We had mixed fortunes on this ride.

On the plus side we did the whole ride in the dry, got to the cafe before the wind picked up, had a great fry-up and then enjoyed the now building tail wind back to Burghclere - all before the storm hit.

On the down side we had two punctures to deal with and an abrupt unplanned dismount caused by some residual pack-ice. But we dealt effectively with the punctures and the crasher picked themselves up and continued stoikelly on.

On balance I'm calling it a good day out. Everyone agreed this route is a belter and would be great in the summer.