At the start point in Lydiard Park Swindon there was a bit of discontent in the ranks due to the lack of coffee since the cafe there does not open until 09:30. My enjoyment of the travel mug of delicious hot coffee and the Jaffa Cakes I had bought with me didn't seem to help matters. Also, although the sun was shining, it was still a nippy 7degC plus windchill. Fortunately, for the first 25km this was a tailwind so we made good progress to begin with and the lack of caffeine was temporarily forgotten. On this leg we got mixed in with lots of other cyclists out riding the White Horse Challenge sportive. Pam seemed to know most of these and she chatted with several of them along the way. We contemplated nipping into their feed station but decided against it.

Turning into the wind towards Calne we started to put in a bit of effort so we decided, almost unanimously, to make an early coffee stop in the town. Now, doped up on double expressos courtesy of Louis, we continued on north through some delightful scenery in the valleys of the river Marden and of the river Avon. Climbing out of the valley up to RAF Lyneham afforded us some stunning distant views towards Chippenham.

At Lyneham we visited the cafe tucked around the back of the REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) museum. We sat outside in the sunshine next to a static helicopter but it was still naturally windy enough to play havoc with the flaky pastry on Louis' sausage roll. I was wearing half of it by the time he finished. After the cafe we got the full effect of the chilly headwind but fortunately it was only 15km to the finish.

The route was a big hit and the banter was free flowing. All round a great day out.

What was a cool evening but with some sunny intervals enticed out Paul J and Libby. We headed out to Denchworth into a cool north westerly wind and made our way across to Goosey and Kingston Lisle. The ride back to Wantage from there on in was facilitated by a tail wind. As we approached Wantage the black clouds started to gather in the distance and the temperature dropped further, so the refuge of the Blue Boar was very welcome. We swelled the bar numbers by a 100%. It was nice to see Paul J back in saddle.

With much of the squadron on overseas postings or otherwise deployed, there were just two Top Guns on the mission today.

As we made our way to RAF Fairford a consistent 25 knot headwind limited groundspeed on our stealth approach along a hidden flight-track through the bomb stores before we buzzed the tower. After a much needed (but not all that great*) in-flight refuelling at Lynwood's cafe we pressed on, staying below the radar along the beautiful rollercoaster backroad leading to the wildlife park at Burford. It was at his point that we felt the need, the need for speed. So, banking to the SE and picking up the strong tailwind, it felt like we had lit the afterburners as we blasted past RAF Brize Norton at speeds approaching Mach 0.035. Back home in record time for tea and medals. Top Fun.

Maverick & Goose highly recommend this route (but maybe not the cafe).

* accidental VEGAN sausage roll purchase in the face of limited options. Did they die in vain?

A lovely ride in early Spring sunshine.
A hilly route with plenty of lessons from Dave on how to go up hills. Considerate regrouping at the top before delightful descents.
We paused to admire the charity retirement centre in Froxfield before our pit stop at Cobbs Farm Shop.
Thanks to all for a great Sunday morning outing.

The weather had been a bit grim during the day so initially I wasn't feeling very enthusiastic about this ride. Against my expectations it turned out to be a very agreeable experience. Cheerful teammates, no rain and a strong tailwind along Seven Barrows all helped. Topped of nicely by a quality pint in the blue Boar afterwards. If you weren't there you missed out!

A ride of two halves:
- windy and a bit moist
- windy and windy

The forecast was pretty horrendous - 30 mph winds and heavy rain. As it turned out, we were overdressed for the light rain, which gave way to sunshine after our pitstop in Southmoor.

We set off with the wind at our backs. As we turned north towards Abingdon we were caught by some strong westerly gusts. Then we turned into the wind, but found quite a lot of shelter on our way to Munch. It's a great, no nonsense, value for money cafe.

The next leg towards Fernham was quite exposed in places - fortunately Richard and Phil were strong at the front and we kept pretty good formation. Then it became remarkably easy as we turned to the east!

Did I mention the 20 mph westerly gusting at times into the mid 30s?

Three riders set off from WMP in bright conditions, the strong wind from earlier in the day had died away which was good news. It was cool but not cold.

A pleasant pace was set out to Southmoor where I took the opportunity to check the condition of the path to the footbridge over the A420 before the Harlequin Hack uses it on Sunday.

On the way back we met Pete who had mistakenly assumed the ride started at 7pm and had been waiting at the Market Place for no one to arrive before the penny dropped and he rode out to meet us!

We got back to Wantage three minutes before sunset and three of us went to the Bear for post ride refreshments

Good turn-out on a warmish day that became progressively sunnier as it went on. Re-run of John's route from a few years back - there were a couple of navigational hiccups but I don't think anyone noticed! Our refreshments were split between the Spring Greens Cafe which provided bacon baguettes and the next-door Jericho Coffee Traders which provided coffees and cakes. At this time the sun emerged and it was pleasantly warm sitting outside (though there is inside space available). The Thames towpath was dry and in good condition dropping us off at Radley for the customary route back to Wantage via Abingdon, Peep O Day Lane, Steventon Hill and East Hendred. Louis, Pam and then Richard dropped off towards the end to make their own ways home.

I think everyone enjoyed the ride - I certainly did! Thank you for your company.

Many regulars have gone away for the easter weekend so only three riders turned out today. The original dining plans were re-jigged due to host illness, so instead we checked out the new cafe at Boxford called "The Boxford". All very tickety-boo and situated in a convenient location, but just a bit too posh for our purposes. The coffee was nice but the cake and the selection thereof was sh*te anyway .

The ride went smoothly as we coped with the chilly wind by putting in a bit of effort. Ermin Street was particularly busy, probably because people were avoiding the roadworks on the parallel M4. Some amusement was derived watching motorists trying to get through the closed & flooded road at Leckhampstead - wet feet were inevitable as they were forced to get out to move the barriers .