Loads of firsts on this ride - Dave and Louis were there in good time, and there were no Johns or Jons on the ride. We picked up Jarv at Rowstock, and scaled the gates to cross from Chilton to the bottom of Bury Down - the track wasn't in bad shape at all.

Zig-zagging our way over to Yattendon, we stopped at the village shop for coffee and free Belgian strawberries, courtesy of Eugene - what a nice chap!

The next phase of the ride was still up and down through to Tutts Clump, and then we took a very relaxed lunch in a very quiet Bucklebury Farm Park - also an Honesty Cafe.

Straight up after lunch, we wended our way through the north of Newbury and then up Snake Lane across to Hampstead Marshall, then eventually Kintbury.

All that remained was a brief ice-cream stop in Great Shefford before tired legs propelled the group at varying speeds up to the Ridgeway.

A very enjoyable but tough ride, made all the easier by really considerate riding by all - nice one!