Going North (of the M40)

Finally for this week there's a bike ride to tell you about. Last weekend I was able to head outon a new Chiltern loop, this time popping North of the M40 and exploring part of the Ridgeway I had yet to try.

There was a risk this would be a mud fest, but actually I found most of the route had drained well and was smooth and fast in places to ride. It's a loop that goes round a very steep escarpment and lets you enjoy the big hills with out too many killer climbs. The most noticeable thing was that it is clearly what I'm now going to call Spring, as lambs gambol in the fields.

In other wildlife moments I cursed my phone camera as a Red Kite settled down to eat just metres from me.

The ride managed to find a couple of treacherous chalk gulley downhills and some challenging climbs as it wound through the lanes and bridleways and had enough excitement to make it a perfect Sunday afternoon couple of hours.

Back to the car I was thoroughly satisfied and (for once) puncture free so there was just the desperate need for the loo to contend with for the drive home. A sunny March Sunday means peole everywhere you consider stopping for a wee.

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