Setting a winter route is real tricky. We are so at the mercy of the elements. I was out today route checking and the Chiltens were fabulous under bright blue skies, but if the thermometer is anywhere near 0C then Chiltern lanes are best avoided.
So the 'primary' route runs along the Thames Valley through Marlow and Henley, giving a direct route to Pangbourne, The route is somewhat faster than last year so given the Willy Warmer starts at 7:30 this year, most riders should all be past Henley before 9:00. For the brave and the strong, and in the hope that it will be glorious summer by the 31st Jan, I've included an alternate route through the Chilterns which bypasses Marlow and Henley. It's well short of grimpeur standards but the route is still reasonably challenging and will ride much slower than the direct route. Little Willy riders take the direct route out to Pangbourne as they get to see the Chilterns on the way home (unless they would like two bites at the cherry!). So something for everyone.
No Streatley by the way but some rolling downs to Hungerford, after which its mostly down hill all the way home!
