Three elite riders gathered in the square with some trepidation due to the yellow warning of thunderstorms that was in place. We decided that we had better get on with it. So we pointed Ben at Woodstock, lit the blue touchpaper and hung on. Boy what a ride! Eighty minutes later we pulled into Woodstock panting somewhat, having covered the 40km at an average of 30kph (18.6mph).

In Hampers deli/Cafe we devoured the excellent spanakopita (Greek style filo pastry filled with feta, spinach and other stuff) almost as fast. After a quick mooch around the back streets of Woodstock and a chat with the friendly guard at Blenheim back gate, we set of again but at a slightly reduced pace. The humidity and the earlier pace was telling on us a bit so we paused briefly for a refresher at The Fox at Leafield before heading home.

Not your typical Corallian ride, but nice to have the opportunity of an occasional burn-up when all the riders present are up for it.

The weather wasn’t quite as everyone expected, overcast with a slightly stronger southerly breeze. As the route out was predominantly riding East and West, the breeze wasn’t too much of a factor. We made it to Notcutts in Nuneham Courtenay in reasonable time and enjoyed some refreshments. The ride back was uneventful. The group kept together well and along the Steventon to Hanney Road (Hanney Road), we managed some tight two by two riding with pairs switching on the front. Louise left the group to make her way back to Standford in the Vale shortly after leaving Hanney. The remainder went back into Wantage. Overall an enjoyable ride.

A cheerful straightforward ride through the Vale,
Pleasant stop at Farm Shop in Shrivenham - were we their first customers of the day?
Tailwind back to Wantage before midday.
Easy peasy.

Five riders today for a hilly ride over to Aldbourne. The weather behaved itself apart from a short squally shower as we approached Ashbury on the Spring Line road. The cafe at Ashbury looked to be closed so there was no consideration of any early stop. From Fox Hill we enjoyed the downhill run to the Old Forge Cafe at Aldbourne for drinks and cake in the old forge itself. A rejuvenated peloton didn't dally on the return down the Aldbourne valley, up Eastridge, through Lambourn and Letcombe arriving in Wantage at 1330. Thanks to all for a sociable and well-disciplined ride.

Day 2 of the Welsh weekend away.
Everyone made it to the meeting point in the Cowbridge Town Hall car park, having sourced their breakfast at various points. The weather was much as forecast, warm, breezy with sunny intervals.
We were away on time, and we headed out of Cowbridge to make our way to the mountains. Again, we were met with a strong westerly head wind. The roads were relatively quiet as we cycled through Pencoed and onto Blackmill. Just after Blackmill we started the long 10km climb into the mountains to reach the summit at 531 metres (Mynydd Llangeinwyr). This is the highest mountain in the borough of Bridgend. Libby had kindly baked some traditional New Zealand cookies called “Afghans”, so these were enjoyed at the top as everyone took in the surrounding views. It was time to put on another layer for the long descent down into Maesteg. Unfortunately, due to the amount of climbing required in the morning and the over ambition nature of the ride leader, we missed are lunch reservation at the Corner House Inn, Llangynwyd, so alternative arrangements were sort, and we ended up have an Alfresco lunch at ASDA!!
While the large percentage of the days climbing had been completed, we still had another 600 metres of climbing remaining, so we got back on the bikes and continued the ride. After Llangynwyd, we headed up a very narrow track which got progressively steeper and overgrown. Near the top we were presented with a gate, which fortunately for me we were able to get through and continue the climb to the top and eventually meet an all together much more suitable surfaced road. The remainder of the route, which still had a few climbs, took us through the West side of Bridgend and back into Cowbridge. Once back in Cowbridge an Ice Cream refreshment was taken by those who did not have to rush off. It was a very pleasant way to finish the day and what was a very enjoyable weekend with excellent company – thank you everyone.

Day 1 of the Welsh weekend away.
Everyone made it to Llantwit Major Beach café in good time to have a quick snack for lunch – the vegetarian rolls were a great success. The weather was not how it was forecast, but I guess that was to be expected, after all we were in Wales. We headed off away from the sea and made our way towards Cowbridge. The town was busy with Saturday afternoon shoppers and site seers. We left Cowbridge and headed west and hit the head wind. We made our way across country down narrow high hedge lanes, there was some routing challenges for the leader as his Garmin seemed to be playing up, fortunately, the dependable Nick kept us on the straight and narrow. We arrived at Ogmore-by-Sea at the Coffee Company Café and secured a seating bench overlooking the sea. Refreshments were taken and the views enjoyed. The same vegetarian rolls were on sale and those who did not have one for lunch, enjoyed them for afternoon tea. Once refuelled we headed back following the coastline, at various points members of the group left to cycle their accommodation.
We reconvened in the evening for a meal at the Plough and Harrow in Monkash. The pub was heaving, but fortunately we had pre-booked a table. It became clear that a live band (Boomerang) was due to perform later and we had the prime seats just in front of the speakers!! There was a lot of preparation work and looking at the ages of the band members, there was some concern we might be in for a interesting night of music, as it turned out they were excellent, playing a mixture of classic 60s numbers and Blues, including “Come on in My Kitchen” by Robert Johnson. Some of the audience also put on a good dancing show, it was an excellent evening of free entertainment.

11 of us arrived in good time at Wantage Market Place. We set off in bright sunshine and good formation splitting into two groups for our safety and the convenience of other road users.

We dropped a couple of Richards, by agreement, before taking a slight detour to the Community Store at Coln St Aldwyns for our pitstop where we enjoyed a leisurely coffee under canvas.

On the return leg we continued to enjoy picturesque Cotswolds lanes and a cross tailwind. We dropped further riders to take more direct routes home. Nevertheless, a majority of those who started made it back to the marketplace where a subset retired to a local hostelry for refreshment.

Thanks to all for an enjoyable ride and especially to Pete for sweeping.

A very pleasant temperature to start the ride from Wantage. The Newell’s cycled over from their house to join the start. A good turnout and nice to see John G feeling more his energetic self. We made our way over to Savages in Blewbury with some well-disciplined riding on the busier roads. By the time we reached Savages the temperature had increased so refreshments were taken in the shade. Pete had to reject his first cup of coffee on the grounds that it did not have much coffee in it, the second cup was an improvement. We made our way back to Wantage via Harwell and East Hendred, Claire and Andy left the group as we reached Upton. On arrival back in Wantage everyone was ready for cold refreshment so we enjoyed the garden of the Blue Boar.

At 6-20 I was wondering if a picture of my bike would be enough to prove I’d turned up to lead the ride (weather was windy and threatening rain). When to my surprise riders started to arrive from all directions.

We left the square and into a few drops of rain which thankfully didn’t get any worse and by the time we got to Denchworth had stopped. We made good time on the outward half either with a tailwind or shelter from the tall hedges.

The return was a bit slower but everyone did a turn or two on the front. An enjoyable ride made more fun with friends.

A few of us retreated to the pub for a quick drink.

Good to see new member Louise back joining six others by King Alfred. A band of rain had just passed across and the weather improved throughout the ride allowing us to sit outside the Jericho Café and have a good natter. We also realised how much extra seated space there is at the side of the café, as well as in the basement area. By this time Louis had left us to attend the Hiroshima memorial event in Bonn Square – we picked him up later as we passed through the city centre.
The group decided to take the riverside path from Folly Bridge but first we had to get across the Thames. After several attempts to find a way onto the pedestrian bridge, whose access is still partially blocked off after several years, we gave up and used the main road at Folly Bridge. The riverside path provided a pleasant respite from traffic but the continuation of it through the new Radley housing estate turned out to be incomplete – we should re-visit in maybe 6 month’s time. Nick and Richard dropped off the ride as we returned through Sutton Courtney, Milton and Hendred.
Thank you everyone for your company on this ride.