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Welcome to LDWA Thames Valley's Monthly Newsletter
Apologies for the slight delay, recovery and other things got in the way of this bumper edition.
Forthcoming Social Walks
Normally we aim to have at least one Social walk every Sunday, this will generally be a 20 Mile and or 15 Mile Social Walk.
Sun 7th Sep 2025 c20ml. 09:00 Cowleaze Wood c.p (Max height 2m). (GR SU725956).
C2700ft ascent. Making our way gently towards Nettlebed with most ascent in the second half.
Sun 14th Sep 2025 c22ml. 09:00 Great Kingshill: c.p on The Common. (GR SU877981).
C950ft Ascent.
Sun 21st Sep 2025 c16ml. 09:00 Mill Lane c.p Henley. (GR SU770817).
C800 feet of ascent. Henley to Hambleden, via Hambleden Lock, up to Luxters, then Skirmett, Hambleden & returning to Henley along the north bank of The Thames. Possible coffee stop at Luxters or in Henley at the end.
Sun 28th Sep 2025 c25 or c16ml. 09:00 Lane End: c.p by the traffic lights. (GR SU807918).
25: via Dell's Wood, Fingest, Lane End, c1200ft then as 16, 16: slower pace via Pheasants, Marlow, Little Marlow, Clay Hill, c1400ft. All welcome (not just marshals).
Full Programme of Social Walks (there might be short notices walks added later)
Walk Leading Opportunities
There are opportunities to lead a Social walk on:-
Contact Andrew Beck (Walks Coordinator) at tv.walks@ldwa.org.uk if you would like to lead a Social Walk.
The Thames Valley Area can be seen here with a map of known walk start points.
If you have not lead a Social Walk contact the Walks Coordinator and assistance in planning and leading can be provided.
Other News
Challenge Walk Reports
Sussex Loops 2025 or Two 'Go Loopy' (again)
After tackling the Pick & Mix event at Wendover in June Shahina and Alison decided to 'go loopy' once more and take part in the Sussex Loops challenge event on Sunday 3rd August. With a base at the village hall in Forest Row (once voted the third poshest village in Britain) there were 3 loops: 12 miles south over Ashdown Forest, 13 miles west around Weir Wood Reservoir and 6 miles north over farmlands, with a total of 3,500 feet of ascent.
After chatting to two other Thames Valley members they set off at exactly 8am. The scenery was great, especially on the Forest loop, we enjoyed the abundance of stiles on the second loop somewhat less but made it back to HQ with 6 minutes to spare before tackling the final 6 miles - a quick refuel and turnaround, along with a quick pace were necessary to avoid the dreaded cut off of 7pm. With just 3 minutes to go we reached the hall, to a very warm welcome from the volunteers - yes we were the final finishers but we made it.
Weather conditions were ideal, the checkpoints well stocked and volunteers encouraging. Varied terrain and landscapes, we kept hearing the steam trains at The Bluebell Railway but never actually saw one, we came across some trails new to us - The Vanguard Way and The Greenwich Meridian Trail. The picture is of Stone Farm Rocks near to the Weir Wood Reservoir.
White Cliff Challenge 2025
After completing Surrey Tops in 2024 Andrew Beck decided to attempt the White Cliffs Challenge to gain the second part of the KSS Triple Challenge.
The route was 51.1 miles starting and finish in Deal in Kent. The route was west from Deal mainly on the English Coast Path/Saxon Shore Way through Dover to just before Folkestone. It continued west on the North Down Way before turning back north east using a lot of the Elham Valley Way before turning back south east to Deal at Bishopsbourne mostly along the North Downs Way (Canterbury loop) and Miner's Way Trail.
The event started in good weather at Betteshanger Sports & Social Club, there was a minor detour around the local kids football teams, slightly later the front of the pack got misdirected by a LDWA sign in to a field with no visible exit, this was off route, everybody backtracked a bit to get back to the route or found an exit from the field.
Once we reached the coast the 25 mph head wind became noticeable, with much higher wind gusts progress was a bit more challenging, especially up some of the steep ascents. We were rewarded with a fly past of 2 spitfires as we pasted the Battle of Britain memorial.
There was also a lot of fairly flat walking and good progress was made to checkpoint 3 (22.8 miles) for "lunch" but after that it started to rain but at least we were inland so the wind was not so strong.
The rain continued and got worse by the time I reached heights of the North Down Way, it was raining sideways as the 25mph+ winds had returned. This was very challenging as it had gotten dark at this point making navigation more difficult, especially as there were some newly ploughed fields to cross with no discernable path, this is where GPS came in very handy to keep you going in the right direction.
More waterproofs and a change of socks to a dry pair got me to the end in 15h28m.
All the checkpoints had great food, savouries were nice but the cake was the best. The volunteers were always welcoming, many thanks to them and the Kent LDWA for putting on a great event, shame about the weather.
120 participants of the 142 that started completed the 51.1 miles including a number of other Thames Valley members. Results Here
Now just the Sussex Stride 50 miler to complete next year.
  
Social Walk Reports
Lane End to Fingest Tea & Cake Walk Sun 24th Aug 2025
11 people took part in a 16m leisurely walk from Lane End which visited St Bartholomew's Church in Fingest for Tea and Cakes laid on by members of the church clergy. The tea and cakes were funded by Thames Valley from money made running challenge events.
 
Local Challenge Walks
Sun 12th Oct 2025 Marlow Donkey Last Few Places Left
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