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Past Ride

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Tue May 1st 2012

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Frank Schroer	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Out via Grove Park Drive (past Lains Barn), crossing over A417, pass through Ardington, Ginges and West Hendred. Here we can decide to follow one or more sections of the Sustrans 44 onto East Hendred or even onto the Harwell Business centre. If not, we take the A417from West Hendred to Rowstock where we turn right onto the A4185, which we follow (crossing over the A34) until the turn for Upton. From Upton we ride a part of the Sustrans route (traffic free with goods views) to Didcot. Then after cycling through Didcot, depending on time, weather etc. there is the option to ride a bit more of a Sustrans route to Sutton Courtenay and get a real close view of the Didcot power station's cooling towers (before part of them are being taken down in a few years time) or otherwise take the road straight into Milton Park. Then via the Milton interchange and Steventon we put a few more miles in heading towards East Hanney. There again there are options: either go straight back to Grove on the A338 or do the additional (traffic-wise quiter) West Hanney-Denchworth loop to Grove. Maybe advisable to have lights for the last section. 29/04/12 I will decide on the day if the above (or a ride at all?) is feasable at all given the recent rain as floods can make part of the route impassable and also it might be hard to get decent averages if it's windy. More rain is forecast for Monday evening so we might not be able to tell what it's like until the evening itself - if it looks grim weather or roadwise we can do something shorter perhaps.
Riders: Andrew Johnson Andy Cowan David Smith Frank Schroer Phil Stubbings Richard Preece Ursula Hallam Riders = 7 Report: 7 of us did set off for the planned route, taking advance of a decent weather window. At East Ginge the option to ride the Sustrans route 44 was chosen (avoiding the section of the A417 that has to be taken otherwise). Sustrans 44 was then followed all the way down the Harwell Business Centre as well (few muddy sections, but nothing road bikes could not handle). Upon suggesting we could carry on at the sustrans 44, rather than doing the loop past Chilton, this option was picked, providing us with great views. At Upton we continued on this route over the disused railway providing brilliant long shadows - sharing the last part of the route with some runners from Didcot running club. After the link-up section through Didcot past the train station we picked up Sustrans route number 5. In the section around the power station, an obstacle by means of the path covered in floodwater was encountered. The ride leader volunteered to see how deep the water actually got (wet feet indeed!) and was surprised to see everyone followed. By way of Sutton Courtenay, Milton Park and Steventon we headed to East Hanney were it was decided to do the West Hanney-Denchworth loop. The road between West Hanney and Denchworth was heavily flooded but all of us went for it and yes it was a proper flood - we don't often get the opportunity to cycle through (at least) knee-deep floodwater after all and it was hard going at the deepest point. A few more, relatively less spectacular, flooded sections were passed on the way to Grove, where we arrived in the twilight. The ride was a bit of a change as it had a bit of everything and it was well received, which was pleasing as it was the first one I did lead for CTC Wantage
Distance: 47.48 km (29.50 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/624219
Spot the road....(sorry, camera did not handle the level of light well)
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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