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Past Ride

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Sun Aug 18th 2013

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: John Talbot	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 was a route I planned to lead in January but it was snowing A ride north of Oxford taking in Cumnor, Eynsham and Bladon to Woodstock where we can take elevenses. Then via Bletchington and Islip for a lunchstop at The Victoria Arms in Old Marston. We will then navigate roads of my boyhood adventures through Oxford and return to Wantage via Kennington, Radley and Abingdon. Potential tea-stop at The Throwing Buns if required. Total distance 107km (66 miles) with mostly flat terrain. EDIT :- Tweaked route slightly to go through Woodstock (would be a shame to bypass it) where we can take a short break as lunch will be quite late. Also a nicer/quieter route through Oxford.
Riders: Chris Walters John Talbot Nick Dunton Nicole Pethybridge Richard Preece Steve Swanton Riders = 6 Weather: Report: We definitely had the better day of the weekend! Mostly sunny and fairly warm although cool when the Sun went in. Six riders headed off to Childrey up probably the hardest hill of the day. We then turned away from the wind and had a glorious tailwind blowing us at a fast pace to Southmoor, Appleton and Cumnor. After the drop to Farmoor Nick headed off to run the Tombola at the Vicar's Fun Day in Sutton Courtenay. He'll appear later in the story We headed through Eynsham and a rather busy road towards Long Hanborough (one deliberate close pass was not appreciated). We turned left to climb into Church Hanborough and drop into Long Hanborough on a quieter road. Steve had the great idea of stopping in Bladon for a break rather than the unknowns of Woodstock. An excellent value teastop (http://www.parkhousebladon.co.uk/) and highly recommended. After refreshment we headed to Woodstock and then out to Bletchingdon and Islip. We were on roads I often cycled as a boy to Woodeaton (where I got stung by a wasp on my leg!) and Marston. Then the slight disaster of the ride as we were told there was a 40min wait for food at the Victoria Arms. This turned into 60mins and then 75mins and we were not impressed. Nice surroundings but terrible service. Steve and I gave up asking for our food and ended up grabbing the first two plates of food that came out whether it was ours or not! A two hour lunch break was not what we needed. I apologise for choosing it! We headed to north Oxford and a pleasant back road route into the city past the parks and museums to Broad Street. We went through Carfax and out of the city along the Abingdon Road. A quick pace through Kennington, Radley and Abingdon followed. We diverted slightly from the route to Culham to get to the Vicar's Fun Day on the green in Sutton Courtenay where we met Nick again and grabbed a tea or ice cream just before the fun ended at 4pm. We knew the wind was going to be against us for the final leg and we weren't disappointed, the Hanney Road from Steventon was a drag. We took turns to take the wind but it was still hard work. The A338 to Wantage was possibly even harder! But we were back at the Market Place at 4.50pm which was still before my 5pm estimate despite the ridiculous lunch break! A great social ride with a rubbish lunch stop. I hope I'm forgiven for that
Distance: 108.90 km (67.67 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1658319
Bladon Tea Rooms Where's our food??? Vicar's Fun Day. Yes Chris, FUN!!
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2065815"
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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