The promise of a flat, easy-paced ride tempted at least one non-regular rider back into the fold! This was an uneventful ride with plenty of social chat. Our attempt to patronise Annie's cafe in Abingdon was thwarted by their lack of staff, so we reverted to Java in the marketplace which was very efficient, although the church bells made conversation difficult at times. The square was buzzing as Freewheelers were holding their Abingdon Festival of Cycling, together with town-crier. A stiff pace was set across the flat lands to Hanney and the heat eventually wasted the leader in the final few kilometres - quickly revived by a cooling drink at Alfies.