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Past Ride

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Sat Dec 26th 2015

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: Saturday morning update: This afternoons ride is on. If we find the wind becomes an issue for us, I've planned shorter alternatives. Don't forget this is a Wantage market place start. Monthly 45-55km (30-40 miles) afternoon ride, with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Might be a struggle for new or irregular riders in winter months. NOTE THIS IS A WANTAGE MARKET PLACE START NOT OMH. YOU WILL NEED TO PAY FOR PARKING AS WE WILL BE OUT FOR LONGER THAN THE FREE PARKING ALLOWANCE IN THE COUNCIL CARPARKS. Knowing how much I will have eaten the day before, I am already looking forward to getting out on Boxing Day! We'll head out through the Letcombes, up Holborn Hill, through Childrey and out to the A4117 to pick up the Baulking Road. Out to Fernham, Longcot and up to Compton Beauchamp before heading out to Ashbury, over the Ridgeway to Lambourn and a return back through the Letcombes. Although hillier than would normally be expected on a winter 2, this will be at 2 pace no one will be left behind. With it being Boxing Day, the only café open will be Wantage Costa, so there will be a tea stop at the end of the ride, thus giving us more daylight than usual at this time of year. That said please do remember to bring lights with you.
Riders: Alan Gale Andy Pixton Brian Hipwell David Smith John Tranter Katherine Boyce Mike Boardman Nick Stokell Richard Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Ursula Hallam Riders = 11 Weather: Report: The Wantage Mummers were just finishing their Boxing Day performance as we started to gather in the square. Ursula and David had cycled over from Newbury and reported that cycling conditions were okay. Richard provided the Christmas decorations via a spectacular Christmas jumper. We again passed the Mummers as we swept through Childrey with the wind on our backs. We said goodbye to Mike at Longcot as he was concerned about his bottom bracket. We thought we had felt the full force of the wind on the Longcot road and then we went up the road to Knighton! Mind you we discovered why it is sometimes necessary to keep a metre between you and the road edge as we crested the Ridgeway above Ashbury - no not for potholes, instead it's to ensure you have somewhere to be blown to The forecast said 20mile winds with gusts up to 40mph. We decided that the gusts were lasting longer than the wind . A tyre issue delayed our entry to Lambourn where we said goodbye to Ursula and David. Then it was the most delightful ascent to the Ridgeway with the wind at our backs before speedy descents of Hackpen Hill. Brian peeled off before the Market Square and having just missed Costa, the rest of us decided to skip coffee in the Bear. Although this was a hard 2* ride, made much harder by the high wind, everyone coped really well and seemed to enjoy themselves, thanks everyone.
Distance: 56.00 km (34.80 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/458164023
Brief pause atop Ashbury Hill Richard setting the standard for Christmas jumpers
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11469305"
Comment on this ride

Written by : Mike Boardman

Posted on : December 27, 2015 at 10:20 AM

After leaving you at Longcot my bottom bracket got worse but did get me back to Grove. It was quickly fixed with my Dad's tools and am back on the road today. It was good riding with you for the part I did and I look forward to joining you again next year.

Ride Filter

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