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Past Ride

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Sun Jan 22nd 2017

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Monthly 80-100km (50-65 miles) all-day touring ride, lunch and possibly tea stop en route, at a riding pace of 18-22km/h (11-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing almost inevitable. Update Sat 1600. Checked part of the route this morning. It was v cold, at one point -7degC, but there were no icy patches, so we should be able to do the original route. Update Wed Evening - It looks as if it will be a cold but fine day. If the lanes look icy alternative route will be Ilsleys-Compton-Upper Basildon-Bradfield-Hermitage-Donnington-Gt Shefford-Wantage. I'll assess the state of the roads on Saturday, so check the website Sat evening. Pang Valley Tour This is an exploration of the small lanes along the Pang Valley returning via Bucklebury, Boxford and Brightwalton. After grinding our way up Chain hill and down the other side we turn off onto the lanes at Lilley, working our way over to Beedon and onto Hampstead Norreys where we cross over the River Pang. From here the route wends its way through Frilsham, past the ford and onto Bradfield where we cross over to the South bank and head West through Bucklebury to a lunch stop at Hermitage (Hillier Garden Centre). The return passes through Curridge, Snelsmore Common and Boxford then back via Brightwalton and Letcombe Regis. This is a shortish relatively hilly (1000 m) ride along country lanes which will be rather muddy at this time of year so mudguards are recommended and the route is subject to change depending on the weather. It would be useful to have some idea of numbers so please let me know if you intend coming (nicknpbmd@aol.com or text me on 07582 483315).
Riders: Andy Pixton Hugh Falkner Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Stokell Riders = 6 Weather: Report: You don’t get better days of weather in January than this, which suited a scenic countryside tour of some of the best small lanes that Oxfordshire and W Berkshire have to offer. It was just below freezing when we set off from WMP but we were all up to temperature by the time we reached the top of Chain Hill. An early stop at Hampstead Norreys for a coffee and cake was welcomed by all - highly recommended for future rides. Jon then departed for dog minding duty, and we headed down the quiet lanes towards Bradfield. A week of dry weather had left the roads clear of mud and ice, occasionally with a thin veneer of frost, but always with adequate grip. We turned West at Bradfield College and after the wood-lined avenue through Chapel Row we sped down the valley side to Bucklebury. There were a few remaining patches of ice at the North side of the road but these were easily avoided as we worked our way up towards Hermitage. Hilliers GC was the appointed refuelling stop and fulfilled all the requirements admirably. After lunch we climbed up towards Snelsmore and then Boxford, and enjoyed the increasing temperature and the views across the downs. After a pause above Woolley for photos the high speed descent of Manor Road was preferred to Court Hill and we were back at WMP by 1510. A feature of the day was the birdlife – all the hedgerows were teaming with small birds, lots of buzzards at low level and lapwing in the fields. It could almost have been Spring! It was a joy to lead such a friendly and harmonious group.
Distance: 0.00 km (0.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12677382
Top of Woolley Hill looking W towards Fawley Top of Woolley Hill looking W towards Fawley
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18417255"
Comment on this ride

Written by : Karen

Posted on : January 22, 2017 at 5:28 PM

Thanks Nick for a great ride today. Loved the route - tough - but you made it accessible. Thanks too for good decision making and being flexible enough to add unscheduled coffee stop and slightly more direct route home so that we finished before the temp. plummeted. Much appreciated.

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