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Past Ride

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Sat Jun 15th 2013

Joint Saturday afternoon Easy ride with Isis Cyclists	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Update 14/6 - as the weather forecast is for a strong westerly breeze, we'll go out through the Vale and return via the sheltered lanes through the Spingline villages. There'll be a short tour of the sights of Steventon on the way. Please note 2PM start. This afternoon we are welcoming members of Isis Cyclists, the women's cycling group from Oxford, who will be joining us from the start. We'll be heading East following Sustrans route 44 (with some easy off-road tracks) through the springline villages of Lockinge, Ginge and East Hended to our tea stop at Q-gardens Farm shop, Milton Hill. We'll return through the Vale via Steventon, the Hanneys and Denchworth, a round trip of about 20 miles, at a leisurely pace of about 10mph. We should be back in Grove by 5pm. All welcome including accompanied children. This will be the first of our rides during Bike Week.
Riders: David Bridge Ellen Lee Jane Pearson Janet Hammonds Judith Agnew Lorna Swanton Phil Jeffery Richard Preece Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 10 Weather: Report: At 1:20 the heavens opened and it wasn't looking good. But as we arrived, the rain was stopping and I was very pleasantly surprised to find a group of 20 riders assembling in the car park. We had a nice balance too, with 9 Wantage riders, 9 from Isis plus 2 of their partners. I was just starting my briefing when the rain resumed, so we made quickly for the porch of OMH. But we could see blue sky approaching and by the time we set off the rain was just light. There was a stiff breeze against us as we headed out on the Denchworth road, but soon we were in sunshine and it was feeling decidedly warmer. Another shower caught us en route to Hanney but with a short break under the trees by the church in West Hanney it had soon passed and then it turned into a lovely afternoon. We had a great tailwind across Cow common, but after our rain delays we were running a little late for tea and so had made only a shortened tour of Steventon. Everyone climbed Steventon hill ok, and we were soon at Q-gardens for our tea and cake stop. As ever the service was very efficient, orders were taken and refreshments delivered in very good time. Three riders headed back to Abingdon and Oxford after tea while the rest of us headed up Featherbed Lane into the strong headwind. Once we reached East Hendred, it was more sheltered and we all enjoyed the prettiness of the village as we climbed through it up to route 44. As we set off along the Ginge farm track, the wind seemed to whip up in our faces and it was hard work across to Ginge. But thereafter we were in sheltered lanes again back to Wantage, and even enjoyed a tailwind along the cycletrack to Grove Back at Old Mill Hall about 5:20pm, with everyone saying how much they'd enjoyed it, and Isis members hoping to host a reciprocal ride in the future. It was great to meet the Isis ladies and to make new cycling friends. Thanks to everyone for making the effort to come despite the earlier inclement weather.
Distance: 30.58 km (19.00 mi)
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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