Definitely one of the toughest recent rides, and the weather was still cold and overcast with a fresh Easterly wind - so great to get five out for an away ride. First issue was the parking! Station Road Car Park, indeed none of the Council car parks in Hungerford are free on Sundays. Currently Station Road Car Park can only be paid for using the PaybyPhone App. I failed to receive the required validation email and had to decamp to the Church Street car park which allows non-app credit card payment. Unfortunately, already 10 mins late, in my haste, I paid the incorrect amount and consequently ended up with a penalty charge .

After a glimpse of the "grey" horse at Alton Barnes the planned early stop at Honeystreet Cafe seemed a good decision. Despite a large group of cyclists (Chippenham Wheelers doing one of their internal "audaxes" we found a table inside and enjoyed their breakfast offerings.

The route then headed out Westwards via Bishops Cannings then Northwards to take in another rather faded white horse at Cherhill. After Compton Bassett the ridgeline at Clyffe Pypard loomed, scene of Louis' crash a couple of years ago. This time however we were climbing and what a stinker it is - steep and sustained! After that Hackpen Hill felt quite reasonable, but the cake and tea stop at Marlborough was much appreciated, even with less than an hour's cycling left to do.

A police "road closed" notice at the start of Chopping Knife Lane threatened us with enforced route change but fortunately the police officer was occupied trying to clear a stuck/crashed vehicle on the connecting road through to Mildenhall and we were able to carry our bikes past the police van which was blocking the road. At the end of Chopping Knife Lane a large recovery truck blocked the way but again we were able to carry the bikes past. The last part of the ride through to Hungerford was incident-free!

Thanks to everyone for a good outing on a cold day (and for waiting for a knackered and rather miserable leader on a few occasions).