There were six of us for this ride - Mick, Mark, Laurie, Brian, Ray and me. The ride had been suggested by Mick. We met up at the station at 8:50 - it was a bit cold and took the train to Didcot that I had booked in advance to secure the bike reservations using a group ticket [£6 per head].

As soon as we had started, Mick discovered that when he had changed the pedal cleat on one of his shoes, he had put it on the wrong way round and he could not clip in - there was a bit of gentle ribbing whilst we stopped for him to correct it. It was a mixture of cycle path and busy road past the main edge of town retail area. Once we were outside Didcot the roads became quiet as we started on the gentle climb to the start of the Byway over the Downs. Mick and I  had looked at the byway in Google Streetview and it seemed reasonably surfaced, but the reality was a bit different and there was no way the normal Google camera car had ridden up this track unless it was fitted with 4x4. The track quickly ramped up and granny rings were engaged whilst trying to keep our balance near the deep ruts. There were a couple of small muddy sections that we were able to ride around, otherwise it was mainly bare chalk or gravel. At the top of the Downs, the byway crossed the Ridgeway about 2.5 miles in and from then it was downhill to the road.  On this section of the Downs there are no other roads between the A34 and the Thames, so it was quiet and peaceful with extensive views from the Byway.

On the climb up, I had picked up a big thorn on a twig that clattered against the mudguard and which I pulled out promptly but just as we got to the bottom of the hill into Aldworth, the tyre was flat.  As it so happened this was outside an electric bike shop and opposite a nice looking country pub. As it was just before midday, it seemed that we were intended to stop at the pub for lunch. It was small, but had locally brewed beer and cider and fresh food at very reasonable prices. Before we had finished, despite it being in the middle of nowhere, the pub was full of local customers perched on odd chairs and benches enjoying the food and drink. If you are ever up that way, the Bell Inn in Aldworth is well recommended.

Suitably refreshed we set off again downhill for a long stretch to just before the road crossed under the M4 where the roads become more rolling as we crossed the valleys of the River Pang, the River Bourne and the River Kennet. There was a short section on the footpath alongside the busy and fast A4 before heading south again on quiet roads. We were stopped by traffic lights at the Kennet and Avon Canal swing bridge whilst a boat went through. After the climb up Sulhamstead Hill it was flat for a bit before crossing the Foundry Brook valley and into Bramley for afternoon coffee and cake at the Bakery - two stops in one day!. We split up and Bramley with Mick heading down Cufaude Lane whilst the rest of us headed hone via Sherborne St John. As Brian put it, he thought the ride was excellent, challenging  in places but plenty of scenery and little traffic. The trains were timely and friendly.