Sunday was a wonderful day for being out cycling and 5 members turned up for the Clock Tower Ride.  It was good to see Jane back again for a second time, especially as she had completed the Wokingham Triathlon the previous day.  Before we left we were given a bit of a history lesson, as a man approached us and commented that he was pleased to see us out riding as when he was young he used to come out on the club rides from the Clock Tower.  This was back when MDCC was still part of the Athletics Club, so I’m assuming in the 1960’s.

Given the glorious weather we decided to head up into the Chilterns via Cookham and Bourne End to Marlow and then up Frieth Hill.  Of course the weather meant that the roads were crowded with cyclists.  Many were taking part in a 3 Counties Cycle Challenge while the many arrows on lampposts indicated that there were one or two sportives also taking place.   At the top of Frieth Hill we split with Jane and I doing a 40 mile route via Christmas Common and Henley, while John led a 50 mile longer route around Stokenchurch and Sonning.

Next week I’ll be down in Cardiff with Rob doing the inaugural closed roads Velothon up and down the Welsh Valleys, while Sarah and others will be meeting up with Magnus to do the 300km circumnavigation of a Swedish lake in the Vätternrundan.  I will also be away the following week for my son’s graduation, but Sarah should be back.  Then on the Sunday 28^th a reminder that  we have organised our annual club ride to go and climb Box Hill (rewarding ourselves with coffees and cakes at the cafe at the top).  Everyone is welcome - it’s a return trip of just over 70 miles and last year we took 6.5 hours (including stops) moving at an average speed of about 15mph. I will send out full details including the route to all members in an email.