Eight Loiterers met at Watlington on what as forecast to be the hottest day for a long time - Lilo having cycled from Ickenham! We left the car park and skirted the town and rode to Cuxham before turning to ride through the Brightwells en route to Benson and elevenses alongside the Thames at The Waterfront Cafe.
Leaving Benson we headed south to cross the river at Wallingford and turned east through South Moreton. The sky was cloudy but it was hot and humid but a breeze helped to cool a little. Past Filsot we left the road and followed an uneven track alongside the railway to Didcot. Crossing main road we followed cycle paths through the Ladygrove Estate to lunch at The Ladygrove PH, a Hungry Horse pub with an air conditioned interior.
After lunch the cloud cover had gone and in full sun we followed NCR5 through the estate and through fields to Long Wittenham and on to cross the Thames at Clifton Hampden.We followed the A415 on a cycle path to Burcot then on through Drayton St Leonard and Stadhampton to the village of Chalgrove and refreshments at The Red Lion PH.
We left Chalgrove and returned to Watlington via Cuxham. most loaded bikes to cars for return home but Lilo cycled on back to Ickenham.
The ride was 32.3 very hot miles.