A select group of three scraped the ice off their windscreens and drove over to Kintbury this morning. Although the sun was out for much of the day, the northerly wind kept the feeling chilly. This was fine on the way out as the tailwind and the generally downhill profile (well, after Walbury Hill that is) boosted us along nicely. Obviously, on the way back it was a different story and, although we were pulling hard into the headwind, we all still felt the chill. Special kudos to Phil for his massive pull on the front up the extended and exposed climb up from Vernham Dean. I needed all my jelly babies just to keep up.

This route and the scenery on it are really fantastic. The outward leg runs down the Bourne and the Test Valleys where the water courses are in full flow and quite spectacular right now. At several other places it reaches high points with impressive panoramic views. A route anyone could be proud of I think.