Over old ground and into new pubs

There are just 3 days now before we depart on our big adventure.
I have rather neglected the blog over the last few weeks and so have combined several rides into one blog.
The 3 Amigos have really just been going around previous routes in different directions and trying out other pubs on the routes.







Many of the rides have started from my house with coffee and cake, and on one occasion I was half way to Faringdon before realising I had left my cycling shoes at home and was wearing these worn out old crocs.
One of the rides started off through the woods which made taking photos a bit tricky as you can see in one of these pictures.

Over the weir at Aston once again where the Canada Geese have stopped for a rest (A sure sign of Autumn in my book)
Then through Skirmet and Turville valley.














Then We were to tackle the very long steep hill up through Northend to Christmas Common, this is one that I have tried to achieve in past years training for the Pedal to Paris but as yet I have never made it all the way up without walking some of the way. Sally took the longer shallower climb through Turville Heath and Tim and I tackled the dreaded climb ( Sally just wanted to make sure someone else bought the drinks at the pub)
To my surprise we made it all the way to the top quite easily and I had to wonder why it had been so difficult before. It just goes to show how important the training is.

Lunch was at the Fox and Hounds as recommended by my Sister Celeste. We had Fish and chips, the fish scored 5 Saddles and the chips only 3, but it is a very good pub.


A little later we crossed the M40 at the famous cut through the chiltern hills and back home via lane and and Hambledon.



A couple more similar rides through Henley and surrounding area.
The fields are now mainly harvested another sign of Autumn approaching.

For the Henley rides I am usually leader as I know the area, so heres the view I usually get in my rear view mirror.

A couple of weeks ago 2 friends of mine, Bo and Kent were visiting from Sweden, Bo works at the Royal Palace in Stockholm and was formerley a Coachman at the Royal Stables there, and Kent works at the City Zoo caring for Bears, Wolves and Bison amongst other creatures. But the rides must go on so they were forced to come cycling with us.

This time we only made it to Hambledon and back, just 24 miles in total, but we stopped at the Huntsman in Hambledon where the chips scored a fairly poor 3 Saddles.
Over the past 3 Saturdays we have joined the Faringdon Cycling group to up our fitness levels, and I must say they don't half go hard and fast at it, for the first time this year my legs have really felt it. Not only that but they don't stop at the pub, but only for a banana at the roadside for 10 minutes. however we have usually done around 40 miles of hard slog by lunch time and then we retire to the pub afterwards.

Heres a quick puncture stop.

And here we are at the meeting point at 9am on a wet Saturday.

Apparently they even go out in the Snow.
They are however a very friendly crowd and we intend to continue to join them regularly for a Saturday ride, to stop the weight piling back on.


And the final chip score at a pub in Stanford in the Vale ( I'm sorry I have forgotten the name of the Pub) A very good 5 Saddles for the whole meal really, very good indeed, I will get the pub name from Sally eventually.

So this is it for the training, if we're not ready now we never will be.

Good luck everyone, and we will see you at the start line.

I hope you have a comfortable night at the Saddlers Hall. The 3 Amigos have opted for a luxury Hotel and a later start, let's face it I know what we are all in for.

There will be a final posting from me after the ride itself and I hope we can all appear in that one, so please let me have any good pictures that you take on the ride and any funny stories.

All the very best of luck to everyone.

Frances