Breeze Crazies Hill to Marlow - 25 miles

With the shortest day only 3 weeks away, I am keeping my rides to max 25 miles for a few weeks. In summer, a ride to Marlow from home would be close to 40 miles which is fine, but not this time of year. So,  I planned  a ride from Crazies Hill to Marlow instead. I gave Louise and Kim a lift and enroute Kim asked "Where is Crazies Hill anyway? " 😂

Route link screen shot at end. 

Amanda had  ridden from home, in Twyford, so an easy starting point for her today.  The Horns Pub was looking lovely with the low winter sun, so before we got going, a team photo in sunshine. I balanced the camera on my bike which was propped against this planter.   Almost got everyone in shot!

That worked apart from Amanda who is behind foliage. 

So, here then the group including Amanda. 
Gill, Kim, Amanda T, Karen, Louise. 

Our first few miles were all downhill, passing Velolife at Warren Row, to cross the A4 into Bottle Lane. It was chilly, and of course we were putting little effort in so far.   Gill requested a stop to put an extra layer on, whilst I added my glove liners. 

Bottle lane, looking back up to Warren Row.

And looking to where we are heading, to join the Knowl Hill circuit.

 Gill adding an extra layer. I also added my glove liners.

It took a few seconds to realise what this was. Everyone stopped to see.
A steam train whizzing past, I almost missed the shot. 

No crops in the fields this time of year, as we crossed to Breadcroft Lane, and over the railway into Woodlands Park to join Canon Lane. It  can be a busy road, so we split into two groups until we reached the A4 roundabout, and soon into the backroads to Pinkneys Green. 

We were mostly warm now, but still had more of a climb to get to Cookham Dean. We often take a right bend on the road if heading to Flat Harry's cafe, but today continued straight on using Winterhill Road all the way to the top. 

Stopped to allow a car to pass on this bend on our way up to Cookham Dean.
Looks like an orchard opposite. It was a nose blowing kind of day at every stop!😄

At the top, we dropped down the  hairpin  bends on Quarry Wood Road. The temperature dropped on this shady side of the hill, and 5 degrees by the time we reached the bottom.  

As we crossed the bridge into Marlow, we had to slow down to follow a Range Rover who needed reassurance from some walkers that they could make it through the width restrictions without damaging their car. It is tight!  A friend of mine has wrecked their car here.  Then up the High Street to turn right to the Ark Cafe at the church. 

Table outside anyone?

Inside today was nice and cosy. 

Window art at the cafe.

As we left the church entrance, walking just as far the foothpath to cross the road, I stopped to allow a pedestrian to pass infront of me.

"Oh, hi Steve", I confidently  announced, as I instantly recognised this man whose name I KNEW was Steve. "Hi" he replied, and continued walking, to disappear into a shop just 2 doors down. 

I had said it before I realised who it was. Only Steve  from the Repair Shop!! lol.   Gill who had witnessed this, was convinced I knew him.   And the stupid thing was I also thought I knew him.  We all got a fit of the giggles for the next half a mile, as everyone called out "hi Steve". 😂

The climb out of Marlow is a long steady one, but not a steep climb, so we all stuck together at a similar pace, which was good. And it's not a busy road.  At the summit, some open views, but we had lost the sun, infact it was quite heavy drizzle by the time we reached Frieth X Roads.  A fast downhill now, to then pass through Fingest, and a soon a left turn up the Hambleden Valley Road. Louise was feeling chuffed that they knew where she was. Well done! 

Another essential nose blow stop along Hambleden Valley.
We were all at it today.😊. The sun now behind the clouds. 

We left the main road to ride through the village
only to find out that Karen had never been here before. She found it charming,
which of course it is. 

Hambleden sheep. 

So now to head to cross Hambleden Lock at the weir.  I had pre warned the ladies yesterday, that we may not be able to use the path to get us to Aston once we had crossed the weir, if it was still flooded. I had a plan B, but it would have meant a bit of main road to Henley and Wargrave, so I was really hoping we could get through. (Remenham Lane still flooded today according to the flood reports, so that was not an option). 

Crossing Hambleden Weir, where the river level and weir was similar height. 

Several gates open to control the water levels. 

Across the lock bridge, and we joined the path, with fingers crossed that once we were round the next bend, we could get through.  Thankfully it was fine.  Just need to get up Aston Lane now and soon back to Crazies Hill.

We finished with a speed of just under 11mph today, which was pretty good going since we had a fair few climbs today. Well done ladies, and thanks as always for your good company.