Sunday, May 24, 2009

RCC Rides : Sunday June 7th









The Chilterns and Maharajah's Well.

Meet Richmond Station by 10.15 to catch the 10.29 to Reading.

We follow NCR4 on back roads out of town and up into the hills. At Stoke Row there is a exotic wellhead marking the gift of the Maharajah of Benares. After a pub lunch we continue down into Wallingford and back along the Thames using a quiet track for most of the way.

Despite a dire weather forecast nine of us made our way to Reading. We enjoyed a sunny ride through beechwoods to the Black Horse - the pub that time forgot - and enjoyed freshly prepared baguettes with our beer in the garden. After a thrilling descent we made our way along the foot of the hills past fields of white poppies. A red kite gave an aerobatic display. After pretty Goring we slogged along a bit of main road but then turned off to prettier Whitchurch and a bridlepath which got us back to Reading just as the rain started.

About 35 miles.

Route

1 comment:

sue said...

What a lovely ride. It was a nice crowd of cyclists, lovely country lanes, a beautiful old-fashioned and friendly country pub selling Hook Norton ales, some wonderful views and quaint cottages and lanes. The weather defied the forecast and was actually sunny for much of the day. Many thanks to Paul for organising and leading it.