Day 14 : 61.1 miles - St Mary Bourne

17°C Sunny and strong winds

Best ride of the year so far. I set off knowing it would be a warm one today and went out prepared in shorts and Gillet. I got the layers spot on again. There were loads of cyclists out today, and I saw so many out in longs and overshoes. Do they not check the forecast?

I headed out into the strong Southerly wind for Kingsclere, a very picturesque village, especially in the sunshine. Then the long climb up White Hill for a great view North over the ridge. Once over the top the Southerly headwind was now really noticeable along this open stretch. It's all good training I suppose.

I was actually planning a ride back over Watership Down but I changed plans after speaking with a car driver about the flooding along the lane through Hare Warren. Instead, I rode out into a headwind once again to St Mary Bourne. This village is in a river valley which feeds the (Vitacress) water cress beds and it's an easy ride tracing the river.

Then in contrast to the previous flat stretch, I headed for the Faccombe Estate which then slowly ramps up to the ridge at Combe and then Walbury Hill (the highest point in the South East). I love the views from here. There's even a gibbet to be found if you want to brave a brief section of off-road (I didn't today). Then onto Kintbury, past the speed board which I always seem to pass at 30mph for some reason and down into the village.

Perfect ride today, great scenery and good hilly route. And naked knees once again.