WLCG Sonning Common to Benson via Britwell - 35 miles 1700 feet

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It's been a few weeks since we had a full team of the WLCG, and just the 5 "oldies" free today. With a good forecast, I suggested the Riverside Cafe at Benson for our break, so we  met at Sonning Common. 4 in my van, and Gill met us there. 

It's a while since I climbed through the Woodlands to Stoke Row, on Busgrove Lane,  so that was our first climb today, then much more gradual as we made our way to Nuffield and beyond to eventually drop down Britwell Hill.

Route link (photo of route at end)

Making our way up Busgrove Lane from Wyfold to Stoke Row. Lovely tree shade. 

I'm  being watched!. Opposite the piggies on Busgrove Lane. 
Quite a few pigs today, but never photogenic. 

Once through Hunterecombe End, we split into 2 groups to ride on the B481 passing the turnoff to Swyncombe, Russells Water and Christmas Common. We met up again on the left turning into Britwell Hill Road, where this cottage and Morris Minor were on our left. 

Britwell Hill Road just as we turned off. 

And soon the view from the top.All that climbing we had done, and this was our reward.

Team ORO. 😎

Gill, Louise, Andrea and Jeanette all raring to woosh down the hill. 
My top speed was 24.7. Think Gill said she hit 28mph which is why I let her go first!😂

Part way down. Gill out of sight, Andrea a speck, and Jeanette in red. 

Cottage on the corner in Britwell Salome where we turn left. 

And opposite the other cottage. 

A short section now on the B4009, with a right turn after half a mile towards Britwell Upperton. We lost Andrea and Louise for a bit, wrong gears!  But they soon caught us up.

We were a bit peckish, and Gill shared some of her Grasmere Gingerbread.
Very nice thanks!

The fields all harvested now. Liked this little cloud. 

Just before we reached Britwell Baldin, we took the track to the left on the bend, which becomes a farm track. A walker did shout"watch out for the potholes!"  This goes through Cadwell Farm, a mostly concrete track. It wiggles around, emerges just south of Chalgrove. Left at the end, and the lovely downhill lane to Berrick Salome and Rokemarsh, straight over the B4009 and into Brook Street Benson.

We rode though Benson, crossed the very busy A4074, and into the cafe. 

The sun has brought them all out today.

Nachos. too much. I gave up half way. But very nice. 

Brie toasty

Avacado and stuff... with chips!

Salmon and Prawn salad.


Stuffed! And ready to hit the hill out of Crowmarsh Gifford. 

Extensions to both sides. Clever additions to this pretty thatch in Preston Crowmarsh. 

Yeah. First climb done. 

Ipsden, where we drop down, then turn left into an unnamed lane
to then turn right to Nuffield Lane. (12% at worst.... twice!)

Louise and I made it without stopping. Not sure I've done that before. Phew. 

Well done ladies.  And now the next few miles are much easier. 

Back via Stoke Row, and down Stoke Row Road to Peppard Common all the way to the Pet Barn at Sonning Common. Then just one little climb on Wood Lane to get back to the start.

Nice to make the most of a beautiful September Day, before the rain comes next week.