2 of the 3 Amigos

Today just 2 of the 3 Amigos went for a cycle around the Henley area.
Sally and I met at Lower Assendon and took a steady climb up to Russells Water, where we stumbled across a little house with a beautiful stained glass window of a humming bird, we knocked on the door to ask if we could take a picture, hoping she would invite us in but she didn't so we had to take the picture from outside, I'm not sure it looks so impressive in the photo.




A little way on we stopped at the village pond to take a picture of a herd of male ducks with just two females for company, poor girls were being quite heavily fought over.

We then made our way up to Christmas common where we tried to call in to see Sally's Sister in law but unfortunately she wasn't at home, so we carried on past a very impressive free range egg farm with these lovely moveable hen houses.







Then on towards Turville Valley, down a very steep very long hill, this is quite worrying as we hadn't gone up hill anywhere near as far as we were going down, so that can only mean one thing, we have to go up again before we get home.
Turville valley is where the "Vicar of Dibley" is filmed, so here is a picture of the Vicars House.





We stopped for lunch at the very excellent' Bull and Butcher" also featured sometimes in the programme. As we started to eat our best lunch so far during training, it started to rain, but we were under an umbrella and didn't mind. The rain became much heavier as we left the pub to head back, but it is spring and the ride was beautiful so we didn't mind.



Another climb up to Fawley where we stopped at this lovely church whose name I failed to find out, it was quite interesting though as there were 2 huge Mausoleums in its grounds, I have also failed to get the information about these but perhaps if you have good eyes you can read the plaque on the last photo.













Then back, down hill almost all the way to Lower Assendon, and when we got back we both said we could happily continue for much longer, Im not sure if that's because we dawdled, if we are getting fitter or if the ride was just an easy one, but we enjoyed it and thats the main thing at this stage.

My Mate Marmite

Just a relatively sedate 19 miles today. Did the usual 'orrible climb to the top of The Downs which is OK inasmuch as this pain is over and done with in the first five miles so the rest of the trip is relatively painless.

Took a piccie of My Mate Marmite at the top of The Downs before heading past the pub pictured. This pub always requires an immense amount of will power to pass, especially as it appears within 5 minutes of reaching the top of The Downs. It was worthy of a photo this time given the horses tethered in the horsey style parking bays (sorry - don't know the technical term for this!)

Judging by the objective of the Three Amigos to actually stop at a pub en route, I guess next time I pass the Hook and Hatchet, I should not feel too guilty stopping for a sharpener.

It was then back down The Downs for a ride up passed Leeds Castle once again and a leisurely ride taking in the country air.

With a Bank Holiday approaching, may have to plan a longer ride - and a pub lunch a la Three Amigos!

The 3 Amigos ride again

For Tuesdays ride the 3 Amigos met at Tim Roche's house where we were served a nice cup of coffee once Tim had worked out how to operate the Cafetiere. Tim was team leader today and the plan was for 26 miles around Oxfordshire. To Sally's and my surprise we Cycled past no less than 7 really nice looking pubs without a peep from Tim, we were beginning to think he may be unwell, but he told us that he had a pub in mind for lunch.
Then a very exciting thing happened, we saw the first plane in the skies for almost 6 days.







After stopping to take a picture we continued and I got a bit left behind as we started up what we had been promised was the only hill on the route "Boars Hill" this turned out to be a lie, but it was the steepest climb of the day but fairly short.







At the top of Boars Hill we stopped for a breather and a photo oportunity with Oxford in the distance, before continuing on over some pleasantly undulating countryside.
( I have little idea where we were as this is not my neck of the woods and Sally and Tim were reluctant to write this blog)









We then got a little lost on the way to Abbingdon where Tim had promised us a great pub for lunch, but he had left his route plan at home and we ended up here, I think it was a football pub as sky sports was on two giant screens and they were busy putting up a large St George cross flag and some bunting, however they served an acceptable lunch and a decent pint.












After lunch I had to whimper a bit to get everyone to agree that we also needed a mars bar for extra energy to get home, I was right though as the wind was against us all the way back, and another challenge for Tim when we got there, how to make peppermint tea.
We ended up doing about 28 miles due to the slight unplanned change of route.
Could someone also tell Tim these are saddle covers not hats!!!

2nd Ride of the Weekend!

As threatended in yesterday's post, I went for my second bike ride of the weekend today.


I only did my short 11 mile ride today but managed it in record time. This time I did go up the steep climb to the top of the Downs, something I failed to do yesterday.





Forgot to say that I was taking my son out for the first time on my Vespa so I guess this doesn't count as part of my training schedule! But it is still a bike though!

Winter hill

Just a quick 12 miles up and down winter hill, and through Cookham and Pinkneys Green today.
The view from the top was well worth the climb, I have no idea how much of a climb it was as my computer has been broken for 2 years. You can see the Thames at the bottom and the A404 leading up to the Handy Cross roundabout at High wycmbe to the distant top left of this picture. Also notice, no aircraft trails in the sky, what a rare and peaceful sight.
It was all very pretty with nice quiet roads, I expect you would need to be quite wealthy to live around there. I also passed "Copas" famous turkey farm, a pretty little orchard, and then went through some woods again where there were these tempting bike runs made by kids for cycling, I remember playing on bikes in the woods as a child on these, I think the troughs were created by unused bombs which were dumped from returning aircraft during the war, at least thats a story we were told as kids. However I did not play on them today as I think I am just a little too old now.

Wimpery!

Honest plans for another good 30 mile solo ride up on the North Downs today. Cycled to Detling on my normal route which is halfway up then along the Pilgrims Way to give me time to catch my breath and psyche myself up for the last 300 ft climb which is sharp and nasty.

I was just picking up speed, dropping through the gears to set myself up for the launch, rounded the corner and ... my chain fell off. No a problem, put it back on and carry on - but without the launch at the hill. Just as I was about to set off again, a little girl came round the corner on her pony about to go up the hill as well. There was not enough room to pass and so rather than wait and follow her up slowly, I made an executive decision and wimped out. Instead I carried on along the Pilgrims Way dropped into Hollingbourne and across the A20 (which I believe is on our P2P route) and up by Leeds Castle. You can see the evil Downs in the background.

This was a gem of a route and not one I know well albeit it is so local. The castle is ordinarily only 3 miles away from home but I had taken the scenic route to get there (about 10 miles). It is described as the "lovliest castle in the world" and it is not difficult to see why.

I might add I played golf on the castle's 9-hole course only this morning. The cycle ride was the penance for the bacon sarnie enjoyed in the pub after the round!

What followed was a lovely ride around the fields on the south side of the A20. However, I must confess that I did wimp for the second time. I knew I was heading for a 500 ft descent at Sutton Valence that would need to be re-climbed (if that is a word). I therefore erred on the side of caution and headed towards home. Home was closer than I thought so only did 15 miles. I may have to do another 15 tomorrow to make up for it.

A puncture, a pigeon and pot holes

Todays ride did not start too well, the bike emerged from the shed with a puncture, but it is just a slow one so I pumped up the tyre and guessed I could safely do 15 miles without it going down, so off I went only to have a collision with a Pigeon within the first 100yds of my ride, this was probably a good thing though as it alerted me to the fact that I had forgotten my helmet, so back home for that and finally I got under way.








Having seen Davids picture of a pothole last week I have been noticing just how many there are, In fact I rode right into one the other day, so that's probably where the puncture came from. Wokingham district council have filled in a few of the potholes but the road is now wearing out around them.






They come in all shapes and sizes.













I took a ride up Crazies hill again, then back down through Knowl Hill and a little run through the woods (probably not good for puncture avoidance) Then through White Waltham past 2 of my favourite pubs, no point going in on my own. And finally back home.












Cycling on ones own is not much fun even in the sunshine but today I was wearing my marvelous "Oakley Thump" musical goggles, I can thoroughly recommend them. It is interesting how the different styles of music can affect how you cycle. A bit of Folk or Reggae is good for pootling around, but you need something like the "Cha Cha slide" (Dance track) to get you up a hill or the Penguin cafe orchestra's "Beanfields" is another good hill climber.
Anyway enough from me lets have a few more of you adding to the blog.

Save your bum!

Fellow sore saddlers, here it is the item you have all been waiting for, the "Bumulator". Yes folks you may not know it yet but this could become your best friend in the weeks to follow. I promise you I have tried all sorts of saddles, padded shorts, underwear and gel covers but this is the only thing that actually works. This will be my fourth "Pedal to Paris". On the first two I had severe, well lets just call it blistering but the last time I went I made myself one of these, I didn't use it in training much or for the first day of P2P, mainly because I thought people would laugh, but for the last 3 days I did and there was no soreness or blistering at all, and everyone wanted one by the end of the ride.
Sally already has one and can vouch for it's effectiveness.
The cost will be £20 each,they come in 2 sizes medium and large, I have bought enough materials to make 10 of these for now, so roll up and put in your order, after deducting the cost of materials the remainder of the money will go into the sponsorship pot.

Been doing a bit of training, just routine rides out with the Cycling Tourist Club members. Yesterday I did 37 miles, not too bad, sun shining and the first time in shorts this year - hurrah! First time without mudguards too....

Need to put some longer rides in soon to build up a bit of stamina - I live in hope.....

Nick

Training underway!

After a 32 mile solo trek over the North Kent Downs to Canterbury early on Easter morning, I undertook a similar trek yesterday to Whitstable. This one was about 30 miles (my cable snapped on my "on board computer" so I cannot be absolutely sure) and like the previous week's ride, the biggest obstacle is a 500 ft climb to the top of the Downs. All this happens in the first 5 miles but the great thing is that it is downhill thereafter. Freewheeling down through the country lanes of North kent and hitting the coast just east of Faversham, the final 6 miles was along the coast through Seasalter to my sister's house on the beach conveniently just opposite the Neptune pub (see piccie).

The weather was fantastic and any chill in the air was well and truly extinguished by the time I reached the top of the downs. Thankfully it was too early in the morning to consider refuelling stops. Passing the Black Horse on the Pilgrims Way, the Hook and Hatchet nestled in a wooded gully at the top of the Downs and then the fantastic Ringlestone Arms (seller of the county's finest pint - Master Brew!) ordinarily requires immense will power.




Following the snow earlier in the year, pot holes remain a real hazard although thankfully, yesterday these were more visible than last week as they were not lurking beneath puddles.

On the windy coast road into Whitstable I was twice overtaken by cycle clubs that seemed to be taking things far too seriously. I tried to get into their slipstream but failed miserably.

Having been greeted at my sister's house by my two nephews, I still had to wait an uncomfortable 90 mins before my support team turned up with a towel and change of clothes. I think my brother-in-law either had a cold or was far too polite to make a comment.

A two minute walk to the Pearson's Arms to celebrate my parent's 45th wedding anniversary and for the finest fish and chips in the land (beer battered and chips cooked in dripping plus minted mushy peas) was just the tonic. My support team (wife and kids) were there for the lift back home so the 15 mile freewheeling descent did not have to be reversed into a 15 mile tortuous ascent.

The evening was pleasantly rounded of finishing the kids' Easter eggs whilst watching the Masters.

Out on my own today for a quick 10 miles.
Decided to try the really steep climb through the woods at Crazies Hill, it was no problem at all to my surprise, in the past this has been a real struggle for me, I have learned however that you have good days and bad days with cycling and there is often no good reason for either.
You probably can't see too well from the picture but this is quite high up, just above the chimney in the middle you can see Reading in the far distance.
Happy cycling.
Frances

Donations

If you want to donate to the Royal British Legion via Frances' web link, copy this link to your web browser
http://www.justgiving.com/Frances-Kelly

An ancient church,beer and steam

Fellow Sore Saddlers

For about the last month the 3 amigos, Sally, Frances and Tim have been meeting regularly for cycling training towards the Sore Saddlers pedal to Paris ride .

We started in the Cotswolds, a slight error so early in our training as it was very hilly and we took about 3 hours to cycle 15 miles, so as you can tell this is about 1/3rd the speed we need to be achieving.

Since then we have been visiting more gently undulating countryside.

Today we met at Shillingford and took a ride in the glorious sunshine through Wallingford, then Ipsden where we visited a lovely little church "St Mary the virgin", which is over 900 years old and although small has its own organ.

Continuing on we climbed a rather too long and increasingly steep hill to Checkenden, where we were very happy to find the "Four horseshoes" just in time to catch last orders for food. Whilst we were enjoying our lunch we were amazed to see 4 steam engines arrive in the car park,. What a great way to train, couldn't have been better.