Sonning Common to Nettlebed - 28 miles 1750 feet

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A Sunday ride with John and we decided to stay fairly local, to check out some bluebells spots in the Chilterns... although he had already been to Bluetin yesterday leading a club ride. I took my Fuji camera today. 

Having bought 2 new pairs of 3/4 trousers, I  reverted to long trousers, and John went in shorts.  He was freezing as we started out in 9 degrees with a breeze. And never did warm up properly. 

Route link

We drove to Sonning Common, then headed to Kidmore End, and Wyfold, where the bluebells were certainly starting to put on a show, but the Beech Trees still stubbornly brown.

Wyfold Lane.


Further along Wyfold Lane
White Anemones in front of a bluebell patch.
Wyfold by John

We rode past the usual Checkendon patch we often stop at, then around the Equestrian Centre, where for the first time in MONTHS, there were no puddles or floods. Next we dropped down the steep Berins Hill to turn right through Ipsden at the X Roads. 

X Roads at Ipsden. 

The crop fields are showing no signs of any poppy crops, which is disappointing, since its been a few years now since they were grown there.  We turned off and just before our climb up Nuffield Hill, the blossom trees were looking lovely at the Oakley Private drive. 

Bottom of Nuffield Hill

Top of Nuffield Hill. 

Was trying to find somewhere to put the camera for a selfie, 
but couldn't find anywhere. 

We turned left at the top (unusally) since we were not yet heading downhill. Across Huntercombe End, and then a right turn to go along the main road for a couple of miles into Nettlebed. 

It was sunny, but still cool at the Cheese Shed. 


We both had the orange, Almond and Polenta cake, which was fine mostly but a little dry near the edges. Then back on ourselves into Nettlebed and on the downhill (after a short uphill) to pass through Highmoor and left into Rocky Lane. Its ages since I was there (due to wet conditions). 

The bottoms of the Beech Trees on Rocky Lane
were a bit more advanced that other woodlands. 


The surface of Rocky Lane was pretty awful, so we picked our way down slowly, but at least dry... at last.  A few cars parked at the back entrance to Greys Court, as we neared the bottom, and where we turned right, uphill, to the left turn and onto the road back towards Harpsden. Much easier this direction, as it all felt slightly downhill.  Also much easier going down Gillotts Lane into Harpsden, than coming up that way. 

We soon climbed however up Woodlands Avenue and through the Beechwoods to Shiplake. The trees here still quite brown. 
  
Woodlands Avenue above Harpsden. 

Down and up through Shiplake to cross the main road twice, and a bit more climbing to Binfield Heath, passing Teapot cottage. Another down and up through Crowsley, where we turned left along Blackmore Lane to Sonning Common. Another terrible surface! 

So the roads are dry at last, and now rain forecast for tomorrow, so fully expecting to miss our Monday group ride. Its also turned much colder after a couple of days of enjoying 20 degrees.