Crazies Hill to Cookham

A slightly subdued ride today, as we had the very sad news that sister in law Nicola had died yesterday morning, after a very recent diagnoses of cancer.

Monday ride, and we arranged to meet Daphne and Linda, and Dave, at Crazies Hill. Except that Dave got that wrong, and turned up at our house around 9ish, when we had already set off to Crazies Hill. We didn't unfortunately see his message until we were waiting for him at Crazies Hill. 😖😖😖 So, no Dave today.

Route link

We all had shorts or 3/4 trousers on, but with jackets layers too. A cool downhill past Warren Row to start, and another day with no sunshine in prospect. Many of the leaves now off the trees, so running out of time for that fantastic autumnal photo this year. 😞

Crossing the Knowl Hill circuit and Breadcroft Lane, we started to climb gradually to cross the A4 and cut through to Pinkneys Green. Time for jackets off, before the next bit of climbing up to Cookham Dean.

Ignoring the right hand bend on Choke Lane, (which leads to Long Lane and Flat Harrys), we continued to the next right turn into Bigfrith Lane. The climb goes on a bit, before we finally benefit from a fast downhill through Cookham Dean on Hills Lane, and drop into Cookham.

Leaving Cookham, a couple of trees with some colour, but no light on them.

Leaving Cookham, and now the next right turn into Terry's Lane...
... to warm us up again!

Top of Terry's Lane, John up first and took this shot.

Terry's Lane as it flattens out and views across Winter Hill.

National Trust volunteers out with scythes, on Winter Hill.

We dropped down the steep, hairpin Quarry Wood Road, then over the Thames into Marlow. Our next climb now on Oxford Road, up to Bovingdon Green.

A brief rest as we climbed through Bovingdon, to join
Freith Road..

Views from Freith Road.

Views from Frieth Road, and soon a left turn, into Chisbridge Lane and more
climbing all the way to Little Frieth.

Little Frieth Views as we start to drop down into Fingest.

Fingest church.

Along the Hambleden Valley Road, and shortly before Hambledon John opted for a final climb to the road above the valley, whilst the rest of us carried on along the flat.