Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

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Sun Sep 19th 2010

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Monthly 80-100km all-day touring ride, lunch and possibly tea stop en route, riding pace 18-22km/h (11-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Our traditional all-day touring ride, this month meeting with CTC Oxford City and Witney for a joint ride. Flattish route with coffee at Aston Pottery (dep 11am) and pub lunch at the Victoria in Eastleach (dep 1:30pm-ish). We'll be taking the direct route to Aston via Buckland, Tadpole Bridge and along Great Brook. On to Black Bourton, Alvescot and Filkins. Returning from Eastleach via Southrop - with final route back to be decided on the day. Distance will be about 50 miles. Riders welcome to ride with us to or meet us at coffee.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Des Higgs Ginny Henderson Helen Beane John Holding Maurice Bawden Richard Preece Robert Shaw Stephen Lee Steve Swanton Steven Rogers Tony Smith Riders = 12 Report: 8 of us set out from the Market Place on an overcast and breezy Autumnal morning. We took the direct route to Aston Pottery, via Charney Bassett, Buckland and the great brook, making good speed into the wind. We arrived in just under an hour to find 10 bikes already lined up outside the cafe; 8 from Oxford and 2 independent riders had already arrived for coffee. After a leisurely break, 2 Oxford riders and Maurice headed home while 15 of us continued into the Cotswolds. Helen took a fairly direct route to Eastleach through Bampton, Black Bourton, Alvescot and Filkins. We arrived at the Victoria at 12:10 and received very prompt service for lunch. The food was excellent and the terrace was sufficiently sheltered for us to sit outside, despite the breeze. Tony phoned from Rowstock at 11:45 to say he was on his way and managed to reach us by 1:30 just as we were preparing to leave. We gave him just enough time to use the facilities and refill his water bottles before we set off. I led the afternoon stretch. We had decided to ride together as far as Hatford. One rider decided to lead off in the wrong direction leading to some confusion, but eventually we all regrouped and continued together. We took a more southerly loop back via Little Faringdon, Langford and Grafton to cross the Thames at Radcot Bridge (shortly after we met Brian). Then it was up into the Vale via Thrupp to Littleworth and over the hideaway to Hatford. Here we said our goodbyes, with Oxford folk turning left while Wantage folk turned right towards Shellingford. It was hard work into the wind and I was more than happy to tuck in behind Tony’s wheel as he and Ginny led the group westwards as far as Fernham. Then relief as we turned north to Uffington and tea. We enjoyed the excellent tea and cake (including gluten-free biscuits) in the church and then the tailwind back across the Vale to Grove. It was an excellent day out and a successful joint ride, 21 riders in all. There was a good balance between the two groups and it was nice to meet some new faces from Oxford. Steve S
Distance: 88.51 km (55.00 mi)
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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