A very dull, windy day greeted 14 members and one guest. Shortly after the three groups had left the clubrooms the heavens opened and we were treated to mixture of rain and hail for luckily only a brief time. John Litchfield led out the shorter ride with 8 members and the guest, a welcome to Louise Ward, a friend of Andy and Sue Overton, to the cafe at Buckingham via Abthorpe, Wappenham, Syresham and the back lane past Boycott Farm. Home via Stowe, Silverstone and Wood Burcote, a distance of 25 miles.

Richard Holmes led out the additional ride with four members for a brisker ride out to Foodies cafe at Deddington. See Richard's write up.

Craig with three others set off on the longer ride for lunch at Blooms Garden Centre near Draycote water. The route out briefly (see the detailed Garmin download from Martin Smith) was via Greens Norton, Blakesley, Maidford, Little Preston, Charwelton, past the windmill at Hellidon, round the wet long right hand corner at the pub and on to Staverton. Here we halted and sheltered at the side of the pub to put on our capes as the rain had again started. Off again for a mile or so down the A425 to the turn off to Flecknoe. After Flecknoe a shorter route,new to me, was taken to a village named Hill, which of course was on a hill! This is lovely cycling countryside when the sun shines! On to Leamington Hastings, Birdingsbury, Burton-on- Dunsmore and to Blooms. About 30 miles so far. After a good lunch and again in light rain which soon cleared we set off for home. Back through Burton-on-Dunsmore, Birdingbury, Stockton, up the hill to Napton-on-Hill and on to Priors Marston. Jane W., and I took the climb via Keys Lane and Martin S., and Peter W., took the short sharp climb, recorded as 18%, on Martin's Garmin but signposted as 14%. Both groups however met at the same time at the top of the climb! Conclusion? Home now by basically the same route as we went out via Charwelton etc. See Martin's route home on the Garmin. Back home home mid-afternoon, 59 miles, dry and with no punctures. A good run out.