Last week 2 riders disaappears during the ride, so how many did we loose this week? I must point out that is it not our intention to loose riders and we do take reasonable steps to ensure everyone remains fairly close together.

On arriving at the golf club, Ian was standing around by himself looking like he didn’t want to be there. Within 10 minutes the group had grown to 11 riders including, Danuta, Calum, Mike, along Simon, Dominic, Matthew, Frank, Gary, Sam. After 15 minutes of general chat we headed off through Shurlock Row with Calum and Frank setting a moderate pace as we headed for Theale.

As we past Hurst Church around half the group took a comfort break. As we set off Ian turned for home, so the remaining 10 kept to a steady pace through Winnersh. Leaving Sindlesham the group got split between traffic, leaving Danuta and one other alone leading a car with the rest benefiting from an easy ride behind a 4*4. The pace remained controlled up the hill towards Arborfield Cross. At the roundabout we took the 3rd exit and headed towards Swallowfield and Spencers Wood for a left turn toward Beaches Hill. We eventually past the Atomic weapons centre at Burghfield. Taking a left and right heading towards Sheffield Bottom, there was a call to say someone was off the back, so a pause for a head count and a bite to eat. Counting to 10 provided troublesome but it was agreed all were present to we continue on to Theale for a sprint over the railway bridge. Frank took the win followed by Gary and the chasing pack. In retrospect neither Frank nor Gary knew they were taking part in a sprint.

We left Theale heading for Pangbourne. On picking up the A340 the pace was lift to around TT effort for some of us and we arrived in Pangbourne for another quick headcount. Another short pause for Calum to catch up before heading over the river. Two riders had a short discussion on the route and the group was lead up Whitchurch hill. About 100m up the climb, Calum had a problem with his gears and dropped back but eventually got to the top safely. Most appeared to enjoy the climb with up to 20% gradients in only ways bike riders know how. As usual after a climb we pause to re-group only to find Gary was missing. The pressure of the climb was too much for one individual (the female concerned will remain nameless) who had a hormonal outburst about the route and consideration for others.

The view about Gary was that he got separated from the group before the climb and turned right to go past by the lama farm and up the hill to Goring Heath. As that road was likely to be full of grit and other rubbish, we headed back down Whitchurch Hill to chase after Gary in case in ran into problems. At the top of the climb Frank was please to hear the route back to the golf club was generally flat or down hill.
We joined the A4074 heading towards Reading for just over a mile. The speed lifted, but the effort required remained moderate, due to slight drop in road and a tail wind. A left turn took us through Gallowstree Common and on to Sonning Common. Leaving Sonning Common the group were warned about a blind left turn somewhere along the road. This came up fairly quickly with Mike complaining that no one mentioned a sharp left turn. I felt this would be fairly obvious as it was described as blind. All got round safely and we progressed on through Dunsden Green and down Playhatch Hill. At the roundabout Calum and Danuta headed for home via Henley with the remaining group crossing the river at Sonning and then the A4 toward Twyford. The sprint was won by Sam up the rise to the winery.

Crossing Howe Lane an echelon formed in the cross wind with Simon hoping to pip myself in a final sprint to the chicane yards before the golf club. I kept the pace high and Simon failed to take the lead.

On route back to the golf club we didn’t see Gary, but communications later confirmed Gary got home safely having turned where we had thought.

The round trip from / to the golf club today was just under 50miles and done at an average speed of 17.8mph.

On leaving the golf club for home, myself, Simon and Sam were lead to Holyport by Matthew who found a new lease of energy. On arriving at Maidenhead and short discussion, Matthew still had another hour of riding based on his training plan for Lands End to John O’Groats later this year.