Dave on holiday, so a few hills thrown in today, otherwise Linda and Daphne would complain😂.
Route link
A cool start of 8 degrees. John had 4 layers on! I had 2 and never felt cold, since we climbed from the word go. All very gentle as we climbed to Kidmore End and to Wyfold, where we continued straight to Stoke Row, passing the piggies.
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| Autumnal leaves as we approach Kidmore End. |
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| Dappled light as we climbed passed the pigs on Busgrove Lane |
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| Maharaja's Well gleaming in the sunshine today. |
A bit more uphill, infact the first 9.5 miles were uphill today to Nuffield, before we eventually dropped downhill.
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| 3 of them popped into Nuffield Church, but not for long. |
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It's that cloud again!
Daphne now down to teeshirt layer. |
We dropped into Ewelme. We more often come out UP this hill. Passing through the village, after a long rebuild due to fire, the thatch cottage is complete apart from their landscaping.
All very easy for the next few miles, following the stream through Benson to the Waterfront cafe.
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Warm enough now to sit out in the sun.
No wind today so very pleasant. |
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| The Thames is hiding behind all the boats. |
The pedestrian bridge at Benson Lock, is currently closed, and due to reopen perhaps in April, but in the meantime a little passenger ferry is on offer (£2 per trip). They dont take bikes.
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| This, we were told, is the spare ferry with a roof. |
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| This open top one, is the normal one. |
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Passing through Preston Crowmarsh.
I have photographed this a few times, but it looked
particularly nice in the sunshine today. |
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| Also in Preston Crowmarsh. |
We used the footpath alongside the A4074, then joined Benson Lane (one way) just as a car came from the A4074 in the wrong direction! Almost a disaster as we all shouted "it's one way!!". They turned around and left again.
So, the inevitable uphill from the river level awaits. Always hard work after such an easy ride the past few miles. We struggled up to the open crop fields of Ipsden, continuing to the Blue Tin X Roads, where everyone removed jackets and any supplementary clothing! Phew! It's hot now, and we have to gain our elevation up to Checkenden.
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| Straight over towards Braziers Park. |
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| Junction where we turn left to pass the farm, to climb Bottom Lane. |
John was first up, of course, and warned the police car waiting at the top, that more cyclists were on their way. Thankfully they waited, since there is not enough room on this lane for cars to pass.
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| Well done everyone. 12% gradient. |
All pretty easy now back through Stoke Row, to whizz down through Kingwood to Rotherfield Peppard. The canopy of trees looking beautiful.
We wiggled through the back streets of Sonning Common, then to Bird in Hand Lane back to Emmer Green for 1.45pm.
I will see Linda and Daphne back in Ewelme on Wednesday to start a Breeze ride there, for a Chalgrove Garden visit. But a very different route from today, as we will head north of Ewelme.
