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Sun Aug 13th 2017

Dibbly Dawdle	3*

Leader: Nick Dunton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Waterfront Cafe, Benson
Description: A route for all you Dawn French fans, visiting Turville where the Vicar of Dibley was filmed. Not for TV couch-potatoes, though: 109 km and 957m climbing at three-star pace. Start at the Waterfront Cafe in Benson - [parking in St Helen's Avenue: coming from Oxford direction, left opposite the cafe and immediately right]. Cafe opens at 08.00, so plenty of opportunity for caffeine loading and loo visits before the depart. We take the back way through Wallingford and over the Ridgeway to Ipsden, with a grungy, grass-down-the-middle lane to climb towards Stoke Row. After that, easier roads to Henley and the attractive riverside road to Remenham and the climb of Remenham Hill. Optional coffee stop at the fantastic Velolife, Warren Row. From there it is fairly flat to the lunch stop at Jenner's Cafe, Maidenhead. We then ascend Winter Hill [the easier way], through Marlow, then lovely lanes through Freith and Fingest to reach Turville. Then hard work up the Turville Tunnel to Christmas Common and a fast descent of Watlington Hill. Then pretty flat home through Chalgrove. Afternoon tea at the Waterfront. Please text me if you intend to ride.
Riders: Andrew Small David Smith Joy Arthur Katherine Boyce Nick Dunton Sharon Bedford Ursula Hallam Riders = 7 Weather: Report: If I were to specify the ideal weather for cycling I reckon it would be pretty close to todays offering: warm and sunny without ever being hot enough to raise a sweat; and a cooling breeze that was never strong enough to impede progress. Perfect. Six riders set off from Benson well fed and caffeinated and we picked-up Andrew Small in Stoke Row, resisting the new cafÃ© there. I was under strict instructions not to damage myself ahead of my daughter's wedding photos next week, so we took the descents at a sensible pace, especially Witheridge Hill which was running with what we hoped was water, although it smelt worse. After Henley and Remenham Hill we stopped at the aching cool Velolife, together with what seemed about 100 other cyclists. Plenty of shaved legs and carbon bling on display. Lunch at Jennerâ€™s was a little slow but satisfying. Climbing out of Marlow I identified what caused my blowout on the Boulters Bash a few weeks ago: two badly eroded drain-covers which I hope I have now mapped in my memory for future reference. We polished off the Turville Tunnel and Watlington Hill without difficulty and all too soon were back in Benson. Great company and collaborative riding throughout. Thanks to David for minding the back.
Distance: 107.00 km (66.49 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10024599
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10024599"
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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