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Past Ride

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Sat Aug 16th 2014

Easy Saturday afternoon ride - the Downs on our doorstep	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Leckhampstead village hall
Description: Monthly 16-32km (10-20 miles) family and social afternoon rides, usually with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs. There is some lovely cycling to be enjoyed on the Downs above Wantage, with some quiet lanes, stunning views and picturesque villages to enjoy. So for a change this month, the plan is to start and finish on the Downs with a tea stop at the excellent Saddleback Farm shop cafÃƒÂ© near Farnborough. This will be a slightly hillier than usual 1* ride, but all taken at a leisurely pace with no rush and plenty of time to take in our surroundings. Meet at the village hall car park in Leckhampstead (RG20 8QJ, GR 439763) opposite The Stag PH (small donation requested). The ride will follow a clockwise route visiting the villages of Chaddleworth, Brightwalton, Farnborough and Peasmore with a short detour to see a CTC-winged wheel. A total distance of about 16 miles. For those 2* and 3* riders who would like to get in some hill-climbing, before joining the ride, I will be cycling out and up from Wantage at about 1pm . Please let me know beforehand if you would like to join me.
Riders: Barbara Lambers Brian Hipwell Chris Walters David Bridge David Smith Ellie Paine Michael Tayler Simon Payne Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 10 Weather: Report: An unusual 1* ride, in that a majority of the riders rode to the start, Simon and David joining me to tackle Chain Hill, Brian doing so independently, while Ursula, David and Chris rode up from the South. There was a surprisingly brisk westerly breeze as we headed south. After a gentle descent we stopped by Bradleywood farm to view the CTC winged wheel above the door (bought by the owner, a CTC member, at an auction many years ago). The wind was in our faces as we climbed up the Nodmore valley and turned north towards Chaddleworth. We continued to climb through the village before stopping for a well-earned rest near the church. Continuing on to Brightwalton, the views across the Downs started to open out. Here Barbara and Ellie decided to take the short-cut to the tea stop, while the remainder of us dropped down to Woolley and then climbed steadily up to the B4494 and across to Farnborough before dropping down the hill to the café. Edith and Lorna joined us for tea. Ellie and Barbara disappeared into the maize maze eventually emerging separately at completely different places... After a nice downhill to Lilley, the biggest climb of the day lay in wait en route to Peasmore, thereafter the ride was very mellow. After one final short climb, we made it back to Leckhampstead by 4:45pm. Thanks to David S for sweeping and congratulations to Ellie on completing her hilliest ride and cycling up all of the hills.
Distance: 26.23 km (16.30 mi)
Chaddleworth
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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