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Sat Apr 30th 2016

Oxford Special all day ride	3*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: NOTE: slight change of start time (so you can have a bit longer in bed...) PLEASE NOTE: to try to assess catering, could anyone planning to join this ride contact me to confirm? I don't need a 100% commitment, just wanting to get a feel for it. NB: start at Old Mill Hall, Grove. A re-run of a classic all day Oxford ride, this is a fairly gentle ride, only really designated 3* by the total distance (around 90km / 57 miles). We will go out via Hanney, Steventon & Sutton Courtenay to Long Wittenham, then cross the Thames at Clifton Hampden and go through the Baldons to Garsington and Wheatley. Then a super cunning cut through to Shotover and Headington, past the house with a shark in the roof, down Headington Hill, right into the heart of Oxford for some classic sightseeing moments (I am a College Bursar - I can give you the inside stories). Then we head north for a great lunch stop at the Plough pub in Wolvercote, before some lovely scenery around Port Meadow to Botley and Cumnor, followed by a gentle run home via Fyfield and Charney Bassett. Easy riding pace of 18-22km/h (11-14mph).
Riders: Adrian West Alan Gale Brian Hipwell Carol Bidgood Chris Walters Des Higgs John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Lyn Taylor Matthew Bray Mike Bailey Mila Yearley Nicole Pethybridge Olivia Pile Richard Kidd Roger Postbeschild Riders = 17 Weather: Report: Wow - that was a big group! I guess it was a rare day without hailstorms. So 17 of us set off on a lovely sunny morning. There was good group discipline and the ride stayed together well. All went according to plan, the Wheatley-Shotover link track was fairly dry and the swoop down into Oxford was as exhilarating as ever. We couldn't resist a photo opportunity with the Headington shark. Oxford was swarming with students and tourists so fighting our way through the crowds was mildly challenging. We had a quick look at St Cross College's new building, tried not to look at the 60's horror architecture of University HQ in Wellington Square and were pretty impressed by the new Blavatnik School of Government building in Jericho. We were unimpressed by the scrappy bike path north on the Woodstock Road, but very impressed by the welcome and the food and drink at the Plough in Wolvercote. A bit slow on getting the food orders out, but worth the wait. A slight crisis when Richard discovered his lock was broken and he couldn't release it was solved with the help of the landlord's chisel - that's good service! The second half was uneventful and we successfully avoided a few apocalyptic looking cloud formations. Thanks to all for a great ride!
Distance: 93.34 km (58.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/8740752
Photo opportunity with the Headington shark. How many club members does it take to open a lock? Hmm... If in doubt, ask the landlord for a chisel and hammer...
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/8165493"
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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