Hoping to make the most of the Beechwoods again this week, my route started in Emmergreen, with our destination of the Blue Tin Farmshop. It's a while since we last climbed UP to the Blue Tin, and today was the day! My gravel bike was in for a service, and hoped to get it back yesterday, but didn't. So, on my road bike today. So would I make it up the hills without my Oro lower gearing?
Rose, Gill, Karen, Amy and Jeanette joined me today.
I made a change to our planned route straight off, since I wasn't keen to use my road bike across Bugs Bottom. Instead, we used Kidmore End Road, where we joined our planned route at Kidmore End church. (This was an easier way anyway, so no one was complaining.😉)
Route link screen shot at end.
Photos today a combination of DJI Osmo screen shots and some that I took with my camera.
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| Rose and Karen on Park Lane, Cane End. |
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We pulled over on Park Lane to wait for one lady
and this beautiful scene on our right.
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Through Exlade Street next to cross over the A4074 into Woodcote. We ignored the first left here which we normally take, and at the X roads, a left to head for Long Toll. I had come up this road a while ago and remember thinking it could be stunning in the autumn. And it was.
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Just before we set off down Long Toll.
(We normally turn here into Pot Kiln Lane)
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Setting off down Long Toll.
I told them to go on ahead, since I might stop for a photo... or 2!
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After a right turn at X Road into Goring Road, we soon turned left to whizz down Elvendon Lane towards Goring. (2 miles !😊)
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Elvendon Lane changes name to Battle Road,
where we turned a sharp right, to start a climb on Icknield Road. |
Icknield Road used to seem really steep! I think we are all feeling fitter. It was fine, and it's a dramatic change as it opens up to Pig City.
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| Reaching the top of the climb on Icknield Road. |
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Rose and Karen. Icknield Road,
where we just took in the views for a moment. |
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We have in the past come along the lane with the farm, when
we have dropped into Goring. |
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Another lovely moment, when the scenery
opens out through a copse of trees. |
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| yellow field in the distance as we come to cross South Stoke Road. |
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| friendly Police car waited for us to pass. |
It was strange to see this yellow crop on what was once a grass airfield, for microlights.
Then, we saw a light purple haze ahead, and a few of us were keen for another stop.
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Meanwhile over my shoulder THIS was happening.
The light was gorgeous, but those clouds looked black |
We crossed the A4074, and again looked at the scene from further back. Even better.
Amy was all set to get a photo on her phone, when THIS happened.....
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lol. The view GONE! A bus stop here! In the middle of nowhere!
But two gents got off the bus. |
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Think Jeanette has pulled! 😂
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| Looking back. |
Now the start of our climb to Braziers Park, and Garsons Hill (aka Blue Tin Hill).
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| Wimps heading down the hill. |
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Amy ahead on the bend. It was 12% gradient at it's
worst. We all did it. Well done ladies. 😇 |
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| Jeanette enjoying the view at the Blue Tin entrance. |
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Well deserved drinks and cakes at Blue Tin.
We look a bit windswept, but it was 15 degrees.
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Even the old tractor looked amazing today with the
Rusty coloured Beechwoods behind. |
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Crossing to the unnamed Lane that passes the Blackhorse Pub
near Chekenden. |
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| Then down Emmens Lane, aka the Bluebell Lane |
One last new lane today, was called Hazelmoor Lane, Gallowstree Common. Not sure why I've never used it before. It's beautiful and joins Kidmore Lane to take us to Sonning Common.
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| Hazelmoor Lane |
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| Hazelmoor Lane |
Final couple of miles, our usual route back to to Emmer Green via Bird in Hand Lane.
Thanks ladies for signing up for this challenging route, which actually wasn't too bad... they told me!! Plenty of rewards for our efforts.
Today's route a funny shape. I thought I saw a flying fish, and moments later a message from Jeanette who saw a Dolphin. 😂
