Westbury Wheelers on Tour – Newbury Trip 2023

On Bank Holiday August Sunday at 9am we met in the Town Hall Square. There were loads of Wheelers there – us lot going on the trip and all the other rides meeting as well. Us ‘Newbury Trippers’ lined up with our shiny bikes and photos were taken. We then split into 2 groups and off we set. In my group Sean and John took turns in leading; they were great, always checking to make sure the group was together and adjusting the speed as necessary. – thank you both. Our first stop was for breakfast in a café in Pewsey. Then fuelled with toasted teacake and a pot of tea we pushed on to a pub outside Newbury for lunch. It was a lovely route – undulating quiet lanes with a bit of a gravelly section that kept me concentrating. The whole ride was very enjoyable. On the way we passed a group of Model T Fords and took advantage of a photo opportunity with us by the side of one.

The weather was kind – no rain for us – a bit chilly and I was grateful to be wearing my newly-bought sleeves.

Our lunch stop was at a pub where we all sat at a big table in a marquee. The 2^nd group joined us after a while – they hadn’t been so lucky with the weather and Tris had suffered a puncture that had taken a while to repair. Jonathon and Ian, the ‘gravel guys’ also caught up with us at lunch – they had taken a different route off road and over quite a few mountains it seemed.

We had a leisurely chatty lunch and then it was all aboard again for the last few downhill miles to the hotel, cheering as we passed the Newbury sign.

The Premier Inn we stayed at was really nice with good-sized room. Dave and I were lucky enough to bag a ground floor room so no bike and lift negotiations for us. In the evening we met in the hotel bar before heading to the Lock, Stock & Barrel where we enjoyed a drink and a chat on the roof terrace. Then we went for a meal in the Chobrizo Lounge where the food was good and the décor cosy with many, many lights and pictures. Next, off to Sundaes Gelato Bar for an ice cream – there had been much praise for this from Sean but he didn’t join us. We banded together for a final beverage before heading back to our hotel.

Next day after breakfast we set off homeward. It seemed a bit hillier on the back and on one steeper section Fiona and I rode side by side giving words of encouragement as we pedalled our way to the top. We stopped for lunch in a garden centre in Woodborough.I had only eaten a light breakfast and the tea and scone were yummy – the sausage roll I ordered was excessive – I am a greedy person!

We hit a headwind on the way back and I was struggling to keep up. Ian alerted the rest of the group to my plight and I was sandwiched in the middle for a while. Here I was protected from the wind and my legs were given a grateful respite. Thanks again all x. On the last stretch to Westbury I gave it all I had – it was a good feeling having some strength left to give it a bit of welly. We arrived triumphantly back and went for a much-deserved ‘de-brief’ at the Horse and Groom before making our separate ways home.

It was a great weekend and I made new friends and had a load of laughs and fun. A highly recommended trip. I am not a strong cyclist – I normally ride on my own and I am not confident drafting (it’s cheating anyway isn’t it? Ha ha) and neither do I clip in – I just try my best. Having said this (for those thinking of going) a level of cycling fitness is required. It is two 50+mile rides on consecutive days – no real beastly hills but be prepared for lumps along the way. The pace was at a level that I was able to manage and at a speed that I felt good at having achieved. I would definitely go again if another trip was organised – just one request – how about adding an extra day in Newbury? We could have another ride to explore the area? That would be fab. Thank you all.

Things I learnt:

1.     Squash your stuff tightly in your saddle bag – it’s important that it remains erect!

2.     Carry cable ties.

3.     The café in Pewsey doesn’t serve cooked breakfast on scarecrow day.

4.     Sara is ballsey!

5.     Rosé is OK drunk from a lemonade bottle on the street.

6.     Sit on a firm cushion on a squashy sofa so you can get up OK

7.     Drafting has its place – on occasions.

8.     The second hill out of Newbury is the piggy one.

Jonathon collects big black cars.