Rail Strike - 2x100 km Focus on Two Villages
Stay Close to Home
Thursday 20 July was a rail strike day. Although I’ve completed many 200 km rides without problems, I always like to know that I could get rescued to a rail station. I decided to ride a figure of eight from West London, first west then roughly north-west, never too far from home. My focus for the day was to take photos of two villages and to sample two cafes I’d noticed on previous rides. This 200 km ride would make two enjoyable 100 km rides, both easily accessible from the Elizabeth Line.
100 km West
Leaving at around 6.30 am I met very little traffic and the first couple of hours were very comfortably cool. Turning left then right to cross the A321 Wokingham road, I stopped to take a photo of the pond where one cyclist was already sitting on a bench. To the right of the lifebelt you may be able to see a noticeboard; this has a map of all the rights of way in the area.
Hurst village pond
Riding on, I stopped to take a photo of one of several substantial cottages.
Woodcott, Hurst
I rode past St Nicholas School where parents were taking their children to their last but one day before the summer holiday. Shortly I reached Hurst Village Halls, impressive buildings as seen from the road with some “temporary” buildings to the rear.
Hurst Village Halls
From here the road bears left and climbs - gently - along Church Hill to St Nicholas Church on the right and the Castle Inn on the left.
In the church yard just beyond the bench is a memorial to all those who fell in the Great War of 1914-1918, the “war to end all wars”. To me, this seems a surprisingly large number of men from what must have been a small village. All the more poignant is the number of those with the same family name, perhaps brothers who died in the same pointless war.
War memorial
The Great War was to change the face of the English countryside. Men whose ancestors had been born, lived and died on the same estates and other farms were sent abroad and realised that there was a life outside their former narrow confines. No longer would many be content to work for the landed gentry on the same terms as their forebears.
Shortly after the Church and Castle Inn stand the large and impressive almshouses with an plaque above the main entrance door.
Leaving Hurst I rode on, taking a familiar route. Whether you are on a gentle leisure ride or taking part in a competitive event, it is vital to keep drinking and eating. I sipped at my 33Fuel energy drink and at a bidon of plain water and took a few bites of a 33Fuel Amore bar; and, no, I don’t get rewarded for mentioning these products. I believe in them and have been using them for years. Good though energy bars and gels are, “real food” has an important place. I stopped in the churchyard of All Saints at Binfield to take a short break and eat a couple of sandwiches. If you don’t want to take your own food, there’s a cafe with good cycle parking in Binfield.
All Saints Church, Binfield
Having made an early start, I was under no time pressure. On other rides I had noticed a brown road sign for “Honesty Cafe” at Tally Ho Farm on Crouch Lane, (about 66 km into my ride). An article in the Bracknell News states “Honesty Café, which is an expansion of the West Berkshire and Hampshire Honesty Group have created a space at one of the UK’s largest equestrian centres offering a variety of light meals, snacks and drinks.
With inside and outside seating areas, the views across the fields make an excellent relaxing atmosphere for a light lunch or delicious Argentinean cuisine.”
The Scandinavian cake looked tempting but as others were queuing for their coffee, I decided to move on as I had already decided on a cafe stop for the afternoon. Another ride, another time!
Honesty Cafe, Crouch Lane, Winkfield, SL4 4RZ
100 km North West
The afternoon’s route took me north-north-west into the Chilterns, through Amersham with a pause at the small village of The Lee at just under 50 km into the ride. On my last ride I’d passed the Cock and Rabbit pub with its board announcing “Cafe au Lee”. The pub is under new management and is undergoing some very tasteful refurbishment. I sat outside the main door, with a view across the green. A couple on Whyte e-bikes arrived and took their drinks into the garden at the side. I had a slice of cake - a generous portion by these inflation ridden days - and a cup of tea made with a good quality teabag for £6.
Suitably refreshed, I rode on. From Leyhill Common I’ve usually taken the middle of the three roads - Ashridge Road - which eventually leads to Horse Hill. The last section of this is narrow, stony and steep as it descends to Flaunden Hill. On this ride I took the rightmost of the three roads, Blackwell Hall Lane. This too becomes narrow for a short stretch but is a much easier ride; it has the bonus of leading to Codmore Wood Road which has some great views of countryside and farm buildings.
Before long the route arrives at Latimer, the second of my two villages in focus. On the right is the Church of St Mary Magdalene.
St Mary Magdalene, Latimer
Shortly I stopped to take a photo of Latimer Cottage, a very substantial building and a far cry from the humble cottages of the 1800s.
Latimer Cottage
As the road winds into the centre of the village, there are two cottages on the left and another with a neat garden.
Turning right in the centre, I passed the village well. Many villages in the Chilterns relied on wells for their water supply before the days of piped mains water. It is not always easy to appreciate that water does not flow uphill!
Well at Latimer
From there the road drops down to the Latimer Road for a climb to Chenies that seems to become flatter the more times I ascend it.
The Tour de France brings us images of beautiful French villages. I hope that I have shown two of the many beautiful villages England has to offer.
