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
