Weather conditions were slightly cooler and ideal for this climb filled ride. Six decent climbs were cut down to size by the seven samurai riding today on this figure of eight route. In true samurai style we made an early stop to conduct the all important tea ceremony at Hambleden village shop & tea room. Not only is this a lovely village, used as a film location on many occasions, but it is here that I experienced the revelation that is the Cruffin, a hybrid croissant/muffin filled with coffee cream.

Leaving this charming setting behind, a few more hills had rekindled our appetites by the time we got to the lunch stop at Coffee on the Green in Stokenchurch. Here several variations on the bacon butty were consumed (some even involving avocado - la de dah!). Having already visited two cafes that were new to us we decided that we could, after all, go more than 30km between cafe stops and so we skipped the Spoke & Spire at Watlington and powered on up Watlington Hill relying on our reserves. The reward was a great 15km long decent from Christmas Common down to the cars at Benson. The Chiltern scenery was great and I saw many places new to me. Thanks for your company everyone, a top day out.

Extra kudos to Dave and Louis who rode out and back from Wantage to make imperial century rides.