A small but select group set out, and a route change was immediately requested and agreed, taking us up the Letcombe Approach to Mount Hackpen. It has to be said that Hackpen + Headwind = Drag!

After climbing up to the B4000, we then decided on diversion number 2, down to Eastbury, resulting in a flint puncture on the Lambourn Valley road for Chris. Fixed, but with the pub booking time looking challenged, we took diversion number 3 down to Boxford and over the Alp to get to the Red Lion in good time.

Lovely lunch and a couple of beers for some riders (ahem, Pete!), brought about the request for diversion number 4, so we went direct to Peasemore, Brightwalton and Chain Hill to finish. Even at 3pm, the gloom was descending.