Yep. I've done rides in early April where there's still snow by the roads in the Chilterns. I guess it could be quite pretty but I'd worry with the quieter roads there's more risk of ice. Not much of that drama in July (until climate change is in full effect here and we have Siberian weather)
Yeah, that's the one. It was the first week in April the last time I rode it. Remember waking up to the tent+bike covered in frost.