The Lockdown Lodge is once again at Hambleden Lock this summer for its usual 3 week opening, so that is where I took the Breeze ladies today. We could have done a Henley loop from home, via the usual lanes, but to give us more variety, I started the ride at Crazies Hill. Amanda cycled from home.
The ride originally filled, then 3 ladies dropped out. But this morning, a message from Jo asking to join us, and a pleasant surprise to see Barbara at the start, who signed up last night. 😊 So we were 7, and Rose at last was an official assistant. (BC have taken a month to get her listed as a champ!). I had shared the route with others, so we kind of shared the leading at times anyway.
route link
Our first mile or so was to drop down Rose Lane, which we usually come up from Hurley. I didn't hear any complained about that. 😉 Two groups as we joined the main road from Henley but after a mile, turned into the very quiet Shepherds Lane to take us through Hurley. A section of gravel track next until we disappeared through the DARK TUNNEL. About half a mile later, Rose realised she had a puncture. 😞
Back wheel unfortunately, and the first thing we learned was that no normal tool shape fits her particular screw head. Why on earth can't these things be standard?! She called Mike to ask his advice, and he told her she should have a tiny tool in her bag.... which thankfully she did. It was easy to get the tyre off. Phew. (I also educated the ladies on checking if the tyre was "directional".... which it was, and therefore make a mental note of which way to put it back on.)
Finding the source of the puncture next, which I let Rose do. Nothing obvious inside, but on the outside, a piece of glass which we removed with tweezers. It was quite large and very sharp, and gone all the way through. We were happy that we had found the cause, so time to fit the new tube. It was a bit of bugger to get the tyre back on, even with my "handy tool". After a couple of attempts, we asked a man who was parked in the nursery car park to lend a hand. Fortunately he had the strength to push, and we were sorted. That is just sooo annoying when you do all the work, for him to get the glory!
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We had pulled into this wholesale nursery entrance to fix the tyre.
Thankfully it happened before we joined the main road into Marlow. |
It all took longer than I would have liked, but at least we did it, and set off to head into Marlow. A quick comfort stop on the way through was appreciated all round!
A long, but not too difficult climb out of Marlow, passing Bovington Green and we regrouped at the top. Barbara was loving her ebike again today.
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| Amanda was up after me, and Sandra followed. |
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| Rose "leading from the back" on the hills today. 😂Great job Rose. |
Rather then follow the flat ridge road all the way to Freith X Roads, we took a left into Chislebridge Lane, a cheeky little climb, and then a right turn on a bend. Except that the ones up first didnt have the route, and they went straight on. I wasnt far behind, so called them back. 😊
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RIGHT TURN!!!! off of Chislebridge Lane
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It's a slow burner now through Little Freith, but then a fast downhill to Fingest. Wheee.
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Regrouping at the bottom of the downhill from Frieth.
Sandra, Barbara, Jo, Amanda T, Amanda O, Rose. |
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| And left towards Fingest, where we carry on towards Turville. |
Before Turville, a groan as we start to climb Dolesden Lane. It starts at around 3 or 4 percent and goes on and on and on, ramping up to about 9 degrees at the top end. Well done to
everyone who made it today, some for the first time.
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| Turville Windmill a tiny dot in the distance, as we climb Dolesden Lane. . |
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Rose leading from the back again on Dolesden Lane,
except that I am behind her. 😅 |
At the top, first left through Southend, and onto Roundhouse Lane passing the Round house.
Amanda O ahead for the next section, but once more I had call out "LEFT LEFT LEFT" . 😅
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| nice to see the lock full today after many months of the river being too dangerous. |
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| Our cafe stop just beyond the lock. |
And a few photos from Amanda and Rose. .....
Very relaxing stop. We decided to do a little bit of riding along the riverside to Remenham, and cut through at the church, to ride to the Flower Pot, and up Aston Lane to get us back to Crazies Hill.
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| The start of the rowing lanes, next to Remenham Church. |
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| Remenham Lane, with view to the Hambleden Valley area. |
Thanks to Rose for assisting today, and for all the hard working ladies who joined us for all those DOWNHILLS! See you all soon.
