On Tuesday 8th May, the ride was a repeat of the Didcot to Basingstoke ride we did in November 2016 - Ride report  Mick, Ray, Laurie, SueP, Lin, me  and eventually Len met up at Basingstoke station in time to catch the 9:06 to Reading - planned to the second!  When we reached Reading, and changed for Didcot four of us had bike spaces booked on a train to Cardiff and three on a train to Cheltenham. However the train to Cardiff was cancelled, so we were advised to all get on the next slow stopping train to Didcot. I decided that the three of us would stick with our original plan to get the Cheltenham fast train that left later but got in earlier in case there was not enough space on the stopper for all the bikes. Well the stopper was empty and we could have had the whole group on the train without a problem whilst our fast train was 15 minutes late.

 

Anyway, we all arrived safely in Didcot and headed off in the lovely sunny weather towards South Moreton on the cycle path. After passing through the village we started the climb up to the Ridgeway along the top of the Downs. The first short section was on tarmac but a 14% climb then levelled out and changed to a proper off-road track with deep ruts for the next 3 miles. The views were extensive on all side as we climbed up with no traffic noise as there are no roads within miles of the track. Once over the top  we ran downhill to the little village of Aldworth and stopped as last time at the Bell Inn for lunch. This tiny pub was packed out both inside and in the large garden - we ate outside.

Suitably refreshed, we set of down hill towards Bradfield crossing under the M4 and then climbing out of the valley of the River Pang before descending to the River Bourne, climbing out again and down to the River Kennet, each climb being short but about 10%. Crossing the A4 the last climb was less steep to Ufton Nervet before the rolling countryside to Bramley where we stopped at the Bakery for coffee and cake - because it was 3pm, the cakes were half price. From there we made our way home some via Cufaude Lane and some via Sherborne St John.