It was a beautifully sunny warm evening and where was everyone? At 18:27 I was beginning to think I would be riding alone, but just like buses, three riders turned up. It was nice to see Andy O’Shaughnessy back on a ride. The ride was flat with just the one hill (Holborn Hill) out of Letcombe Bassett, so the pace was good. As we were on the last stretch back into Wantage, Nick had a puncture, which was efficiently repaired, but the tyre was already patched up, so he decided to take a more direct route home, so the Pam, Andy and I continued on route back to Wantage. A lovely Wednesday evening ride, thanks for joining me.

Very cloudy when we left Wantage and it remained like that for most of the ride. We went out along the Springline and got as far as Kingston Lisle where Phil D peeled off to return home with a broken cleat.

The leader managed to upload the incorrect route so had to rely on others to point him in the right direction as we circumnavigated Shrivenham.

The route home was helped by a bit of wind assistance and 5 of us enjoyed a drink outside at Alfie’s before going home.

Well that was an interesting ride. First the Ride Leader #1 had to ask for a stand-in leader, who willingly stepped forward. Then the stand-in Ride Leader #2 turned up wearing crocs without cycling shoes. Of the five riders the three leaders agreed to share the responsibility.

Ride Leader #3 led up Manor Road before pausing at the stop to regroup.
Ride Leader #4 led up Walbury Hill and paused to take photos at the top.
Ride leader #5 rerouted us back at Kintbury to miss out a section of the A4.

The pitstop at the Honesty Cafe was bizarre. They serve breakfast until 10 and lunch from 12 - we arrived at 11. They had 12 cake servings on display and nothing in reserve. That was it! We did consider diverting to Hungerford for a greater choice but chose to sit in the sun instead.

Louis checked his bike before setting off again - always good practice - and found that the sidewall of his rear tyre was splitting away from the bead. So he reduced tyre pressure and rode mostly standing over the front wheel to relieve the load on the rear tyre. Descents were taken at low speed but nothing eventuated on the return to Wantage.

A great route in glorious sunshine. I am sure we will ride this route again (with an alternative cafe stop) for the benefit of the two ride leaders who missed out and any other members interested in a hilly ride.

Warm and sunny weather for a change which was a good start for our new ride as 3 of us left Wantage for a relaxing evening ride. Fabio spotted us on our way to Denchworth and turned around and joined us for the rest of the ride.

The roads seemed quiet for a change so the ride was very straightforward and Chris and i were back in the market place by 8-15 and enjoyed a drink at Alfie’s where Pete popped in for a natter on his way home.

Spring has arrived.
All but one in shorts - no names,, no pack drill Paul.
Two (Nick and Simon) had looked at 20’C forecast and were in short sleeves

We spread out going up the hills and regrouped at the tops. Blakes at Coleshill sold a lot of cinnamon buns. We just recovered after the steep hill at Badbury - no bluebells for us.

We enjoyed the ride.

A smaller field than usual started the audax this year, 32 including one on the line entry, excluding 4 DNS, but a fine day (at least until mid-afternoon when a sharp shower caught out some of the slower (value for money) riders. Kudos to the three Corallian riders - Hugo led the field back to Uffington. Some interesting stories from the some of the riders - a special mention for Neil T who saved the day for another rider when he incurred a broken rear gear cable just before Martinsell Hill. Neil tightened the rear derailleur Top Limit screw to enable the other rider to complete the ride on a two gear set-up. Other riders missed the time cut-off following punctures and flat phone batteries, but everyone seemed to enjoy a good day out.

A big thank you to Nick and June Dunton, Pete Wrench, who manned the Marlborough Control, Hugh Falkner, Pam (special mention for her cakes - widely admired!) and Louis for their help with setting up, catering and tidying up the hall afterwards. Despite the small field and increased costs about £60 was raised for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Nick S

(I'm sorry I completely forgot to get someone to take photos!)

Not too surprised that nobody else turned up but despite the rain I decided to push on with a shortened ride - in fact the rain had all but stopped by 1900, though there were some very large puddles on the road. My efforts were rewarded with a puncture at Letcombe Bassett but it was a pleasant place to spend a few minutes and the rain had stopped.

The ride today was unusual for many reasons, the sun was out, it was warm, and John Groves joined us, back from his trip to Zimbabwe. It was also a ride with a far bit of discipline, but also some impetuous behaviour, particular by Mr Wrench. At one point he appeared to have aspirations of being a Didcot Phoenix Expresso rider as he hunted down a Didcot Phoenix rider who passed us near the Harwell site. Fair play to him, he caught the rider at the Rowstock roundabout!! Overall, it was a most enjoyable ride, feeling the warm sun back again, made everyone seem more energised, however, it was not enough to entice anyone to the King Alfred’s Head for a drink – sorry John maybe next time!

The start time was pushed back to 10:00 to avoid the heavy rain at 9:00 - a success based on a reliable Met Office forecast. The market place was full of earnest activity for the Town Council promoted St George's Day - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George for details of the Turkish saint.

It was just me and Pam. We had a great ride, negotiating various puddles from the heavy overnight rain, the largest of which was at the old airplane memorial roundabout at the end of Mably Way. Thereafter we worked well as a team and relished the seedy flapjacks at Lynwood in Bampton - much appreciated after the headwind from Standlake.

The return journey saw the wind at our backs - a sign of a well planned route - taking a direct route since we both had cycling commitments in the afternoon.

I should have mentioned that we were dressed for winter and we had both put mudguards back on our bikes. Spring was in our legs; not in the weather!