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.

They kept arriving at the Market Place for the ride – was it due to dynamism of the ride leader or the prospect of refreshments at Huffkins. We started with 11 riders including a new rider James. Pete W offered to be sweep. It wasn’t long into the ride and we were hit by the first rain shower, fortunately it blew over quickly and the dry weather lasted until we arrived at Huffkins in Witney. While a little pricey, the coffee and cakes were of high standard. Soon we were ready for the trip back to Wantage, but no, Andy had a flat tyre. This was repaired with impressive speed and we were back on the road. Again we had not been going long and the second rain shower came down, this fortunately passed. As we started to approach the outskirts of Wantage various riders went they respect ways home, which coincided with the third rain shower, by the time we arrived back at the Market Place only five riders remained – despite the rain showers it was an enjoyable ride, thanks to Pete for being sweeper, he only managed to lose himself at one point!!

The LIDL and Hanney-Denchworth roadworks necessitated a route through Grove and onto the A338, but at least the overtaking vehicles only appeared in pulses. After Hanney the roads were reasonably quiet and after conquering Sires Hill we were soon descending towards Wallingford. We readied ourselves for the pot-holed (worst road in Oxfordshire?) hell leading into Wallingford - but it wasn't there - replaced by a smooth expanse of fresh tarmac. Suitably buoyed up we enjoyed the cakes, coffee and soft furnishings at Bean & Brew, accompanied by Mojito Gummies provided by Neil. A light drizzle threatened on the way back to Wantage but never amounted to much, so the run of dry rides was further extended. Thanks everyone - a good sociable ride. Sorry no photos - I forgot!

Great to see Pete Cowan at the start, waving off four of us.

Not all of us were fully equipped for the cold - I was definitely under gloved.

We soon lost Paul, who was trying us out but had to leave early.

Then we lost John - his seat mounting failed and he had to call for a broom wegon.

While the delicious coffee at Lyalls in Eynsham perked us up, Nick and I were both slightly under par - yesterday's flu vaccinations perhaps?

Nick dropped off as we passed his house into Wantage so I soloed back into the Market Place.

A few of the regular Tuesday riders were away but the return of Andy and John made a nice compact group of four. After Lambourn the hard bit heading into the SW wind was over and we could enjoy the quiet road and scenic downland valley over to Ashbury and on to Shrivenham.

Bloomfields provided some decent cakes, gargantuan in the case of those chosen by Andy and Neil (I didn't see them!) and we had the rear coffee garden to ourselves. Neil's wheel upgrade project led on to a wide-ranging conversation about bike wheels - we briefly considered swapping our wheels for the Zipp carbon wheels on two very smart new Canyon bikes parked in the garden.

The flat return ride to Wantage was a breeze, thanks to the breeze. Andy left us at Charney to head home and after a photo opportunity at the bridge (see photo - thought at first it might be Ken!) we soon found ourselves back in the market square.

Nice sociable ride - thank you all.