotted a large deer about to cross the road, to screeched to a halt since there are often more than one. Gill and Sue missed an amazing sight, as 15-20 deer dashed across the road, right in front of the rest of us.😀 Highlight of the day, but no photos. It all happens too fast.
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| Almost at the bottom of Park Lane, dropping into Stonor Valley. |
We immediately now have to climb out of the Stonor Valley. Not too steep a climb, but it goes on a long way, up to Turville Heath. We all made it. But it's a while since I did that, and always find the last few yards tough.
We then found some bluebells for a bit of fun photography, putting GoPro on the ground under the bluebells.
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| Bit of nonsense at Turville Heath. |
A lovely section follows undulating to Northend, then a whizz down Holloway Lane to Turville. Thankfully no traffic today, on the downhill which is pretty narrow. The bluebells in Turville also still not quite out fully, but still very visable.
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| Amy and I stopped at the Turville woods, whilst the others carried on into the village. |
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| Always hard to resist this view to Turville's "Chitty Chitty" "Windmill. |
12.15ish , and lunch is is just a short distance now in Skirmett, as we turn into Hambleden Valley Road.
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| The Frog at Skirmett. What a view! |
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| Lamb Kofta for the majority |
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| I had this starter call Soggy Bottom Goats Cheese with Beetroor. It was delicious. Might have pinched a few sweet potato chips from Amy too! |
Along the Hambleden Valley, which was looking glorious, through the village, then over the weir. I have crossed this weir a hundred times, and I have never known the lock keeper not to be there. We saw a boat go through as we walked across the bridge, but the lock gates were still open as we reached the lock. We hung about, with a few others, and one other cyclist. He finally decided to close the gates. He said he crosses here every other day, and never done this before. How strange!
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| Views from the lock as we wait for the lockkeeper to close the bridge. He never did appear. |
The last few miles of our route were very easy, as we rode along Rememham Lane into Henley, spotting the beautiful display of Loddon Lillies, which I remembered from last year. Linda's chain had been slipping a little, so maybe time for a new chain? Through Henley to Harpsden, all easy going, with just Devil's Hill to get up at the end of the valley. Near the bottom of Devil's Hill I passed Linda, walking, with her chain now off. I managed to get it back on after a bit of a struggle, but noticed that one link was damaged. She limped about another half mile, then decided it was not working again. Definitely needs a new chain now.
Just two miles to go, and Cathy stayed with Linda whilst the rest of us rode back to the cars, the plan for me to come back to collect them with my van. They walked part way, and I picked them up. An eventful day, and thankfully the problems were near the start and end, otherwise I think Taxi's may have been needed.
Everyone seemed to really enjoy the day, Amy commenting that her favourite route so far. Thanks all for your good company. Perfect weather, with beautiful spring scenery.
