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Past Ride

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Sun Dec 6th 2015

Mince Pie Ride - Off-road	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: For full details of the event see the "Annual Mince Pie Ride" entry. The 2* off road ride will leave at about 9:55 (about the same time as the 3* ride) - but please arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand to register. You can also contact me on: robin.tucker1@yahoo.co.uk The route is fairly straightforward - it's up to The Ridgeway and then west to the White Horse. But the terrain is slippery when wet and can get a bit claggy. So good knobblies are best!
Riders: John Davies Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Another great Mince Pie Ride - we had huge numbers of people in Wantage Market Place for the start. 5 of us doing the off-road ride: 2 regulars and 3 newcomers: Donae, Kevin and Matt. We left Wantage through a back route to Letcombe Bassett. Then it was up to Letcombe Regis and the biggest climb of the day up Gramps Hill to the Ridgeway. This is a tough one, and there was some walking involved. Turning right, we were then heading straight into the wind for the next 5 or 6 miles. The Ridgeway undulated up and down, the surfaces were pretty good, but the wind... Eventually we made it to the Mulled Wine and Mince Pies at White Horse car park. There were a lot of cyclists around, but still plenty of provisions. After 20 minutes of tucking in it was time to return. Unfortunately the first part of the return journey is a climb up a steep and chalky slope behind the hill fort. I can't say that this was a crowd-pleaser. Nor was the next climb. But the good news is that this was it for the climbing and we enjoyed a whizz down Sparsholt Field track and then picked up the road to Children, with a well-earned tail wind. I saw the others off at Childrey, on to the bridleway back to Wantage. Then turned north and headed to the Fox and a wonderful Christmas feast! Distance was 9 miles out, and 9 miles to the Fox (about the same back to Wantage for the others).
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
Made it! Off-roaders arrive at the meet (MPR 2015)
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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