A few changes of riders in the last 48 hours, for different reasons, but 7 of us met up in Sonning Common to start our ride. A blowy day, with an average wind speed of 20mph across our ride. But a South Westerly, so VERY mild for December. It was 12 degrees as we set out. Our first few miles were all a gradual uphill, so no one was in the least bit cold by the time we had cycled up Wyfold Lane into Stoke Row.
route link (screen shot at end)
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| Flags flapping as we met in Sonning common at 9.45. |
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| Rose sent me back with my camera to capture this little Christmas story. |
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| Top of our climb as we approached Stoke Row and the house which recently featured on Grand Designs. |
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| A nose blow stop and regrouping in Nuffield. Dramatic light rays in the sky, but we didn't see any sun today. |
We split into 2 groups to ride on the road from Huntercombe End to Christmas Common, and I saw the front group take a right turn too soon. I was a bit confused, but then as we caught up, it was clear as to why they had turned off the main road. 😖
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| Kim putting some air in her tyre, hoping it would be enough..... |
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| But no luck. We pulled over again very soon. Needs a new inner tube We didn't find any thorns or flint stone, which never fills you with confidence! (the 4 ladies in the background are tying to work out how to get air in the new tube. They failed! 😂) |
Soon on our way again, and we did a quick stop at the Christmas Tree Barn in Christmas Common. None of us had realised there is a Christmas shop there. Thought they just sold trees.
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| Taken by a customer. Amanda T, Clare, Rose, Louise, Kim, Me (in my new green jacket) and Jeanette. |
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| Kim putting a bit more air in her tyre, which seems ok for now. |
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| Fresh sprouts anyone? |
It's now almost mid day, so we need to get a bit of a wiggle on to get back before it gets dark. We're not yet half way. Shortest day in 3 days time! A lovely whizz down Watlington Hill but a bit gusty too. Rose was off like a shot!
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| Coffee stop at Spire and Spoke Watlington. |
A few of us had a savoury and others a cake, and then on our way once more, for an easy few miles now through the pretty villages of Cuxham, Brightwell Balwin and Britwell Upperton, heading to Ewelme.
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| The mounds in the far distance are Whittenham Clumps as we climbed out of Ewelme, looking beyond Benson. |
