Rail Strike - 2x100 km Focus on Two Villages
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, easily accessible from the Elizabeth Line.
First 200 of 2023 - Cake and Climbs
With a dry day forecast for Monday 2 January I registered a 200 km DIY to take me to some of my favourite places in the Chilterns. Recalling advice that it is preferable to start, rather than finish, in the dark, I set off shortly after 7 am to take one of my many routes to the west.
The route took me to a hot drink and homemade cake at the Ewelme Village Store before turning north through Cuxham to the A40 old Oxford to London road for a long but easy climb to Stokenchurch. It was then downhill through the picturesque village of Hambleden to the weir at Mill End. The route then took me on familiar roads passing the Velolife cafe at Warren Row before passing through Maidenhead for the return to West London.