Day 2 Maidenhead to Hungerford
Quick facts:
Weather: H 28 cloudy with sun
45 miles
AS 7.65
2,300 ft of ascent (don’t put much credence in this… Garmin, Wahoo and Komoot all give different readings)
Check out Corner to Corner, Day 2: Maidenhead to Hungerford activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/VmADhslQpsb
Today’s start was fuelled by an excellent breakfast at the Travelodge then a trail across harvested barley fields and pastoral scenes. Quite an antidote to the busy canal paths in London yesterday.
We crossed and joined bridlepaths, actually being used by horses and riders, and climbed Knowl Hill Common.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowl_Hill
It didn’t seem as bad as several dog walkers dire comments eluded to as we peddled by but it all became clear as the grade did keep getting steeper. Finally I had to call “Uncle” and get off. Yesterday I got something tangled in my derailer in the weeds on the canal paths. Sam had readjusted the bike so I could again use the top ring… not a big problem on a crowded canal path going at 7mph max. Today however, I was on a steep hill and this time I couldn’t get into my lower ring - a bigger problem. So when the hill leveled out a bit I stopped and Sam again did his magic and got me peddling slowly to the top. It was a very nice ride down! Thx Sam.
The first coffee stop was at The Bull in Sonning - a ritual on this annual trip. It was along the Kennet and Avon canal which we followed most of the day after doing a little stint along the peaceful Thames. Although there were still many barges. It was not the packed parking lot of boats we saw in London. Quite a contrast.
As the website boasts: the PERFECT ENGLISH INN The Bull Inn
Historic Grade II* listed timber-framed pub and hotelin the picturesque village of Sonning with 7 boutique uwebedrooms, serving some of the best pub food around. Famously featured in “Three Men in a Boat”, Jerome described The Bull as the “veritable picture of an old country inn”.
The paths were generally in good condition for mountain bikes and in some places, impressive improvements by the Canal Trust have made the riding good enough for road bikes and likely electric scooters or wheelchairs. By the way. I cycled through Reading! For my Canadian connections who listen to CBC “As it Happens”…. Here is a sign post saying I was now six miles away.
I digress.
Lunch break was at the quaint Rowbarge, named for the passenger boats that rowed up and down this stretch.
We continued our peaceful ride to Newbury to a Costa for a coffee break. Good coffee is an essential part of this trip for the other adults in the group. James (10) and I are less fanatical. I started looking up « Best woman’s road bike seats ». Cycling Weekly vlisted the top 10 and the top 3 were Specialized. Ralph piped up that there was a Specialized Concept store not far away. Off we went as the others sipped coffee.
Matthew at Specialized Newbury did the required bum measurements…. and I left the shop with a woman’s Specialized Power Mimic. A lifechaging experience I recommend. Thx Matthew
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/stories/power-saddle-mimic
We continued along the Kennet Avon canal to Dundas Arms in Kintbury. Every bridge and swan looked quaint to me…
This photo shows a typical lock and the towpath we were following. We were fortunate that it was nice and dry.
Soon we crossed cattle gates with warnings to slow down because “cattle can damage cars”!
The Hungerford common is a quiet, peaceful pasture with large mature trees and open land where the cattle had grazed. No problem with any territorial bulls charging the bikes! I didn’t see any cattle at all.
We arrived at the Three Swan and what a treat! I rolled my bike into my room and straight into the accessible bathroom. I didn’t use all the amenities: lotion, quality shampoos, bathrobe or slippers but I did tuck the complimentary cookies and chocolate bars into my bag for cycling emergencies to come. Brett and James shawshowed off the fuzzy slippers under the table at suppertime.
Another excellent meal, a very comfortable bed and the end to a second great day.
Lorraine