Ride report

We met in lovely sunshine, a cold morning with a forecast of getting much warmer during the day. Those who looked at the forecast while deciding what to wear had it about right. Those who looked out at the frost and ice at 7 am found themselves over dressed later in the day!

The roads were quiet as we headed up Cumnor Hill and on towards Kingston Bagpuize. In Ardington we joined the newly improved off road cycle route that allows cycle commuting from Wantage to the Harwell Business Center without using the A 417. The surface should be fine in all weathers, being compacted/rolled stone, with in places a thin layer of loose gravel on top. OK on my 28mm tyres, thinner tyres might be a bit dicey. Still, we had a lovely ride through the fields before heading into East Hendred where we stopped to admire the knitted Easter animals out on the village green.

It was a change of schene as we negotiated the numerous cycle crossings of the Milton interchange and on through the new cycle/pedestrian tunnel under the railway into Milton Park. While Milton Park won’t be found in any good ride destination guide, it does have a good cycle track that joins to a new tarmac cycle track directly across the fields to Sutton Courtney. This track is to help cycle commuting from Abingdon to Milton Park.

After Sutton Courtney we went via Peepo Day Lane into Abingdon for our take out lunch in the Market Square, where we met our 6th member. His stated reason for not making the start was doing himself a mischief while out running, but also slipped out about waking up late as well! While there, the 2nd group led by Daisy arrived, so we all caught sight of each other.

As it was such a sunny day, our group replaced the direct route to Oxford via Radley by a longer route via Shippon and Boars Hill, with some bare legs appearing for the after lunch ride. It was nice to be out again with friends on a Sunday.