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Past Ride

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Sat Aug 13th 2011

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A gentle tour, aiming to be useful as well by showing the way to Didcot and back using mostly Sustrans routes. We'll go out via Lockinge, the Harwell Campus and Upton - going into Didcot on a converted railway track with several interesting seats. We'll stop for a drink and snack in Didcot. Then we'll ride round the back of the power station (more pleasant than it sounds!) and back to Grove via Steventon. About 22 miles at a gentle pace. If it is really hot and tiring, I will shorten the route. Bring a drink and small snack (I can carry these if you don't have a bottleholder or bag).
Riders: Chloe Tucker Guy Yeates John Tranter Kerry Tucker Luke Smith Robin Tucker Steve Burr Susan Holdroyd Wendy Yates Riders = 9 Report: I set myself a challenge to introduce people to some new routes with this ride, and I think I succeeded. We left Wantage by a familiar route, on Sustrans 44 through Lockinge and to Harwell. From there it was less well known - climbing Hagborne Hill, with good views, then down into Upton and on to a former railway line into Didcot, punctuated with interesting seats. We meandered up to the Cornerstone Centre and punctuated our own ride with tea and cakes from the cafe there. Although cloudy it was warm enough to sit outside. Then we continued on Sustrans 5 round past Didcot Station. At the top of the windy cyclepath we encountered a dozen plus cyclists coming the other way on an eclectic collection of bikes: Bromptons, Moultons and even a recumbent - the rider of that bike and Guy were both surprised to see another recumbent. This turned out to be the Folding Bike Society on their 'Origami Ride'. (www.foldsoc.co.uk - and based in Steventon which I didn't know despite living there!) We continued past the back of the power station, where I learned that the cooling towers would be coming down when the station closes in 2015. We'll lose a navigation landmark to some and an eyesore to others. We left Sustrans routes at Sutton Courtenay, turning towards Milton Manor and heading into Steventon via a twisty and cobbled bridleway, with a couple of large holes near a stream. This was a tough handling test, particularly for Guy on his recumbent and there was a bit of pushing to see us safely past. After we emerged in Steventon, we took the familiar Hanney Road and A338 back to Grove. A bit of a slog to be honest, with some headwind, I should probably have put in another pause in this section although time was pressing on. But we did make it back at about 6pm for a 25 mile total. For Steve, his longest ride ever - a great achievement!
Distance: 40.23 km (25.00 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