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Tue Aug 8th 2017

Tuesday 4* Evening Ride	4*

Leader: Phil Ward	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Weekly 1.5-2 hours ride at a riding pace of 25-29km/h (16-18mph). THIS IS A HILLY RIDE. Lights please folks - twiddly gears, drink and something to nibble at your discretion. Prompted by their album The Sunset Tree, The Mountain Goats have inspired a route to the SouthEast for those of a similarly caprine tendency. Crimped by an onrushing sunset allowing just over two hours play, we need to take a fairly direct route "up and down Chain" to cross the A34 at Beedon, where the "lanes fun" begins with an exciting descent towards Hampstead Norreys - care here, can be gravel-strewn. Tonight's feature follows soon after; a little used climb up Thornhill to Woodrows Farm, perched on top of the Compton Downs. The reward, as if the climb itself doesn't have you in raptures is the descent par excellence of Applepie Hill, followed by the Compton rollers. We return via the infrequently climbed Copperage (Copperhead) Road humming that gravelly Steve Earle ditty as we go. This affords us the luxury of a final fling down Chain Hill in the rays of the setting sun where the ride will end at a scheduled 8:30pm. 50km / 610m vertical
Riders: Hugh Falkner Nick Fisher Nick Stokell Peter Cowan Phil Ward Richard Hypher Richard Kembleton Riders = 7 Weather: Report: A cool and becalmed evening emerged from an afternoon of sporadic deluges, to reward those determined to make the most of the remaining evening ride opportunities. Six departed OMH including Richard Hypher making a 4* debut and we collected Pete Cowan in mid-decent of Chain Hill to make it a magnificent seven. With cloud breaking sporadically to allow a filtered oblique evening glow to pick out the headlands as we progressed through the Downland villages, a hint of Autumn was in the air. Successive short but sharp inclines kept us honest, in particular Nick F who made the obvious choice of a single-speed for a ride with over 600m of climbing â€“ a fit fellow indeed. Richard K took a helpful front role in ensuring some of the less obvious turns were not missed, thanks Richard. Having revelled in the pacey gravel-strewn decent to Hampstead Norreys we paused briefly to ascertain a rare 4* puncture was salvable and leaving the very capable Rich to catch us up, set off up Thorn Hill. To my delight, this was indeed a new climb to many of the gang and proved a pleasing effort, popping us out at Woodrows Farm midway between the Four Points and Applepie Hill. I once-again failed in my long-held wish to descend â€œthe Pieâ€ without touching the brakes â€“ it is possible, but not for the faint hearted. Compton Rollers and Ilsley Alps knocked off, we clawed up Copperage Road to Farnborough in the advancing dusk and with fiery tails lit dropped stone-like from the head of Chain Hill to end a very pleasant 2 hours action. My thanks to you all â€“ no drama, much chatter, sorted
Distance: 50.50 km (31.38 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/16736698
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22981092"
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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