Whoosh supports First Step Trust in 2021

Day 4. Tidcombe to Reading
A shorter day allowed us to enjoy breakfast in the garden and pay a visit to the beautiful old Tidcombe church. After some essential bike maintenance and being joined by a mysterious regal presence.. (see the blog on whoosh.org.uk) we set off, soon departing from tarmac.. Whilst some headed to for a more leisurely cycle along the Avon & Kennett canal towpath others got waylaid and ended up cycling along the Ridgeway. A stupendous walk but a very taxing cycle! Never mind, after skirting Greenham Common and some fast descents we found an excellent lunch in Aldermaston. A few speedy types headed for the road and direct to London (c.80miles) and some joined the canal group for a pleasant afternoon, ending up at Reading Station in time for the 17:39 to Clapham Junction leaving just 3 to retrace the Prologue in reverse the following day. Thus ends another epic Whoosh. Thanks +++ to all our very generous supporters.

Day 3. Salisbury to Tidcombe
Wonderful B&B in Salisbury gave us the surplus sausages and bacon from breakfast for our sandwiches and we headed off via a short stop at Salisbury Cathedral. King Arthur's Way is pretty much all off road and much of the terrain was really tough but after Salisbury we managed to take in Old Sarum, Stonehenge and Avebury village famous for being surrounded by standing stones of the same vintage as Stonehenge. Unfortunately this was where my mobile phone fell into a loo immediately setting me back 30 years. We arrived at Tidcombe in the gathering gloom and once more were welcomed by a Whoosh family to sofas, tents, the barn and the odd bed. After supper a local Bishop swung by to sing and read from his upcoming book about connecting with the ancient landscape of Wiltshire.

Day 2. Hayling Island to Salisbury
A lovely sunny start after wonderful evening hosted by a Whoosh family on Hayling Island. The first part of the day was along the coast after negotiating Portsmouth and a bit of wiggling through Southampton then into glorious albeit hilly countryside. The off road sections sometimes very challenging but great downhill whooshing on the roads too. Some had the time to call in at Winchester Cathedral but most were a little slower so went direct, arriving in Salisbury in the nick of time to shower and head for delicious Lebanese meal in town.

Day 1 Reading to Hayling Island
A long haul with an option to take the train for a stretch. Raining to start with but soon cleared to perfect cycling weather. Some great off road routes through forests and countrysides despite occasionally hairy gravelly descents. Brilliant hosts on Hayling. Fully restored for Day 2!

Day 0 The Prologue
10 left St Saviour's along with some supporters, 11 left Abbevilles cafe fortified with good coffee and 12 left Richmond Park. All 12 made it to Reading in good time and now (Friday) awaiting the main party to join us by rail before heading south. For more details see whoosh.org.uk/posts/whoosh-21-day-0/
Thanks to all for your support