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Past Ride

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Tue Jul 8th 2014

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: David Smith	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A little longer than normal and lumpy in places, we will head out to Wantage and up Manor Road and take the left at Woolley towards and through Brightwalton to cross the B4494 and take the short sharp hill to Peasemore. From there we head via Stanmore, the Ilsleys and Farnbrough to Chain Hill and the return to Grove. I will be setting off promptly at 18:30 due to the length of the ride.
Riders: Andy Pixton David Smith David Talboys Jason Jones Karen Froud Katherine Boyce Louis Hall Peter Cowan Peter Greenfield Phil Stubbings Rachel Bennett Ursula Hallam Riders = 12 Weather: Report: Well, that was fun wasn't it! Numbers across all rides seemed reduced for some reason tonight, maybe the heavy showers about 18:00 had something to do with it. In the end 11 3* riders set of with increasing sunshine and warmth towards Wantage and Manor Hill. We made great time up Manor Hill and all enjoyed the descent to the Cross at the turn to Brightwalton where we all regrouped again. After the drop down to and ascent up from the cross roads before Brightwalton the heavens opened and the group took shelter under several trees. As we all stood waiting for the rain to stop Pete Cowan came up the hill behind us to meet up with the rest of the group. He mentioned that there was a large bus shelter in the village and half of us decided to head for that, but I'm not sure it was a great idea as the rain then turned to hail! We all eventually regrouped at the bus shelter as the rain stopped and the sky started to lighten. After some debate, OK not much debate, we decided to call it a ride and head directly back to Chain Hill and Grove as people were wet and cold. Initially this didn't seem like a good choice as the weather continued to improve, but as we reached the B4494 and headed for Chain Hill the heavens opened again and a strong headwind came out of the North, I'm sure I heard someone say winters coming! We made it to the top of Chain Hill and then most of us had a slow and cautious descent down through the rivers of white chalk wash coming of the fields. Most of the group went their separate ways home from the bottom of Chain Hill and a small group of 3 returned together to Grove. Thanks to Louis for being an excellent sweep and to everybody for braving the elements and giving it a go! I will put the full route on again at some point, possibly during a drought.
Distance: 29.50 km (18.33 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2968904
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5204428"
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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