1st September and all of a sudden the air temperature feels cooler, but not to worry, Court Hill never fails to warm you up, so wardrobe adjustments soon began with the removal of arm warmers. It turned out to be a fantastic, late summer day, perfect for quite a challenging (lumpy!) ride across the downs, suitably rewarded with the delights of The Pantry at Yattendon. There were a few lumps on the way home too, but a speedy cruise down Chain Hill, back to Wantage market square left everyone with a smile on their face.

A great route that I totally ripped-off from the Ride Cotswolds sportive with a few improvements and rejigged to start/finish at the closest point to Wantage. Hence nicely signposted route but free from other annoying cyclists because we started half way around. So, Nick & Richard - if you could send me your entry fees that would be appreciated.

This was a two stop ride. An early coffee at Jackdaw Cafe Malmsbury (lovely sunny spot in the market square but weak coffee) and lunch at Fire & Flow Roastery north of Cirencester (excellent bougee menu and much, much better coffee) that was enjoyed by all. After such a splendid lunch it was lucky that the route was predominantly downhill to the finish. After a bit of impromptu shopping at the bike shop and the Cotswold Outdoor Sale we headed home.

It turned out to be a good day for an away ride as, by all accounts, it rained quite a lot around the Wantage area while we stayed nice and dry. All in a nice day out and I got a new fleece to show for it.

It all started so well with 8 riders eager to venture into Oxford. Louis left us just before Cumnor Hill as he was feeling the effects of very little sleep. As we approached Botley Road, unfortunately Nick D hit the kerb while moving into the cycle lane and had a nasty fall. Assistance was given while he composed himself. he was clearly in a lot of discomfort so it was decided to contact his wife to get him to the JR for a check-over. While we waited we took the opportunity to get a coffee from Taylors across the road. We safely helped Nick into this car and continued the ride, missing the planned coffee stop. While we had some tailwind assistance on the way back to Wantage it did feel like hard work at times. As we approached Wantage riders slowly dropped off and we arrived back in the market place with 4. The diagnosis from Nick was a fracture of the pelvis and fortunately no surgery. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Sunny morning and just about the right temperature. Nice to see Jez and Nick again after a while. Not a lot to report - busy at Coleshill - just a very pleasant ride.
Thanks everyone for your company.

It was a bit of a bumpy start to the ride! The Wantage Greenway quickly reminding us why we enjoy riding on roads (despite the potholes!) and by the time we reached the Harwell Campus, the ride leader was thinking that taking the A417 to Blewbury would have been a better option.

Fortunately, the lanes from Blewbury across to Wallingford were a lot more comfortable and the views across the parched landscape as picturesque as ever. The route then took us out of Wallingford, heading for The Chilterns through Crowmarsh, with a distant view of Rowan Atkinson's "space-age petrol station" residence above Ipsden and on to visit Philip Koomen's idyllic workshop at the top of "Furniture Maker's" hill near Checkendon.

Phil kindly provided refreshments, some insight into the life and times of a bespoke furniture maker and a tour of his workshop. Fed and watered we headed back to Wantage via Goring, Aldworth and Compton, with a bit of up and down along the way!

A longer ride than usual, but enjoyable to have an interesting stop.

A loop out to Henley from Cholsey. Lots of road closures giving us quiet roads over large parts. Quick coffee stop at Henley Piazza.

Another beautiful day to be out on the bike with a flattish route stopping in Abingdon which was looking lovely by the river

A green ride, we said.
Peep O Day Lane was green.
Rest of landscape was mostly yellowish brown.
Coffees at Java in Abingdon Market Place were not green.

Chain Hill was the usual 3 mile slog but the subsequent long and smooth 14 miles of gentle downhill made it worth it. We slid almost unnoticed through hidden suburban backwaters of Newbury, passed respectfully through a shopping trolly graveyard, eventually mooring up at Aldermaston Wharf. Here the cakes and sausage baps (served by a bored looking collection of teenagers) were very decent and service was quick. Recommend.

After the Wharf the route went along the canal then through some stunning coniferous woodland, almost Mediterranean in character. Many of the lanes around here were new to us and made for good riding. Plus we had the excitement of having to give way at canal swing bridges to let narrow boats through - twice!

A good day all round and with a nice pint afterwards for those who fancied it.