Rain was forecast so I sent out an alert to bring rainwear. This may have explained the unusually low turnout for what appeared to be a pleasant May evening.

We set off in gentle conditions running north through the vale. We crossed the Thames at Tadpole Bridge and along the Great Brook we saw a proud swan on their nest.

By the time we go to the Rose Revived rainwear was required and it was pretty soggy back up the Corallian Ridge to Longworth. The rain eased off through to Hanney and on to Denchworth.

We rode through Grove and Wantage in a torrential downpour. We did not hang around, preferring to seek a warm shower.

At least we missed the thunderstorms - they came much later.