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Past Ride

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Sun Sep 30th 2012

Easy Sunday Afternoon Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A leisurely and sociable ride suitable for all, including families, an ideal introduction to group cycling. We'll be heading to Uffington for tea by way of the springline villages of East Challow, Childrey, Sparsholt and Kingston Lisle, returning through the Vale via Baulking and Goosey. A round trip of about 20 miles at a relaxed pace of about 10 miles per hour. We'll stop regularly to rest, enjoy the views and look at anything that takes our interest. This will be the last Sunday this year when tea and cakes will be served in St. Mary's church. It's all homebaked, good value and in a lovely setting. If you've never been then do come along on the ride or meet us there from about 3:30pm.
Riders: Castel Fairlie Claire Prestidge David Bridge Frank Schroer Gerald Foster John Stamp Jon Siddle Lorna Swanton Matthew Quartermain Neil Warner Sara Smith Stephen Quartermain Steve Burr Steve Swanton Tracey Oakden Vicky Mann Riders = 16 Weather: Report: Another great turnout (16) for a weekend 1* ride despite the overcast and breezy conditions. A warm welcome to newcomers Castel, Claire, Gerald, Jon and Vicky. Gerald was riding a veteran, 1920s single speed roadster; probably the oldest bike we've had on a club ride, and much admired by those technically minded. At the other end of the spectrum... Steve B was riding the youngest bike to date; his new Specialised Secteur roadbike fresh from the bike shop on Saturday! We left Grove via Downsview Road (to the Technology Park) to take the old airfield road up to Stockham. From there a short stretch along the A417 before turning off into East Challow where we took the track and bridleway to Childrey. After a short stop on the road to Sparsholt to allow Lorna, who'd started late, to catch up and join us, we continued through the villages to Kingston Lisle. Our earlier climbing efforts were then rewarded by the sharp descent of Fawler Hill. Very soon we were down in Uffington and parking up in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church. As ever, there was a wonderful choice of cakes and a good sized pot of tea with hot water for a refill. While we were queueing, Pat and Sue arrived from Lambourn. It was good to have a brief catch up. Then as we were preparing to leave, sudden drama. Steve B had lost his padlock key! A flurry of searching: the church, the path, the tables, the church kitchen, loo, clothing and bag. Eventually it was found, deep in a pocket. Phew! With relief we set off back to Grove taking the flat and wind-assisted route via Baulking and Goosey. We became rather stretched out on the way back, with the experienced riders taking turns to chat with Gerald pushing his single-speed at the rear. Unfortunately, after Goosey the leading group of riders caught the smell of home and disappeared from view, leaving 4 of us behind. These things happen sometimes, but we understand the rest made it safely back to Grove. A real highlight for me today was the gentle chirrup of chatter from the group behind as we rode back from Baulking. To me that easy sociability is one of the delights of group riding. See you all for the next one - Sara's ride on the 20th October.
Distance: 32.19 km (20.00 mi)
On the track from Challow to Childrey Tea and cakes in the church The lost key is found Admiring the veteran cycle
Comment on this ride

Written by : Claire Prestidge

Posted on : October 2, 2012 at 2:29 PM

Thanks for a very enjoyable afternoon, it was good to stretch the legs and meet a new bunch of people who obviously enjoy their cycling as much as I do (and the tea and cakes were as good as they were promised to be).
Apologies for not waiting for everyone to re-group at OMH after the ride. I didn't realise we were supposed to and I just followed suit as I saw others wend their way home. It was only afterwards I thought that it would have been good manners to wait and thank you for organising the ride and also thought of the safety implications of checking that everyone had made it back safely.
Once again thank you for organising the trip and I look forward to joining the group on further rides in the near future.

Written by : Castel

Posted on : October 2, 2012 at 2:43 PM

My first time out on a club ride and really enjoyed it. The members made you feel very welcome and they were very socialable.

I appreciate this was a level 1* ride and therefore differing paces.

Noted next time I will also finish at the start point I appreicate that we should be logged back in.

Thanks.

Castel

Ride Filter

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