Saturday 16th - here goes, have checked the bikes out for brakes (got a couple of pairs of new blocks from our friends at Banjo's, with the 10% SPOKES discount), gears, tyres and general roadworthiness (me as well as the bike).  Got to the Town Hall for 10 and met up with the rest of the gang for the World's End to John O'Gaunt ride.  Nine of us, with a couple of tandems to add to the spectacle - looks good.  Bit of rain as we set off up Northbrook Street, but it soon stopped.  Seems like one moronic motorist can't cope with the concept of cycles - nine turning right down Station Road in Speen after signalling properly, so he decides to try and barge us out of the way coming out - dear oh dear. But apart from the odd speed-kid in a sports car, no problems with the drivers - shows we can all coexist if we all give and take a bit. A lovely ride up through Winterbourne and Chieveley for a photo at World's End - all very picturesque.  Then down to Leckhampstead (pleasantly surprised by the ease of coming up the hill), ending up stopping to look for fishes at the bridge in Boxford and then for a refreshing pint in the sunshine outside the Bell Inn.  Up to Wickham, then through Winding Wood and eventually into Hungerford - legs fine, bottom fine but weather horrid - it poured!  So into the John O'Gaunt for a pint and some lunch, then back home via Hungerford Common, Kintbury, Irish Hill and the towpath from Hamstead Lock.  Plus a pint and a natter in the Old Waggon and Horses in the Market Place.  Total of 54 km so far - all very civilised and sociable!  Thanks to Alan and Caroline for doing it.

So onto Saturday evening - cycled to a social event at the Frank Hutchings Hall in Thatcham - an extra 15 km, via Sainsbury's to do some food shopping for the supper (all went in the rucksack).  It rained on the way back, but no problems.  Day's total of 69 kms - so far so good!

Sunday - went on the Newbury RC club ride - 83 kms via Shalbourne, up Rivar Hill (ouch!), then down through Fosbury, Hurstbourne Tarrant and St Mary Bourne to Whitchurch, where stopped for tea and toast.  A glorious summer morning - it was lovely.  Then back through Overton and Hannington, through Kingsclere and up to Greenham Common and home.  Well and truly you-know-whatted (begins with a K) when I got home.  Running total is 152 kms.

Monday - cycled into work in the pouring rain.  Go via the town centre and canal path, then up Faraday Road to the A4.  The surface of Faraday Road is a danger and a disgrace, frankly.  The cycle path alongside the A4 is a good thing, apart from some low hanging branches (needs a trim, West Berks).  Lower Way a bit damp. A bit wet when I got to school (I work at Kennet), but soon dried off.  My classes will be using the data I collect to check how much carbon emission I'm saving.  Cycle home again in the sunshine at 5-30 - very relaxing, and Victoria Park does look lovely in the sun.  Then into the Town Hall for a meeting in the evening - cycle in and back and tell the councillors what I'm up to.  Day's total only 15 kms, but overall it's 177 kms.  Feeling quite relaxed and refreshed - this sure beats sitting in a horrid traffic jam!  Thought for the day - why aren't the journalists from the NWN trying this?