We enjoyed a gloriously sunny autumnal ride in the Vale today.
The planned ride to Coleshill was amended to take in White Horse Hill and all agreed that the detour was worthwhile. (It's difficult to do justice to the view on camera - at least it is for me.) We each climbed West Dragon Hill at our own pace and were careful on the descent back to the Spring Line Road.
Navigation was also a bit of a challenge for the ride leader. Everyone else on the ride knew that the shortcut at the Watchfield Roundabout was blocked by a fallen tree.
As ever, the cinnamon buns were excellent.

Maybe it was the forecast of rain showers or the strong westerly breeze that deterred riders, but only two appeared. The ride out to Farringdon via Baulking was hard going at times with a brisk westerly wind. Despite that, we were in Farringdon by just after 10:00. We decided to try Sadlers, which was slightly quirky, but had excellent cakes and coffee. The ride home was slightly easier with the some tailwind assistance. Had an unusual encounter with a car going down Sandy Lane, he was particularly impatient sounding his horn wanting to pass, which did not endear himself to Pete and at the junction Pete was verbally abused, despite the driver having a young baby in the front seat. The rest of the ride back to Wantage was uneventful and as it turned out we were too early for drinks at King Alfred’s Head so we made our respective ways home.

Nice bright and dry morning. Five members congregated next to KA, plus Phil, potential new member - welcome Phil. After a few hundred metres Louise dropped out, victim of a mechanical (we think!). The remaining five kept up a good pace - largely to keep warm - out to Aston Pottery, where we enjoyed a sunny spot and quick service. After an early close pass the motorists behaved themselves and so did our bikes. We took a chance on Great Brook and were surprised to find a couple of very minor, passable flooded sections despite the largely dry autumn - it's likely to quickly become impassable after another day of heavy rain. Two of us topped up our caffeine levels post-ride in the new coffee shop. Not much else to say - it was a good, well-disciplined ride.

The cooler weather from the North was certainly evident, which may have explained the lack of riders which gathered in Lambourn, to be precise, only two set off. Phil had ridden over from home so was warmed up and ready for a coffee, no luck, Goodies was not open. We set off and reached the Three Trees Café, but that was not open, it was therefore Mercer’s of Marlborough next stop, that was not before we tackled Hackpen Hill, the second Hackpen Hill Phil had ridden on this ride!! Mercer’s of Marlborough was a welcome break. The ride home, into an ever cooling Northerly breeze, was fortunately less hillier and shorter. As we reached Lambourn the sun started to appear – overall an enjoyable ride.

Maybe not the best route to have chosen with a strong southerly wind which added to the challenge of getting over the ridgeway to Lambourn and then to the Kennet valley. But it was worth it as we navigated the lanes around Inkpen to arrive at the Crown and Garter cafe, which was thankfully nice and warm.

The wind certainly blew us home nicely, although the drizzle continued to get worse and eventually the last of us (me!) had to succumb to the rain jacket!

Thanks to all who braved the elements, a good ride out

Only three of us this morning! We set a good brisk pace until we arrived at Hannington. As has been the case for well over a year now we took the "closed" road over to Kempsford to discover that work on the section just after Hannington Bridge is well under way and has completely closed off access to all traffic, even pedestrians. Reluctant to backtrack to Hannington, a short detour via a barbed wire fence, locked gate and field, got us back on route. The Magic Beans cafe was very quiet and provided some excellent breakfast butties. Back in Wantage for 1250 - nice ride with little traffic.

A sixes and sevens ride. Six at Alfie’s statue. Seven from the top of Hackpen with one drop off on the way back … or maybe two!?
We didn’t dine at the Farm Shop (no space for seven) but found space in the unseasonably mild garden at Bloomfields.
The strong southerly was a persistent theme on this ride.

It was a beautifully sunny autumnal day, with a slight blustery south westerly wind, just what was needed to tackle Hackpen Hill to start!! Four riders took up the challenge and we were soon warmed up and well on our way to Hungerford, with a few other climbs before arriving around 10:30. Refreshments at the Tutti Pole café were delivered efficiently and it wasn’t long before we were back on the bikes to tackle the remaining climbs back to Wantage. Overall a reasonably tough ride not aided by the wind, but enjoyable even so. Once back in the market place everyone went their respective ways home.

A good group of 10 assembled in the Market Place on a bright autumnal morning. We headed out to Boars Hill via Longworth and Appleton and then down via Radley to Abingdon. We sat outside at a busy Riverside Cafe which was very pleasant before heading home via the Moretons and East Hagbourne where we encountered the gusty westerly winds.

A day of avoiding and navigating multiple road closures and overall a good ride out. Numerous people dropped off on the route home - well done to Pete, Peter and James for completing the advertised route and especially Jan who did this after doing a marathon at the weekend!

The nice sized group of 9 enjoyed a pleasant autumnal morning with a fresh breeze that felt quite strong between Uffington and Shrivenham. The one appreciable hill at Kingston Lisle warmed us up and we were soon settling in to hot drinks and cakes at the cafe at Ashbury. Needless to say we all spread out a bit on the ups and downs of the Springline road but with that tailwind rapid progrees was made back to Wantage to be greeted by the Alfredfest ceremonial procession. Apparently King Alfred died on this day (26 Oct) in AD899 - though not I think in Wantage! Three of us enjoyed some light refreshment at the KAH where it was just about warm enough to sit outside.