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Past Ride

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Sat Sep 15th 2012

Easy Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: This will be the first of new regular series of monthly leisurely rides on the third Saturday of each month. Note the start time of 2pm for this ride This is a ride I've been thinking about for some time taking in newly-accessible ground through the Harwell Oxford campus. We'll cover about 20 miles to Chilton Garden centre for tea and back, at a leisurely pace of about 10 miles per hour. The route follows a figure of eight through the Springline villages to Chilton using Sustrans route 44 and a mix of quiet country lanes and easy off-road paths and tracks. Out via Charlton, Lockinge, Ginge, the Hendreds and the Icknield Way. We'll return through the Harwell Oxford campus, the Ginge Farm track, Betterton, Ardington and Lains Barn. Some gentle climbs and three great descents. We'll stop regularly to catch our breath and enjoy the views. Expect to be back in Grove by 5pm.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Bridge John Stamp John Tranter Kerry Tucker Lorna Swanton Matthew Quartermain Stephen Quartermain Steve Burr Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Tracey Oakden Riders = 13 Report: What a glorious day and a great turn-out for our first regular Easy Saturday afternoon ride. A warm welcome to Tracey and it was good to see Carin out again too. Our route followed the A338 cyclepath to Charlton and on to the Lord Nelson to join Sustrans route 44. After regrouping briefly, we continued along the bridleway to Lockinge, rejoined the road, passed the stables and fire engine, then up the short hill to Best Mate's statue for a breather. It's a gentle but steady climb from Lockinge to Ginge and riders took it at their own speed regrouping in the sunshine at the top (and enjoying the views to the Ridgeway). After Ginge, our climbing efforts were rewarded with the long downhill into West Hendred. At the bottom we turned right onto the metalled footpath to East Hendred. (Although a footpath, we use this occasionally as an alternative to the Ginge farm track - we give way and dismount if there are pedestrians.) We enjoyed a short tour of the beautiful village of East Hendred before climbing back up to route 44 on the Icknield Way for the Harwell Campus. We continued through Harwell on route 44 across the lights on the A4185 and onto the track towards Hagbourne Hill. After 1/2 mile there is a good track on the right to Chilton. This goes under the A34 and comes out at the bottom of Hagbourne Hill just before the A34 roundabout. We continued through Chilton village and turned left into the Paddocks onto a second bridleway that descends to a second tunnel under the A34 that comes out by the garden centre. Service for tea was rather slow, but the cakes were lovely and it was gorgeous sitting in the sun on the terrace. Our return involved a new route for the club - through the eastern side of the Harwell campus that used to be closed to the public. After following a wiggly route through the old UKAEA site we eventually rejoined the Icknield Way and route 44. We followed route 44 via the Ginge track back to Betterton and then climbed the short hill before our second great descent down to Ardington. Here Brian, Susan and Tracey branched off for Wantage while the rest of us continued to the top of the Lains Barn cross-roads for our final long descent into the Vale. We eventually returned to Grove at about 5:45, somewhat later than planned (I'd rather underestimated our speed on the off-road sections) but after a lovely ride. Thanks everyone for coming and see you all next time. Steve
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
Enjoying a breather in Lockinge Old cottages in East Hendred John and Brian kindly acted as sweepers Time for a rest Steve on the narrow part of route 44 by Harwell Regrouping by the diversion at Harwell Crossing Harwell field to Chilton Cycling back on the Ginge farm track Nearly back in Grove
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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