Although mainly cloudy, it was plenty warm enough with the air being pretty humid. We saw John Groves going the wrong way on the Denchworth road on the way out and soon made it to the fringes of the Cotswolds, with a number of new (and pleasantly quiet) roads for most if not all riders.

Lunch at the Humble Bumble was a relaxed affair, with Phil and Louis leaving early (they claim it was a breakaway), and Richard peeling off at Bampton. Most of the riders found the climb out of West Challow to be a challenge in the temperature and humidity. Saw John Groves again back in Wantage, doing the school run.

We had a few chain-related mechanicals on the ride... need to get those gears tuned up to perfection!