It all started so well with 8 riders eager to venture into Oxford. Louis left us just before Cumnor Hill as he was feeling the effects of very little sleep. As we approached Botley Road, unfortunately Nick D hit the kerb while moving into the cycle lane and had a nasty fall. Assistance was given while he composed himself. he was clearly in a lot of discomfort so it was decided to contact his wife to get him to the JR for a check-over. While we waited we took the opportunity to get a coffee from Taylors across the road. We safely helped Nick into this car and continued the ride, missing the planned coffee stop. While we had some tailwind assistance on the way back to Wantage it did feel like hard work at times. As we approached Wantage riders slowly dropped off and we arrived back in the market place with 4. The diagnosis from Nick was a fracture of the pelvis and fortunately no surgery. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Sunny morning and just about the right temperature. Nice to see Jez and Nick again after a while. Not a lot to report - busy at Coleshill - just a very pleasant ride.
Thanks everyone for your company.

It was a bit of a bumpy start to the ride! The Wantage Greenway quickly reminding us why we enjoy riding on roads (despite the potholes!) and by the time we reached the Harwell Campus, the ride leader was thinking that taking the A417 to Blewbury would have been a better option.

Fortunately, the lanes from Blewbury across to Wallingford were a lot more comfortable and the views across the parched landscape as picturesque as ever. The route then took us out of Wallingford, heading for The Chilterns through Crowmarsh, with a distant view of Rowan Atkinson's "space-age petrol station" residence above Ipsden and on to visit Philip Koomen's idyllic workshop at the top of "Furniture Maker's" hill near Checkendon.

Phil kindly provided refreshments, some insight into the life and times of a bespoke furniture maker and a tour of his workshop. Fed and watered we headed back to Wantage via Goring, Aldworth and Compton, with a bit of up and down along the way!

A longer ride than usual, but enjoyable to have an interesting stop.

A loop out to Henley from Cholsey. Lots of road closures giving us quiet roads over large parts. Quick coffee stop at Henley Piazza.

Another beautiful day to be out on the bike with a flattish route stopping in Abingdon which was looking lovely by the river

A green ride, we said.
Peep O Day Lane was green.
Rest of landscape was mostly yellowish brown.
Coffees at Java in Abingdon Market Place were not green.

Chain Hill was the usual 3 mile slog but the subsequent long and smooth 14 miles of gentle downhill made it worth it. We slid almost unnoticed through hidden suburban backwaters of Newbury, passed respectfully through a shopping trolly graveyard, eventually mooring up at Aldermaston Wharf. Here the cakes and sausage baps (served by a bored looking collection of teenagers) were very decent and service was quick. Recommend.

After the Wharf the route went along the canal then through some stunning coniferous woodland, almost Mediterranean in character. Many of the lanes around here were new to us and made for good riding. Plus we had the excitement of having to give way at canal swing bridges to let narrow boats through - twice!

A good day all round and with a nice pint afterwards for those who fancied it.

It was a nice temperature to start the ride and just as we were gathering in the Market Place we were joined by John Groves, who was going for a cycle on his own, but it was nice to see him on his bike.

We arrived at Lynwood & Co in Lechlade in reasonable time and fortunately it was not too busy.

The route back took us along some quiet lanes until we reached Littleworth and we had to negotiate the short ride along the A420. We were back in Wantage by around 13:30 to be greeted by Jan, she had missed us at the start due to long queues at the post-office, but had done the ride with a few diversions so she was added to the list of riders!