Today's Ride
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Pipmeister
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Back home now in West Berkshire, so not quite the same glorious views that I had in Malvern.
These are the final few pictures of the Cold War Tour on the former Greenham Common Air Base:
The USAF used to put Aviation fuel in this mock-up of a plane, and then set it alight so they could practice putting out an aircraft fire :shock: .
Plane Mock-up_1 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Plane Mock-up by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Plane Mock-up Sign by Philip Mock, on Flickr
The Fire Hydrant is probably one of the most iconic American designs, and there are plenty of them still dotted about, buried amongst the Common’s vegetation.
Fire Hydrant by Philip Mock, on Flickr
The whole area is very well drained, so the Common can dry out very quickly. This time last year it was parched and very brown. It is good to see it looking so green.
Towards Midgham_1 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
This is looking North East across the Kennet Valley towards Woolhampton, which is the location of Douai Abbey, a former Benedictine Boarding School. It was used for some filming of Three Men and a Little Lady. I cycled over there at the time to see if I could catch a glimpse of the exceedingly handsome Tom Selleck – sadly not :roll:
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Towards Woolhampton by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Pip
Back home now in West Berkshire, so not quite the same glorious views that I had in Malvern.
These are the final few pictures of the Cold War Tour on the former Greenham Common Air Base:
The USAF used to put Aviation fuel in this mock-up of a plane, and then set it alight so they could practice putting out an aircraft fire :shock: .
Plane Mock-up_1 by Philip Mock, on FlickrPlane Mock-up by Philip Mock, on FlickrPlane Mock-up Sign by Philip Mock, on FlickrThe Fire Hydrant is probably one of the most iconic American designs, and there are plenty of them still dotted about, buried amongst the Common’s vegetation.
Fire Hydrant by Philip Mock, on FlickrThe whole area is very well drained, so the Common can dry out very quickly. This time last year it was parched and very brown. It is good to see it looking so green.
Towards Midgham_1 by Philip Mock, on FlickrThis is looking North East across the Kennet Valley towards Woolhampton, which is the location of Douai Abbey, a former Benedictine Boarding School. It was used for some filming of Three Men and a Little Lady. I cycled over there at the time to see if I could catch a glimpse of the exceedingly handsome Tom Selleck – sadly not :roll:
.Towards Woolhampton by Philip Mock, on FlickrPip
Very hot today.
A short loop today. Rode a loop i used ride when first getting back into riding after accident. My fitness has definatly improved as i found it quite easy today.
Lots of people out in the hot weather, quite a few swimming in the fishing lakes i passed, along with a huge fish which was swimming at the opposite end from all the bored looking fishermen
Really enjoyable ride.
A short loop today. Rode a loop i used ride when first getting back into riding after accident. My fitness has definatly improved as i found it quite easy today.
Lots of people out in the hot weather, quite a few swimming in the fishing lakes i passed, along with a huge fish which was swimming at the opposite end from all the bored looking fishermen
Really enjoyable ride.
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Pipmeister
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I did say that my last entry showed the final few pictures of the Cold War Tour of the former Greenham Common Air Base. There is however a bit more to show you. The Base was opened in 1942 during World War Two, and was used on and off until it finally closed in 1992, when the Runway was torn up to be used on the Newbury Bypass.
I discovered this area about 20 years ago, when it wasn’t quite so overgrown. Back then it really did resemble something from a film set or a T.V. Sci-Fi series. It is really tuck away and off limits, but I managed to sneak in through a hole in the fence. It is about a mile from the end of the Runway, and I assume that it dates back before the Cold War, and might even be from W.W. II – check out what remains of a lamp post in the fifth picture, which doesn’t look like it’s from the 80’s.
Presumably it was a logistics Depot, and the gantry structures were for unloading Military transporters. There are about 12 in total.
Air Base Depot by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Air Base Depot_1 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Air Base Depot_2 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Air Base Depot_3 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Air Base Depot_4 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Heading home now through Chamberhouse Farm. This is the river Kennet, which helps feed the Avon Canal from where it joins it at Hungerford to the West, until it enters the Thames at Reading to the East.
River Kennet Camberhouse by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Nearly home – this is Thatcham Lakes, which is about a mile from my place.
Thatcham Lakes 250819 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Pip
I did say that my last entry showed the final few pictures of the Cold War Tour of the former Greenham Common Air Base. There is however a bit more to show you. The Base was opened in 1942 during World War Two, and was used on and off until it finally closed in 1992, when the Runway was torn up to be used on the Newbury Bypass.
I discovered this area about 20 years ago, when it wasn’t quite so overgrown. Back then it really did resemble something from a film set or a T.V. Sci-Fi series. It is really tuck away and off limits, but I managed to sneak in through a hole in the fence. It is about a mile from the end of the Runway, and I assume that it dates back before the Cold War, and might even be from W.W. II – check out what remains of a lamp post in the fifth picture, which doesn’t look like it’s from the 80’s.
Presumably it was a logistics Depot, and the gantry structures were for unloading Military transporters. There are about 12 in total.
Air Base Depot by Philip Mock, on FlickrAir Base Depot_1 by Philip Mock, on FlickrAir Base Depot_2 by Philip Mock, on FlickrAir Base Depot_3 by Philip Mock, on FlickrAir Base Depot_4 by Philip Mock, on FlickrHeading home now through Chamberhouse Farm. This is the river Kennet, which helps feed the Avon Canal from where it joins it at Hungerford to the West, until it enters the Thames at Reading to the East.
River Kennet Camberhouse by Philip Mock, on FlickrNearly home – this is Thatcham Lakes, which is about a mile from my place.
Thatcham Lakes 250819 by Philip Mock, on FlickrPip
Double-E F
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Cool one, Pip!
Gotta love a bit of urban exploration every now and then; especially when on a retrobike
Gotta love a bit of urban exploration every now and then; especially when on a retrobike
VERY hot today.
Long ride around a loop i did a few months back, before the fields were harvested and ploughed. Very hard work across some of the ploughed fields and the heat and exposure making for a very tiring day.
It is a great little route though through some great landscapes and im really glad i made the effort.
Long ride around a loop i did a few months back, before the fields were harvested and ploughed. Very hard work across some of the ploughed fields and the heat and exposure making for a very tiring day.
It is a great little route though through some great landscapes and im really glad i made the effort.
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If you were in the UK over the weekend, then you'll know it was proper hot and sunny I loved it.
That said, the early bird catches the worm, and so Sunday and Monday I made sure to get out early doors to beat the dog walkers and the heat. I was rewarded with some mystical light coming through the rising dew. Whilst my local trails aren't demanding at all, it was still a pleasure to bomb about undisturbed and discover a few alternative routes.
If you were in the UK over the weekend, then you'll know it was proper hot and sunny
I loved it.That said, the early bird catches the worm, and so Sunday and Monday I made sure to get out early doors to beat the dog walkers and the heat. I was rewarded with some mystical light coming through the rising dew. Whilst my local trails aren't demanding at all, it was still a pleasure to bomb about undisturbed and discover a few alternative routes.
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