Six of us turned up at King Alfred's statue. One (the so-called leader) with a broken wahoo and one without any tools or spares in the event of a puncture.
We stopped for a pucture within the first 10 minutes - the cyclist was equipped to repair the tyre pierced by a sharp flint washed into the road by recent rains.
We were taken aback when we saw a 'closed' sign at The Cherry Tree before we realised that it's always there by the garden gate. We sat outside, provide with blankets to keep ourselves warm, enjoying our brunch.
The return ride was relaxed in glorious warming sunshine.