With family, friends and some members having suffered heart issues it was a great choice to select the British Heart Foundation for this years charity, whether you did 100K or a 100 miles or you just decided to make a donation it doesn’t make a difference, the aim was to raise money to support a worthy charity.
The good news is we have already exceeded our target but if you still want to donate click on the link to the Just Giving Page – Club Charity 2025
There were a lot of fantastic rides going on over the Bank Holiday weekend, some going to Weston, Sherston, Northleach, UE Coffee & Lodge at Lake 12, Jennies Kitchen, Badminton, Minchampton, Honeystreet, The Wild Olive, Blake’s at Clanfield and Odd Socks so well done everyone, a selection of group rides are mentioned below.
Nova/Rouleur Group Ride
Great riding by Keri, Linda, Steve, Alison and Carolyn. A good pace was maintained for the full ride, 100 miles plus which together with plenty of banter made for a very enjoyable day in the saddle, shame the pub was closed when we got to Hook. Hopefully plenty of money raised by SWCC for the British Heart Foundation.
Grupetto Ride to Henley
Gruppetto ride to Henley Part 1 (Kingsdown to Henley) Starting from Kingsdown we cycled the first 25 miles over familiar terrain. Sevenhampton, Watchfield, Uffington. I never get bored of seeing the Uffington white horse, on arrival to Uffington we decided to avoid the potholes and take the road past the Fox and Hounds. We headed towards Goosey towards the Hanney’s. I’ve got to say the road from East Hanney towards Steventon is dull, the land looks barren, fruitless. Anyhow after Steventon you soon end up in Sutton Courtney which is a lot more prettier and has that patriotic vibe to it as you pass a pub called ‘The George’. Soon enough you end up in Wallingford. Wallingford is a market town situated on the river Thames, our choice of café was Mollie’s. Their menu had a lot of references to Monarchs past and present. You could get a King Charles 3rd breakfast which was breakfast with chipolata sausages, King Henry 8th which was breakfast with fat sausages, Queen Camilla was a vegetarian breakfast (makes me feel ill just thinking about that) as we left Wallingford we pretty much ended up taking NCN route 5 all the way to Henley. This was beautiful, the road was narrow but took you past some beautiful British countryside. We had our first hill climb up to a place called Stoke Row which hosts the Maharajah’s Well! Who would’ve thought! Shauno asked if I was interested in seeing it but hearing the name Maharajah I could only think of curry and there being chicken tikka masala at the bottom of the well. We passed NT Grey’s Court and your pretty much on a downward descent to Henley.
First 50 miles in the bag!
Our 100 mile ride to Henley and back part 2. (Henley to Kingsdown) Our café stop was Viv’s in Henley. Where we enjoyed cake and there was plenty of it. After an age as we certainly relaxed and admired the riverside view that Henley catered for we got back on our bikes. Leaving Henley was slow as there were plenty of traffic lights and one way systems to navigate. When we left Henley you were heading back up hill and we seemed to pass places that seemed synonymous with corporal punishment such as Gallowstree Common, Cane End and Hook End. All those places are beautiful as the villages you are cycling through are wooded and quiet areas. I’m sure cycling could be a form of corporal punishment! The road to Goring is quick as most is down hill which means only one thing when you leave! Anyway we had a brief stop on the bridge over the Thames in Goring to admire the view and for Shaun to put his faster feet on. Then the hill climb out of Goring began. You head over the Bridge to Streatley and as soon as you leave the bridge you’re on a 3% climb up to the traffic lights. You go straight on and pass The Bull pub at Streatley and then the hill kicks up to an average 8% climb for a 1.5 miles (16% in places). At the top we met up with a recumbent cyclist who had done the climb! We soon cycled ‘Straight outta Compton’ NWA (Novas With Attitude) style and could’ve done with a few ice cubes in our bottles. You are cycling through beautiful scenery but this last 40 miles for me was arduous and I just wanted it to end. Thankfully we had our third stop at the Swan in East Ilsley as the neighbouring pub the Crown and Horns was trying to murder its punters via the torture method of Karaoke! Leaving the Swan we were on the road back towards Saddleback Farm Shop (sad that’s not there anymore) from there it was Lambourn,Ashbury, Wanborough and back to the Kingsdown. The Kingsdown greeted all three of us with an ice cool pint of Madri (pure heaven right there). A miles in the bag don’t forget if you have any loose change down the side of your sofa to please sponsor us.
Tempo Ride to Tintern
This bunch made a long day on the bike be a *great* day on the bike! Bridge ride 
with an added loop around to Tintern Abbey.
Gravel Riders Plus One MTB Rider
SWCC Charity #2 – Gravel to Stonehenge & Imber; a ride of two halves for Jon!
The ride to Stonehenge started out with fabulous weather & six of us ready to face of gravel. It was a pacy start up the old railway path & into Savernake Forest, then onto the Kennet & Avon canal path before jumping back onto bridleways & single track before the lovely fast, wide gravel of the Salisbury plain perimeter road. After a visit to the famous stones, we headed to the visitor cafe for a well earned lunch. After our refreshment break, we headed to the village of Imber. It was en-route that a strange squeaky sound from my bike was actually a cracked seat post clamp. After some make shift repairs from chief engineer Lawrence, I managed to limp the remaining 8 miles to Imber where the ladies in the church were kind enough to give us water & after Chris’ generous donation, also gave us jugs of squash to quench our thirst.
Sadly the make shift repairs were no match for the rough terrain & I found myself riding with the seat post sinking lower & lower and eventually decided enough was enough & had to abandon a few miles after leaving Imber. Lee was given the captains armband & the rest of the group cracked on to complete the whilst I waited for the lovely Mrs S to rescue me!
All in all a great day out, tinged with frustration I couldn’t complete the but we live to ride another day. Great riding from the group 
Tempo’s Sunday Severn Bridge Ride
Tempo’s 100 miles annual charity ride to Wales, debrief in the Sun Inn as per usual.
IOW Bank Holiday Monday – Tempo Ride
Our Annual tempo trip to the IOW saw 6 wheelers arrive in Southampton at 8 am for the 9am ferry to East Cowes. A mixed group with some very patient fast tempo level riders waiting for the elderly ride leader (Shane) and guest rider Paul ( Besty ) Best .
Weather was lovely with full sunshine and a bit of a breeze as we navigated a clock wise 67 Mile lumpy loop, heading east past Fishbourne through Saint Helens and around to Sandown at a nice steady pace with the stronger lads on front nursing a few oldie ones around. First refreshment stop saw seven bacon baps demolished with great gusto.
We had to divert due to an aircraft accident but soon got back on track to the famous Military Road, where we sent the racing snakes off to burn some calories and wait for us by the Needles, a short ride from there saw our second stop with cheesy chips and baguettes by the sea and a windy winding return to the Chain Ferry and back to the start.
Great supportive riding from all today , great banter thanks all for joining and I hope to see you all next year.
