Riders preparing to leave ride HQ at Andoversford, near Cheltenham
(Click once to enlarge the pictures)
(Click once to enlarge the pictures)
With 7,142 feet of climbing over the 125 mile course, this was the most demanding 200km I've ridden so far.
Fernham Church, near Uffington
After a lumpy start the ride flattened out through Bibury, Lechlade and Faringdon.
The first control was at Fernham where the church is also used as the village hall. The Uffington Women's Institute had baked a splendid selection of cakes and for just £3.50 you could have as much tea and cake as you wanted. Hot drinks were served in china cups and saucers.
With a moderate tailwind it was on to the next control at Burbage. However, I first had to climb the Blowingstone Hill. Once at the top and with a moderate tailwind it was a glorious descent all the way to Lambourn.
After a few more ups and downs, I arrived at the All Saints Church Centre. For £4 there was a choice of homemade soups, which came with a bread roll, hot drink and cake. I opted for the parsnip and leek, which although absolutely delicious, wasn't an obvious pairing.
After Burbage, the sun petered out and the temperature gradually dropped. The tailwind lasted as far as Bishop Cannings, but then deserted me too.
The National Trust Tea Room at Lacock was the next control. The fresh air and exertion had left me feeling ravenous and I eagerly laid siege to a pot of tea and a chunk of marmalade cake.
As another rider put it as I prepared to leave, the rest of the ride back to Andoversford had nothing to frighten the horses, it would just be a case of keeping it going. And that's exactly how it was.
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