Next week we celebrate (?) our 13th lockdown ride. It’s also the week closest to Midsummer’s Day, so how about a 43 mile ride to Bramley and back? We should be able to get sustenance at the Bakery and there’s likely to be socially-distant seating available at the railway station.
The planned route goes out via Gatehampton, so anyone who’d find it more convenient could meet at Goring station at 9:35 as an alternative to Phil’s at 9:30.

As lockdown eases, groups of up to 6 are allowed to gather outside at least 2m from each other. Chris, Mick, Phil and Steve gathered at Phil’s house at 9:30 on Monday – almost like old times. Traffic on Streatley Hill was still relatively quiet, but the hill was still as steep. We were met at the top by Alun and Simon, then proceeded on the planned route, stopping in the churchyard at Hampstead Norreys, where those that wanted could buy take-away refreshments from the shop next door.

As Alun said “My first picnic in a graveyard”. Neville turned up while we were there, as did Andrew and Thomas.

Five of us carried on via the planned route down the Pang Valley, others taking shorter options. Just below Hampstead Norreys there was a magnificent display of poppies in fields that a couple of weeks ago were blue with flax.

Chris showing off his balance while the poppies draw a “crowd”.

With the possibility of gathering for a bit of social distancing, this week’s suggestion is another foray into the Berkshire Downs, with the opportunity for a coffee and chat at Hampstead Norreys.

Suggested timings are:
Dep Phil’s house 9:30
HNVS 11:30 – 12:00

The route as mapped is 36 mi, but there are many options for shortening or lengthening it.

Alun and Breeda

“We decided to do ride today (Sunday) instead of tomorrow. Can confirm that ride is definitely undulating but lots of cyclists having a go. We got as far as Sprigs Alley but decided to avoid off road on return. Went into Chinnor instead then Kingston Hill and directly home. Photos are Fingest Church and Cowleaze Wood for picnic on way home.”

Congratulations Alun and Breeda! Not only your longest ride on Strava, but almost certainly your hilliest! Those of us plugging our way to Goring along the Ridgeway below the escarpment thought that climbing Kingston Hill on the way back was definitely above and beyond. Your 994 m of ascent is equivalent to 3261 ft – Goring to Portsmouth has 3260 ft.

Neville, Chris, Simon and Steve

“Chris, Steve, Simon and I (Neville) cycled the route, using the Ridgeway on the way back. As you can see it was reasonably smooth.”
“Looks a bit ridgey to me…” – Mick

“Worse than ridgey here” – Steve

Chris started the route in Ewelme, so we said goodbye to him here on the way back, and had a demonstration of Moulton origami (strictly not, as it doesn’t fold).

Phil

“I was busy this morning (Monday) but managed to do some of the route this afternoon. After Cookley Green I went down Britwell Hill and on to the B4009 then turned off on to the road to Britwell Baldwin and joined the return leg of the route.”

Mick

“The Force wasn’t with me to do to 40 odd mile route do I did the short route below. Thought I might have a coffee and cake at Stoke Row shop but it was packed out so didn’t bother. I did buy some stamps from the mobile post office – a first for me. Also saw Breeda running on Gatehampton Road.”

As Neville says in his notes “…the route is actually flat”. See what you think.

With the easing of the Government’s Lockdown came the opportunity for us all to see each other for the first time since March. Those who wanted could even have a socially-distanced coffee at the Maharajah’s Well, either from a flask rattling around in the bottle cage on their bike, or from the Stoke Row Village Store across the road.

For a brief while, various sub-groups enjoyed reminding themselves what others looked like and catching up with news. We then went on our ways in a variety of variations on the published route.

Alan and Breeda demonstrating serious social distancing to the others.

Alun and Breeda
“Breeda and l followed a clockwise extended route via Cholsey, Benson, Swyncombe Hill, Cookley Green, Park Corner, Nuffield, Stoke Row and South Stoke, all on road 52.5 km. Lovely ride and great to meet everyone in Stoke Row.”

This was possibly the longest version of the route, and the earliest, with a 7:41 am start.

Mick
Of the people who did the anticlockwise route, Mick may have been the first back home, taking the on-road version throughout.

“Good to see you all!”

Phil (plus Neville, Simon and Steve)

Phil followed the off-road route, accompanied by Neville, Simon and Steve, though Steve stayed on the B481 from Park Corner to Cookley Green, having done the bumpy Swyncombe Estate bridleway last week.

Chris

“What a wonderful Monday, great to see all well at Stoke Row, and my extra off-road bits were easily ridable, if very slow (back at Goring 14:30…) Total 30m.”

Andrew

“Tom and I did a modified off-road route; up past Braziers Park to Stoke Row then via bridleways from there towards Nuffield and then to Ipsden. A really beautiful day and lovely to see people at the Maharajahs Well.”