Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

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Sun Dec 13th 2009

Mince Pie Ride to White Horse Hill (1, 2 and 3*)

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Our annual festive ride in aid of Whizz-Kidz the children's mobility charity. Join us in the Market Place at 10 a.m. for a choice of rides of varying pace, distance and hilliness or meet us in the NT car park at White Horse Hill from 11:15 to 12:00 for minced pies and mulled wine. Once again Vodafone Foundation will be matching all monies raised on the day (up to
Riders: Andrew Robertson Angela Sanders Barry Gillott Bryan Charleston Chris Eley Chris Walters David Bridge David Roberts David Ryan Dean Douglas Derek Boutle Des Higgs Ginny Henderson Glen Savegar Iain Kent James Dawton Jan McCabe Janet Charleston John Rushton John Talbot John Tranter Jonathan Smith Kevin Fairs Liz Buckle Lucia Singer Martin Bate Martin Jones Maurice Bawden Neil Warner Paul Ryan Paul Sanders Philip Thornton-Evison Rex Belcher Richard Divall Richard Ryan Robert Ryan Steve Boreham Steve Sanders Steve Swanton Steven Rogers Stuart Camps Stuart Webb (dup) Sue King Teresa Belcher Tim Hunt Tom Millar Tony Smith Wenfeng Yang Riders = 48 Report: Probably the biggest Mince Pie Ride ever with about 50 cyclists meeting for the start in Wantage (including a dozen or so from Didcot Phoenix) and over 80 cyclists joining the throng at White Horse Hill. We were lucky enough to have a good winters morning, and the sun came out while we enjoying our mince pies and mulled wine at the top of the hill. John led the 3* ride off first heading out to the letcombes and up Hackpen Hill with about 20 riders. At the top, the decision was made to drop back down to Sparsholt and continue along the foot of the downs road... Glenn, leading the 2* ride had the biggest group with about 25. They followed the 3* group out to the Letcombes and dropped down to Childrey... I led a select 1* group, with Steve, Chris, Richard and Robert. We were surprised to find that the band was out for us in Childrey. The Wantage Silver band were playing by the duck pond and raising a collection through the village. So we stopped briefly to watch and listen before continuing steadily on to Westcot, Kingston Lisle and up Dragon Hill. Over the last few miles I was expecting to be overtaken by the faster groups, but we were rolling along nicely and still "in front" as we started our ascent, and I was surprised to be the first of the Wantage starters to the top. A few minutes later, a few cyclists began to appear, first a few of the Didcot riders, then Bryan, Chris W, Steve R, Steve S, Johns and David - an excellent photo opportunity. It was clear that all of the groups were coming up at the same time (how's that for co-ordination ). There was already a large gathering when I reached the car park with a queue for the mince pies and mulled wine. We learnt that 15 riders from Newbury Road Club had come and gone before most of us got there. A group of riders from Faringdon joined us for the first time led by Andrew - some suitably attired with stuffed antlers or santa claus hats. We all joined up for a photo call before setting off on our separate ways home. I led a select group back to Wantage, and cycled on to meet club members for lunch at the Black Horse, where we enjoyed a convivial dinner. The preliminary total is over
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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