A select group of three scraped the ice off their windscreens and drove over to Kintbury this morning. Although the sun was out for much of the day, the northerly wind kept the feeling chilly. This was fine on the way out as the tailwind and the generally downhill profile (well, after Walbury Hill that is) boosted us along nicely. Obviously, on the way back it was a different story and, although we were pulling hard into the headwind, we all still felt the chill. Special kudos to Phil for his massive pull on the front up the extended and exposed climb up from Vernham Dean. I needed all my jelly babies just to keep up.

This route and the scenery on it are really fantastic. The outward leg runs down the Bourne and the Test Valleys where the water courses are in full flow and quite spectacular right now. At several other places it reaches high points with impressive panoramic views. A route anyone could be proud of I think.

And then there were five! After a chilly start, spoiled by the recent warm weather, the starting group of six lost Louise at the airplane roundabout, victim to some type of seat/saddle breakdown. With a good steady pace and a following Northerly wind we warmed up nicely in the sun through Hatford and some rather over lengthy 4 way temporary traffic lights we negotiated the short section of the A420 safely prior to the descent of Littleworth Hill and the climb up to Faringdon.
The road down the hill from Badbury Clumps is in a particularly poor state but we soon rattled our way into Coleshill and found a cosy spot in Blake's to enjoy coffees and their celebrated cinnamon buns. The return ride was equally uneventful but still pleasurable despite the headwind.

The short flat route and spring-like weather tempted club members out of their Corallian hibernation. The ride leader led on the outward stretch into the gentle easterly. The winter gym bunny demonstrated his power on Sires Hill and we arrived at Style Acre in good order.
The ride leader had an afternoon choral commitment so pushed on and the peleton split, by prior agreement, on the return leg to Wantage as tired legs made their presence felt.

Another beautifully sunny day for Shrove Tuesday, a day for making confessions prior to the commencement of Lent. Enough of the religious origins of Shrove Tuesday. “Gravel man” Pete, suggested rather than go along the A417 from East Hendred to Rowstock we continue along the Icknield Way to Harwell so he could enjoy the virtues of his gravel bike, there was a majority agreement to this change of route. All was going well until we arrived in Harwell and before we knew it we were split into three groups. Four of us re-grouped just before the Chilton interchange and waited for Pete and Phil – no sign of either of them, had they decided to continue along the gravel track to Hagbourne Hill so Pete could continue to enjoy the delights of his gravel bike? No – may be it was divine intervention, but “Gravel Man” Pete had a puncture! It was repaired quickly and we continued the ride to Wallingford, stopping at the Wallingford and Cholsey Railway Café. Refreshments were enjoyed in the warm sunshine and no confessions were shared. The route back to Wantage was without incident and we managed to keep in tight formation. Louise, headed back home via Grove, while the remainder of the group went up “Benchworth Hill” aka King Alfred Way and through Kingsgrove Estate back into Wantage. A great ride and a lovely day to celebrate Shrove Tuesday.

A cracking day for what turned out to be a cracking ride .

Team spirit was boosted by our coming together to overcome errant pheasants, one incompetent and moody Mercedes driver, potholes, one puncture and by the execution of some tight formation riding on the return leg. It was a delight to behold.

The Cricklade Club was heaving, with a sign outside saying "fully booked until 1pm" but, after a little negotiation, we managed to secure a spot. They serve excellent bacon butties among other things. Louis in particular made sure to sample a good range of their food offerings.

We made a relaxed stop in Bampton on the way back to take cans of pop and cream eggs etc while sitting in the glorious sunshine. This was one of those rides where you just didn't really want it to end.

Only three of us on another Spring-like day. Great to be able to sit out in the sun at Cafe Bella where the freshly baked fruit cake arrived just in time! Thanks guys - very enjoyable ride.

It was a blustery morning but with no rain expected until around 12:30. Five riders gathered in the Market Place, including Andy who had ridden over from home. The ride to Abingdon was very smooth and relatively fast with the aid of the tail wind. Refreshments were taken at R&R. We were expecting a tougher ride back to Wantage, but apart from the initial part out of Abingdon into Culham and the last part out through Grove the wind wasn’t too bad, there was the occasional heavy gust. We got back to Wantage before the rain and stronger winds set in. All-in-all a good ride considering the expected weather.

Our routes out through the vale to Faringdon were icy so we reversed the route and went out via Highworth. The bright sun soon put us in fine spirits along with a helpful tail wind.
Lynwoods in Fairford was as welcoming as the devil in the church was forbidding.
The return into the wind was a bit tough and the climb up from Lechlade to Faringdon was demanding as ever. We chose the new crossing over the A420 towards Farnham - a considerable improvement - and split apart as we took our various ways home.

Definitely one of the toughest recent rides, and the weather was still cold and overcast with a fresh Easterly wind - so great to get five out for an away ride. First issue was the parking! Station Road Car Park, indeed none of the Council car parks in Hungerford are free on Sundays. Currently Station Road Car Park can only be paid for using the PaybyPhone App. I failed to receive the required validation email and had to decamp to the Church Street car park which allows non-app credit card payment. Unfortunately, already 10 mins late, in my haste, I paid the incorrect amount and consequently ended up with a penalty charge .

After a glimpse of the "grey" horse at Alton Barnes the planned early stop at Honeystreet Cafe seemed a good decision. Despite a large group of cyclists (Chippenham Wheelers doing one of their internal "audaxes" we found a table inside and enjoyed their breakfast offerings.

The route then headed out Westwards via Bishops Cannings then Northwards to take in another rather faded white horse at Cherhill. After Compton Bassett the ridgeline at Clyffe Pypard loomed, scene of Louis' crash a couple of years ago. This time however we were climbing and what a stinker it is - steep and sustained! After that Hackpen Hill felt quite reasonable, but the cake and tea stop at Marlborough was much appreciated, even with less than an hour's cycling left to do.

A police "road closed" notice at the start of Chopping Knife Lane threatened us with enforced route change but fortunately the police officer was occupied trying to clear a stuck/crashed vehicle on the connecting road through to Mildenhall and we were able to carry our bikes past the police van which was blocking the road. At the end of Chopping Knife Lane a large recovery truck blocked the way but again we were able to carry the bikes past. The last part of the ride through to Hungerford was incident-free!

Thanks to everyone for a good outing on a cold day (and for waiting for a knackered and rather miserable leader on a few occasions).

I suppose this was one of the better weather days for a while. Although it was grey, quite cold and there was plenty of standing water, at least it wasn't windy and it didn't rain.

To cheer ourselves up we blasted along to Brize Norton at a decent lick. It was fun. Arriving hungry at the Humble Bumble cafe we were a bit deflated to find that pasties had completely run out and sausage roll stocks were dangerously low. I used my advanced cafe skills to snag the last traditional sausage roll while others had to make do with a dodgy marmite contaminated version.

Just as we were leaving Louise turned up after having missed us at the start. She ordered coffee and then gave us permission to go on without her, which we mercilessly did.

The last leg was going to smoothly so I introduced an element of jeopardy with a slow puncture. The tension within the group was palpable as I attempted to nurse it home with just a blast from the CO2 cylinder and unweighting of the rear wheel. I made it!!