Good conditions for riding today. The temperature was perfect and, although it was blowing a strong westerly, this didn't bother us too much.

The early bumps in the profile were soon dispatched and we went on to enjoy the bucolic lanes around Bucklebury and onward to Shaw House. The cafe there is quirky, set as it is in a 16th century manor house owned and run by Newbury council and free for you to wander around inside.

The food pickings looked a bit slim at first and it wasn't until after most of us had purchased from the selection of two or three mediocre cakes on display, that it was revealed under questioning that there was a secret fridge groaning under the weight of a thousand sandwiches (apparently they had not sold many for some reason). Those of us who had been at the back of the queue had the benefit of being able to choose from this range of butties that were amazingly value at £3.75. On balance I liked the place for its quirkiness, but some of the grumpier (hungrier?) members of group were not so impressed .

After lunch we took turns on the front to cope with the headwind and made good time back to Wantage. Two of us had a nice pint in the buzzing Alfred's Head garden and checked out the silver band playing in the market square.