A familiar face joined us for a quick pre-ride chat at the Market Place, back from Zimbabwe early this morning. Welcome back John.

The group of five swelled to six with Simon joining us at Childrey and kept together well until four forked off for the optional climb of White Horse Hill. The climbers were rewarded with a rare sighting at the top of Hugo heading in the other direction. At Ashbury we turned South and were soon esconced in the rear "garden" at Bloomfields. Before resuming the ride Pete's diagnostic digits discerned an alarmingly loose cassette on Simon's bike. Simon decided to leave the ride and head home sedately to carry out repairs.

The remaining five returned to Wantage via Friar's Hill, Watchfield and Charney Bassett. Four of us enjoyed a discussion of royal history in Wantage's most appropriate hostelry.