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Past Ride

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Sun Jun 17th 2012

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: 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. Climbing almost inevitable. This months ride will head out to Streatley and Goring. A few hills before lunch, but taken at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings! Out-From Wantage we will head up Chain Hill before turning left for Farnborough, West and East Ilsley, Compton, Aldworth, Goring and Streatley. The plan is to stop for lunch here, but if it's busy (It's Fathers Day!) we will seek out an alternative on the homeward route. Return-From Goring we will pick up the Icknield Way to Wallingford, Little Wittenham, Long Wittenham, Appleford, Sutton Courtenay, Drayton, Steventon, NCN 44 to Wantage. Approx- 51.5 miles (83 kms)
Riders: David Smith David Yearley Derek Boutle Des Higgs Glen Savegar Steven Rogers Ursula Hallam Riders = 7 Report: Unfortunately there was little opportunity for us to ease into our ride gently as we were immediately confronted with the sharp incline of Chain Hill from Wantage, but were rewarded for our efforts with the lovely views from the road heading east to the Ilsleys, where we were met by Ursula and David who had cycled over from Newbury to join us. Having bags of time on our hands and not wanting to arrive at Goring too early, the byeway east of Compton seemed like an interesting diversion from our planned route. Well!..a promising enough beginning (and end!), but also a stretch of track midway more suited to a ramble than a cycle ride, so a little dismounting and pushing of bikes was required as I realised we had probably reached the point of no return. Still!..a pleasant diversion, but probably not a great decision for a road ride...and we even picked up a puncture for our troubles from a thorn!..Oops..Sorry Derek! Anyway enough of that!..We were soon back on course, and heading downhill to cross the Thames at Streatley for lunch at The John Barleycorn Inn. Nice baguettes sitting in the garden, and enjoying the welcome return of our dear old friend the sun Iknield way and quiet roads followed after lunch, where we said goodbye to Ursula and David at the crossroads west of Woodcote. Crossing the river once more at Wallingford, there followed a brief magical mystery tour of Brightwell Cum Sotwell, and a partially successful attempt to guess the correct exit from the village. A pleasant but uneventful return home skirting Wittenham Clumps, and onto Appleford, Sutton Courtenay, Drayton, and Steventon. No takers for tea at Q Gardens this time around, so we opted instead to cut the route ever so slightly short, and head home by way of Hanney Cow Road. Thanks everyone for your company, and a big welcome back to Des. It was really nice to see you out on your bike again! Glen S
Distance: 77.25 km (48.00 mi)
Phew!...Made it to the top of Chain Hill! Poppies and Punctures...:-) Who could not love a garden and view like this?
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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