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Past Ride

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Tue Aug 2nd 2011

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: The Ridgeway Trio - 39km with some lumpy bits! Out via Letcombes, Hackpen, Seven Barrows and Blowingstone, back up Hackpen from Sparsholt and return via the Letcombes. Three ascents up to the Ridgeway - bring plenty of water - it's going to be a hot one!
Riders: Andy Cowan Chris Walters David Ryan Frank Schroer Jenny Williamson John Tranter Paul Jarvis Paul Ryan Robert Ryan Sarah Shackleton Riders = 10 Report: Driving over the Ridgeway, it was clear that the sultry conditions earlier in the day were not going to last. We hadn't got out of Old Mill Hall before the heavens opened. And once you're wet, it doesn't matter any more, so we ploughed on through deep standing water and streams flowing down the side of the road. Just before the Letcombes we had the first of the Ryan punctures with Paul dropping out with a flat, only to get as far as the base of Hackpen Hill with David suffering a similar fate. Richard and the sag wagon were summoned. By now the rain was pretty much over and the roads were dry - a quick conflab changed the route as going down Blowingstone Hill with wet brakes and grit on the road isn't a great idea. Did I mention the intensity of the rain in Wantage? I've never before cycled in such a sudden and solid downpour, but at least it wasn't cold too! A trouble-free ascent of Hackpen followed by the fantastic descent towards Childrey went off without incident, and we took the call to head back via Park Lane as the weather was actually quite pleasant by now. True to form, there were a few spots of rain just outside Grove, where funnily enough, there was not much appetite to stop and chat. I'm betting that there will be a few orange chains emerging over the next few days...
Distance: 30.30 km (18.83 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/103706069
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=288975"
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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