Eight riders on a rather raw January day. A few glimpses of the Sun but mostly overcast and nippy.

A very enjoyable ride to Oxford via Boars Hill and the little climbed Foxcombe Hill (I think this is the first time I've been up this hill, been down it plenty of times!!). Oxford was quiet so no problems getting through the city and out via the pleasant traffic-free Marston Cycleway to Old Marston.

Up Elsfield Hill (this seemed like a mountain when I cycled up it as a child!) and along one of my favourite roads to Forest Hill. Up Ladder Hill (ouch) to Mill View Garden Centre where we managed to get there before the dead period between breakfast and lunch (11:30 to 12:00) so we could have hot food!

Louis suffered a pinch flat within a few minutes of restarting but that was dealt with swiftly before the flatlands back towards Wantage. A niggly headwind was quite sapping and we got rather spread out at one point but we regrouped and Pete and Jez did sterling work dragging us along.

A couple of riders peeled off home on the way to Steventon.

The Lain's Barn road was a pleasant alternative to the A338 into a headwind so we didn't mind the extra hill and we arrived back in the Market Place at 2pm.

A good distance for a winter ride so well done everyone