It was the perfect day for a morning ride - sunshine and a light breeze. We made our way out of Wantage and stopped off at The Great Coxwell Barn for a quick look around before heading onto Blake's Kitchen. Fortunately we arrived just in time, before the rush of walkers and other cyclists. The ride home was at a good pace with everyone taking their turn on the front. Arrived back in Wantage at midday just in time for a swift drink at KAH.

Dry ride with some sunny intervals. Four of us set out for Letcombe and were soon joined by Pete (after a late weather check). A closed bridge at the Letcombe cress beds necessitated a back-track and extra climb up Windmill Hill. The climb and descent from Sincombe Hill were into a stiff headwind but the climb up Eastbury Hill on recently resurfaced tarmac was very pleasant - although drivers have also discovered this. At Aldbourne the Forage was closed for the day (family bereavement) but the Post Office cafe provided a nice table at the back and decent cakes, sausage roll and coffee. For some reason I'd chosen the B4192 climb up to Wanborough plain, forgetting how broken the surface is towards the top, but we were soon enjoying the undulations of the Spring Line road back to Wantage.

No ride - No ride leader available

Despite the heavy rain that fell a few hours before the start of the ride, five riders turned up. The ride out was at a strong pace with the assistance of a good tailwind. Just as we passed through Appleton, Nick had a puncture, which was repaired efficiently. We arrived The Cherry Tree Cafe to find the extension work still ongoing, but fortunately there was space inside. Good coffee was enjoyed by all, even if the egg bap, according to Pete was only average. The ride back to Wantage was enjoyed primarily in sunny spells, but as we approached Denchworth the rain started, but we managed to avoid the worst of it. A number of riders turned off to make their way home. The ride ended in the Market Place with two riders. Considering the forecast it was an enjoyable ride.

The Chiltern Hills were looking good in the sunshine and gave a nice bit of variety from our home patch. An impromptu stop to view the Nuba Survival sculpture provided a bit of culture and a poignant image. The planned stop at Maker Space Cafe provided a (large) bit of cake and a potent coffee. All were appreciated in their own way. A nice ride all round.

Mad dogs and….6 Corallian riders…go out in the midday sun!!!

A replanned simple trip to Clanfield considering the record May temperatures, with mostly a gentle flat route. Despite the heat, we all survived and enjoyed some respite in the air conditioning of the Clanfield cafe.

All 3 “climbs” were on the homeward leg and taken at easy pace.

Good to get out, but also good to get home and cool off in the shower.

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.

The road surface was a bit of a shock for the two riders who last week rode 600k on smooth Provençal roads.
We set off on the undulating section of the route along the spring line road into a solid headwind. It got easier after Bishopstone as we turned towards our coffee stop. The farm shop in Shrivenham served excellent coffee and cakes accompanied by soothing classical music.
And the return was wind assisted!!

Twenty four finishers in the Harlequin Hack, with one Corallian, Louise. Louis, not quite recovered from a recent illness, got as far as Cogges before abandoning. Twenty finishers in the Blowingstone White Horse, again with one Corallian, this time Pam. The weather was fine, though certainly not hot, and judging by the many favourable comments at the end, both events were enjoyed by the participants.

A big thank you to everyone who helped us out with the running of the two audaxes: Tracey, June, Sue and Nick D; Hugh and Nick D for manning the controls, and Kath, Andy and Hugh for route checking the new Blowingstone White Horse route.

Thanks to the generosity of the riders a total of £139 was raised for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.