The biggest issue on this pleasant ride through the sunny Vale, with a bacon butty stop at the Log Cabin in Southmoor, was whether to wear arm warmers.

On a balmy September morning the ride leader found his bare arms a tad chilly, but within 15 minutes was up to operating temperature. Others, let us call them the Goldilocks group, arrived with arm warmers, then we stopped while they removed them, then we stopped while they put them back on.

Anyway, when we sat outside Alfie's to have a drink after the ride no one was wearing arm warmers.

Despite a promising forecast it was a chilly start at South Cerney and Dave soon took up pacing duties to ensure we warmed up quickly. The three Corners at Nailsworth provided a very comfortable early coffee stop for us to contemplate the steep W climb up to Minchinhampton Common. Having clawed our way up we then lost all the height gain in the descent to Stroud. The climb up Whites Hill was soon upon us - each time I do it the climb seems steeper and this time the Wahoo indicated a short stretch of 20%. Once up on the escarpment there was the opportunity to take it easier and enjoy the extensive views first to the South East and then across to the Gloucester and the Malverns behind. A refuelling stop at Brockworth Subway provided an opportunity to overeat before the tough climb up Birdlip Hill. The relief at getting the three main climbs out of the way and the continued dry, though rarely warm, weather encouraged a fast pace through quiet Cotswold villages back to Cirencester. The return route shortened relative to last year seemed to work well as we arrived back at South Cerney at 1410, accompanied b y a few drops of rain.

Thanks to all for making this ride, one of the hilliest we tackle, so enjoyable!

Seven riders on a distinctly autumnal morning with a fresh gusting South Westerly wind. Good group riding and usual friendly service at Humble Bumble - a very pleasant ride. Four of us enjoyed some further banter outside the KAH.

Fortunately, the heavy rain had fallen a few hours before the start so while it was not raining, the roads were still covered in quite a lot of standing water and debris. The fab four made its way out West along the Spring Line and then onto Coleshill. Blakes Kitchen was already quite busy by just after 10, but there were still enough Cinnamon Buns for us all!! Just as we tucked into the refreshments, Simon Pittard and his daughter turned up. He was looking like he needed a break and some refreshments, but he kindly took a group photo. The allure of the cinnamon buns attracted the wasps, so refreshments were quickly consumed, and we were back on the bikes to tackle the remaining part of the Coleshill climb. Just after Goosey Andy left us to return home. We were back in Wantage by 11:45. Paul and I decided to have a quick drink, but due to licensing laws we were only able to get a no alcohol drink, so Paul tried the 0% Guinness and was surprisingly impressed. A good morning ride, with no rain, but dirty bikes.

The magnificent seven started from Wantage.
They traversed 6 kms of gravel without incident to coffee in Benson.
Only four made it back to Wantage.
Careless? No! All said their goodbyes along the way.
It was fun and a bit different. Thanks.

Three elite riders gathered in the square with some trepidation due to the yellow warning of thunderstorms that was in place. We decided that we had better get on with it. So we pointed Ben at Woodstock, lit the blue touchpaper and hung on. Boy what a ride! Eighty minutes later we pulled into Woodstock panting somewhat, having covered the 40km at an average of 30kph (18.6mph).

In Hampers deli/Cafe we devoured the excellent spanakopita (Greek style filo pastry filled with feta, spinach and other stuff) almost as fast. After a quick mooch around the back streets of Woodstock and a chat with the friendly guard at Blenheim back gate, we set of again but at a slightly reduced pace. The humidity and the earlier pace was telling on us a bit so we paused briefly for a refresher at The Fox at Leafield before heading home.

Not your typical Corallian ride, but nice to have the opportunity of an occasional burn-up when all the riders present are up for it.

The weather wasn’t quite as everyone expected, overcast with a slightly stronger southerly breeze. As the route out was predominantly riding East and West, the breeze wasn’t too much of a factor. We made it to Notcutts in Nuneham Courtenay in reasonable time and enjoyed some refreshments. The ride back was uneventful. The group kept together well and along the Steventon to Hanney Road (Hanney Road), we managed some tight two by two riding with pairs switching on the front. Louise left the group to make her way back to Standford in the Vale shortly after leaving Hanney. The remainder went back into Wantage. Overall an enjoyable ride.

A cheerful straightforward ride through the Vale,
Pleasant stop at Farm Shop in Shrivenham - were we their first customers of the day?
Tailwind back to Wantage before midday.
Easy peasy.

Five riders today for a hilly ride over to Aldbourne. The weather behaved itself apart from a short squally shower as we approached Ashbury on the Spring Line road. The cafe at Ashbury looked to be closed so there was no consideration of any early stop. From Fox Hill we enjoyed the downhill run to the Old Forge Cafe at Aldbourne for drinks and cake in the old forge itself. A rejuvenated peloton didn't dally on the return down the Aldbourne valley, up Eastridge, through Lambourn and Letcombe arriving in Wantage at 1330. Thanks to all for a sociable and well-disciplined ride.

Day 2 of the Welsh weekend away.
Everyone made it to the meeting point in the Cowbridge Town Hall car park, having sourced their breakfast at various points. The weather was much as forecast, warm, breezy with sunny intervals.
We were away on time, and we headed out of Cowbridge to make our way to the mountains. Again, we were met with a strong westerly head wind. The roads were relatively quiet as we cycled through Pencoed and onto Blackmill. Just after Blackmill we started the long 10km climb into the mountains to reach the summit at 531 metres (Mynydd Llangeinwyr). This is the highest mountain in the borough of Bridgend. Libby had kindly baked some traditional New Zealand cookies called “Afghans”, so these were enjoyed at the top as everyone took in the surrounding views. It was time to put on another layer for the long descent down into Maesteg. Unfortunately, due to the amount of climbing required in the morning and the over ambition nature of the ride leader, we missed are lunch reservation at the Corner House Inn, Llangynwyd, so alternative arrangements were sort, and we ended up have an Alfresco lunch at ASDA!!
While the large percentage of the days climbing had been completed, we still had another 600 metres of climbing remaining, so we got back on the bikes and continued the ride. After Llangynwyd, we headed up a very narrow track which got progressively steeper and overgrown. Near the top we were presented with a gate, which fortunately for me we were able to get through and continue the climb to the top and eventually meet an all together much more suitable surfaced road. The remainder of the route, which still had a few climbs, took us through the West side of Bridgend and back into Cowbridge. Once back in Cowbridge an Ice Cream refreshment was taken by those who did not have to rush off. It was a very pleasant way to finish the day and what was a very enjoyable weekend with excellent company – thank you everyone.