A more optimistic weather forecast than that from a day earlier proved accurate, and my new mud flaps were surplus to requirements. The three of us enjoyed a flat ride to Cogges on mostly quiet roads, with the notable exception of a few kilometres of the A361 into Burford , including at least one road which was new to me, the lane through Asthall. Cogges Manor Farm Cafe was quiet and provided coffee and savoury baps. The lane back to Stanton Harcourt was as peaceful (and rough) as ever. Louis left us at Longworth to head into Oxford to sing (for his supper?) leaving Libby and I to follow a slightly circuitous route back to Wantage Market Square which achieved the required three figures of kilometres.

Thanks to Libby and Louis for your excellent company!

Five appeared by 10:00 under King Alfred's statue including just one Phil.
We set off in the dry but that soon changed. Showers were forecast. As it turned out there was one persistent "shower" all the way to our stop at Blake's in Clanfield.
The ride leader treated the entire party to coffee and cinnamon buns to celebrate his significant birthday on Wednesday. (His loyalty card is now full - next bun is 'free'.)
We started the return leg in the dry, making good progress until the ride leader had a rapid deflation in Fernham due to a piece of glass in his tyre. Had it not been for this delay we would have made it back to Wantage in the dry but encountered a sharp shower approaching Denchworth.
Notwithstanding all of the above, it was a good autumnal ride.

It was a chilly Autumn morning, so everyone turned up fully kitted out, well, that is everyone apart from Dave, who was nursing a slight hangover and had been unable to find all his warm cycling gear including gloves. Nick S arrived in the nick of time, only to discover his front tyre was a little soft despite having pumped it up before leaving. He decided to go home and sort it out with the possibility of meeting us later. The ride started by going up Chain Hill with a slight headwind, so no better way to get the blood flowing, warm the extremities and shake off a hangover! Just as we were approaching Hungerford, we were met by Nick cycling towards us, with fully inflated tyres. Refreshments were taken at the Tutti Pole, which allowed Dave to thaw out. The temperature had picked up when we resumed the ride, and we made our way back to Wantage at a good pace. Despite all the recent heavy rain, we did not encounter too much standing water.

Louise joined us at the top of Sincombe Hill, having had to take the long way round to reach Wantage following yesterday's floods - so the slightly longer/slower route we took through Letcombe proved it's worth!

The ride was incident-free. We were expecting a lot of surface water on the roads but didn't find much, apart from the usual part-road-width puddles in the Lambourn Valley - and even enjoyed a a few fleeting glimpses of sun. Louise's local knowledge of Newbury led us to the King's Cafe near the clocktower which provided tasty teacakes for the three of us (other savoury and sweet options were available). After the coffees we did a quick recce of the town centre, locating the originally envisaged cafe next to the canal (The Old Tea Rooms) and headed back through Donnington, Chieveley and Lilley. Overall a very satisfying ride.

The weather was exactly as forecast: dry from 9 to 12. Overcast yes, autumnal for sure, but just the familiar trio: me, myself and I.
We had a pleasant outing on damp roads in dry air. Service was quick at Savages and I was back home in the dry by 11:45.
Bonus fauna - a peacock.

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.