Shea's idea of a great weekend

A bunch of us are getting together for an informal but testing hilly ride on Saturday 17th November. The ride is the same as Reading CC’s Torture 40 loop. The details and spirit of the ride are below and it's more like 45 miles taking in 11 of the toughest climbs in the Hambelden Valley just outside Henley. Believe me, there are some real beauties on this route. You can count on this being a 3hr 30min to 4hour ride. [So about 6 for me. Andy]
If you're interested, contact Shea on shindman(at)comset.co.uk (mobile: 07971 322805)

1. Route details:
   
   
2. Meeting point is 09:30 at the Car Park in Mill End (turn off the Henley-Marlow A4155 at Mill End and take the road towards Hambleden, Car Park is on the L.H.S.
   ATTENTION: I seem to recall there are height barriers for those transporting bikes on a roof-rack.
   
3. Feel free to invite your mates.
   

Please note a couple of dangerous locations:

• The descent back down Vineyard hill is steep with an uneven surface. We have had an accident there before. Please descend with caution, it will only cost you a few seconds.
  
• Similarly the descent down Ashfield Farm hill, near Ibstone, is steep and bumpy, not a place to take off your Gilet, for both these hills hang-onto your hoods well
  
• Early in the ride you join the main Henley-Marlow road (A4155) for a short while. This is very busy, again just take that extra second or so to check traffic before you join the road.
  

Gearing & Equipment:
Some of these climbs, particularly Ashfield Farm, Fawley and Vineyard are real knee-crackers. A triple or 25 sprocket is recommended, but if you can’t be bothered to take off the 23, then wear thick socks.
A light bike is good, but it is probably best if you leave you carbon rims at home for these descents, they are quite harsh on your wheels and good breaking surface is quite useful.
This is across a lot of small backroads, punctures are quite likely, do take a full kit. If you just have a C02 cartridge and a bit of shiny plastic you may have a very long walk home.

FINALLY: THIS IS NOT A RACE OR AN ORGANISED EVENT. THE COURSE IS CHALLENGING AND YOU MUST TAKE CAUTION PARTICULARLY ON THE DESCENTS. GOOD TYRES, BRAKES, SPARES ARE ALL ESSENTIAL.