Monday again, and all 5 of us met at Crazies Hill this morning for a ride to Marlow using a route I put together. We had quite a tough ride last Monday, so although this had hills, nothing too steep today. The temperature was 6 degrees as we set out, but the "feels like" forecast was 2 or 3 degrees. Time for the thermals and glove liners again! But our last 2 Monday rides have been gloomy, whereas today was sunshine all the way. 😎
Route link (screen grab at end)
We began with a drop down through Warren Row, across the A4 and via the Knowl Hill circuit, into Breadcroft Lane... which was a right mess. Worse than I ever remember seeing it. No water, just lots of mud and twigs. Then our gradual climb through White Waltham to Pinkneys Green.
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| Pinkneys Green . Perfect weather. |
We often turn right following a bend on Winter Hill Road into Choke Lane, if heading to Flat Harry's cafe (Or Fat Larries as Dave called it 😂.) But today we continued straight on still on Winter Hill Road, to climb further, into Hocket Lane, with these views on our right.
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| Hocket Lane, Cookham Dean |
The road continues into Grubwood Lane, passing old woodland, and emerging at a corner, where right heads into the village, and left down the 10% switchbatch on Quarry Wood Road alongside the Thames into Marlow. I stopped partway down to take this next shot. Linda is tiny but just visible on the road alongside the flood.
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Dropping down Quarry Wood Road into Marlow.
This is a field.... not the river! |
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| And that's Dave just passing me on the way down. |
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We stopped at The Arc Cafe at the church in Marlow,
and although it looks lovely and sunny, we opted to sit indoors. |
Back to the roundabout at the top of the High Street, then first right to start our gradual climb out of Marlow on Oxford Road. It sounds like a main road, but infact its not that busy at all, and on the first bend changes name to Chalkpit Lane, and at Bovingdon Green, changes name once more to Frieth Road.
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Stopping for others to catch up part way up Oxford Road
close to Bovingdon Green . Never noticed this pond before. |
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| Views on left on Frieth Road, looking towards Lower Woodend. |
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| We wait for the boys to catch us up.... |
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| And here they come, as the road finally levels out, heading towards Freith. |
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We often stop at this view looking to the right along the ridge.
Just as I took this shot, several deer darted into view from our right. |
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Deer in shot, just approaching the trees in middle ground.
They seemed to be chasing birds. |
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Then they stopped and if I zoom in, they are looking directly at us!😊
They dash off again, leep over some fences and hedge and cross the road
in front of us as we peddle off. |
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| The deer cross and dash down this lane with its pretty blossom tree. |
We carry on straight over at Frieth X Roads and drop down the COLD lane into Fingest. This lane is always cold, as it never gets the sun. I shout ahead to Linda to pull in at the church to wait for the boys.
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| horses approaching as we stop at Fingest Church |
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| Little patch of crocus, which a large bee enjoyed. |
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| opposite the church. |
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| Daphne can never resist looking inside any churches. |
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| My bike. |
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| John and Dave wait outside now for us. |
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Daphne chatting to a lady who was helping a bell ringer.
Lovely light. |
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The ladies left the church at the gate opposite to a shout from John.
I have a puncture! 😖😖😖. |
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| At least it was a sunny spot, since we were there for a few minutes. |
The road along the Hambleden Valley had several "Road closed" signs. First there were lots of hedge clippings from a tractor working on the other side of the hedge. Thorns all over the place, so we rode down the middle. Thankfully, we managed to avoid any more punctures.
Loads of water at the usual spot as we leave Skirmett, with water running like a river down the road off the fields. But no work going on anywhere that would warrant the road being closed.
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Passing through Hambleden, a loo stop, whilst the boys catch up again.
Turns out John had to stop to take his wheel off again and reseat it. |
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| 12.35 as we pass through Hambleden |
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| The stream through Hambleden fields flowing fast atm. |
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| Catkins by the stream |
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The weir had disappeared! The power of the water quite scary.
Daphne and I both said we were glad to get over!😟 |
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| From the other side. |
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The river closed to boats at the moment. Too dangerous since the
sides have disappeared. |
I was a bit worried about using the path to the Flower Pot, as it can get flooded, and we asked a couple of walkers coming towards us if they had just come through? NO, they said, the water is too deep......
.... so John decided to go through anyway. The first section was fine, but just beyond the photo of Dave, it got much deeper, and a small tree trunk was all acoss the water. We had to keep peddling and ride over it! That was all a bit mad. Daphne said her heart was pounding.
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Is this a good idea? The first bit was fine,
but just beyond where Dave is... it got deeper, and a tree branch across the path! |
My feet were absolutely soaked, so now my boots
and shoes from the last 2 rides to dry out.
Up Aston Lane back to Crazies Hill. Not exactly home and dry!ðŸ˜
A new favourite ride for Daphne she said, and it was a lovely ride just slightly spoiled with the drama at the end. Jeanette rode this way on Saturday and the path was dry,so I suspect by tomorrorw its going to be closed for a few days, with water levels still rising, and more rain forecast for the next 4 days.
