On what was a gorgeous early Autumn day for riding, 7 turn up at the golf club (Dan, Mark, Matthew, George, Stuart, and myself).  After shorting out the excuses for poor performance during the ride, it was decided to do the standard Pishill route with an extra loop at the end to allow those struggling or with time pressure to peel off.

The ride to Twyford was all pretty brisk, but felt relatively easy so we must have had the benefit of a tail wind.  As we past the Winery heading into Twyford, Stuart came flying forward to challenge Matt on the climb, but I believe this failed.  We then waited for ages at some temporary road works before dropping in Twyford for a short pause at the light.

Sonning came and when without a pause and on up Payhatch, where again Stuart went on the attack.  I’m not sure who won this climb as myself and Mark hung back to watch the scenery slowly go by.  We then hammered into Henley, just making the lights.

Heading up the Fairmile, Stuart came up with the bright idea of using the cycle path to avoid the traffic lights controlling traffic heading to Nettlebed.  This slowed the group slightly, but we still managed to average around 21.7mph from Henley to Stoner.  Instead of the normal route up Pishill we swung right and headed up Balham Lane.  As the road steepened I went on the attack.  At least Matthew took chase, but a few seconds later he missed a gear shift (are those electronic gears?) and dropped back.  Experience has told me not to look back, so I pressed on with no idea who was still following and crest 1^st, shortly followed by George.

After re-grouping, Dan took up the initial pace setting into Northend, where Matthew attacked and took George with him.  I slowly caught back up and we continued on to Christmas Common.  Here we had a slightly longer pause due to a mechanical leaving Northend.

Once all back together we then flew past the top of Pishill, Nettlebed and into Sonning Common.  On route we saw the Clock Tower group going the other way, but I can’t remember where.  As usual along this stretch through and off broke out, but with only 4 regularly taking part.  Just before the decent at Peppard, Stuart got a fright as a car decided to turn right across his path. The pace remained brisk but was decidedly pedestrian going down Playhatch and into Sonning.

While patiently waiting in the line of cars at the Twyford lights, the car directly in front of us selected reverse and nearly knocked Sam off.  Luckily no harm was done and we headed for the Winery sprint.  I took the initial lead, but quickly got overhauled by a ballistic Dan who easily took the win.

Now for the extension loop.  We headed toward Binfield instead of the normal route via Shurlock Row to the golf club.  Due to slight confusion we headed past the Binfield dog rescue and on past Binfield Church.  Before the church Dan and Mark headed for home.  At the lights by Wyevale I managed to drop my chain and several of us missed the green. Once on the move again we flow over Cabbage Hill and toward Warfield Church, where George left us.  The remaining 4 eventually picked up the back of H10/10.  As we approached Drift Road Staurt indicated he was heading direct into Windsor.  ‘Then there were Three’ (for those who know their Genesis albums) headed back to the golf club after chasing down a lone rider. Who was caught just before the turn to Fifield.

Based on my bike computer we knocked out 57 miles at 21mph.  For a change I believe we had a tail wind all morning!!