A misty autumnal morning greeted the 14 riders in Winchester for a very pleasant tour around the South Downs.

We took the secret traffic free route out of the city and were soon onto quiet country lanes where cyclists outnumbered motorists by some considerable margin.

We were soon in West Meon for a café stop which was heaving with cyclists but we were served pretty quickly, apart from my order going missing!

The Sun started to come out as we headed down the Meon valley before turning at East Meon towards the biggest challenge of the day Beacon Hill. Nick S suffered a puncture just before the climb which gave us an excuse for a rest.

The hill out of the way it was a mostly downhill run back to Winchester via the Hockley Viaduct and the traffic free path alongside the Itchen Navigation into the city. For some reason my route avoided the cathedral completely which I had planned for a stop but as I was shepherding near the back it was too late to get the ride there and we ended back at the car park where most people decided to head home.

A lovely ride in lovely company. Thanks to Louis for sweeping the ride and thanks to everyone for coming out