After last Wednesday's disastrous 4 puncture ride, the ladies asked for a re run. So, 4 of the five who joined me last week were free. This was a originally a "Bluebell ride", but they have peaked. We still saw plenty, but saw lots more lovely views too.
We met at Emmer Green and repeated the first 6 or so miles to Checkendon. (which last week included floods and the first two punctures.). Park Lane through Hook End was looking lovely with the light through the Beech Trees.
Route link Map screen shot at end
 |
| Park Lane, Hood End |
 |
| Top of the climb on Deer Lane into Checkendon |
Last week, with our route shortened, we took a right in Checkendon directly to the farm shop, but today back to our original plan! A left in Checkendon and before we crossed the main road to Woodcote, a request to spend a few minutes at the Skeleton Sculptures.
 |
| The Skeleton Sculptures are a short walk along the field edge. |
 |
| "The Nuba Survival" Sculptures |
 |
| The old barn has been collapsing over the last few years. |
We skirted the edge of Woodcote, and soon came to our huge long downhill into Goring.
 |
| Once over this road, we split up to give space to enjoy the big downhill but watching out for quite a few sandy/gravelly bits which I found on the recce ride. |
 |
| Amy enjoying the easy downhill to Goring on Elvendon Lane |
 |
| Amy and I stopped for a moment part way down. |
 |
| And opposite, looking back. Its quite a long hill! (which I have cycled up but not for a while) |
 |
| Photo by Amy. |
My route wasnt planned to go down into Goring itself, but since the others have not been before, and had no deadlines, we added a mile or so dropping downhill further to the village.
 |
| Goring. This property looking gorgeous with Wisteria and Peony in flower. |
 |
| Pretty alleyway next to the public loo. Alliums and "Love in the Mist" self seeded. |
 |
| Amanda spotted this enroute to the loo!😂 |
 |
| Goring Lock |
 |
| The new house which replaced the old one which was destroyed by fire a couple of years ago. (The Thatch had caught fire. The old house was valued at 2.8 million ) |
 |
| Goring Lock. Photo by Amanda |
 |
| Goring as we start to climb back up the High Street. |
 |
| I've never seen Chains this long! Amazing. |
 |
| Then, back on our course, we joined the Ridgeway path for a short section high above the Thames as far as Don Giovani's Restaurant. |
 |
| And now the very different landscape of the Ipsden crop fields |
We did a loop into South Stoke going under the railway twice, and then crossed the B4009 for the second time, to start our gradual climb to Ipsden.
 |
| Oh look! It's all downhill! Left turn at the farm buildings. |
 |
| Nice to see this horse rider cantering across the fields. |
 |
| Just before we cross straight over the busy A4074 |
 |
| Looking back to where we were. |
 |
| Saddle Cam shot. Me, Linda, Amanda T,Amy, Amanda O. |
 |
| And now de-robing, before our climb on Garsons Lane to Blue Tin (It's lunch time!) |
I made it in one, using all my new extra gears on my bike. A couple of ladies walked a bit, but that's allowed. The ebikes made it of course, but they still had to work.
 |
| Blue Tin entrance. |
 |
| We opted for savoury rather than cake. Weren't we good. |
 |
| And then we had cake as well!😂 But just 4 cakes between 5, so not greedy or anything. |
 |
| Ready to go. |
 |
| As we were riding out of the driveway, I spotted some movement in the weeds. Piglets! And someone had just had sausage roll! |
 |
| Watching the piglets. I had to tear them away. |
A final little bit of climbing, back to Checkendon Equestrian Centre, then a nice downhill to Wyford area.
 |
| Dropping down to Wyfold Road. |
 |
| A nice bit of blue haze still, but it's almost gone. |
At the X Roads, we turned left into the undulating Wyfold Lane.
 |
| The Wisteria Stop on Wyfold Lane (photo by Amy)  The scent was amazing. |
I stopped to take my jacket off again, and heard a shout from behind. The one you really don't want to hear.... PUNCTURE. No!!! We are almost back!! Amanda T's turn.
 |
| I assisted, but mostly directed, letting the ladies get hands on today. The tyre came off easily so I was confident of getting it back on. |
 |
| Well done team. |
So, off we go. Except that as I got back on my bike, I noticed that MY front tyre was soft.😥. I decided to put some air in, and hope it would behave to get me back. Which it did, but by the time I drove home, it was soft again. So, guess what my lovely hubby insisted on doing when I got home. 💗
Thanks for your good company ladies. We SO nearly made it without any incidents. I hope we all have a gentle, incident free ride to the Swallowfield garden tomorrow.
