Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

We send details of upcoming rides in a weekly email newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact [javascript protected email address].

Sat Aug 9th 2025

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). This is a modified version of a classic ride on some rarely used little roads down in the Thames Valley. Out via Denchworth and Fyfield, we then enjoy the dramatic drop into the Thames flood plain. Over the river to Standlake, along to Shifford with its tiny church and then Aston Pottery. Pot buying is optional, but the cafe is great. Suitably fortified, we will take some time to explore the rarely travelled tiny lanes down to the Thames at the mysterious hamlet of Chimney (tantalisingly close to the other side of Duxford ford), before conquering the modest challenge of Buckland Hill and (after exploring the back streets of Buckland village) heading for home via Charney Bassett. 33 miles and about four hours in total, so note the slightly earlier start time.
Riders: Anke Otto Brian Watson Chris Bailey Chris Gray John Tranter Julie Haynes Lorna Swanton Nick Portsmouth Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: A really nice group was tempted out by some nice weather for an early start. We made good time down into the Thames Valley with a helpful tailwind, and took some tracks around Standlake to shake off the holiday traffic. The quiet lanes through Shifford and Cote got us nicely to our coffee stop at Aston Pottery - pleasantly quiet (another perk of the early start). We then took the even quieter lanes down to Chimney and the river Thames. My plan was to retrace our steps at this point, but there was a distinctly adventurous spirit in the group and so we decided to cross the island and see how Duxford Ford was looking. The answer was about as low as it's ever going to be and so my long dreamt-of amphibious club ride finally occurred as everyone either walked or rode over the Ford. Very exciting! It was also quite an effective short cut and so we headed for home across the Vale and still got back by 1pm as originally planned. Thanks to all for a great adventure!
Distance: 49.89 km (31.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/317974631
2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford 2* adventure to Chimney, Thames and Duxford Ford
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51967598"
Comment on this ride

Ride Filter

Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information