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Past Ride

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Sun Dec 17th 2017

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Nick Dunton	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. Nearly the shortest day, so only 74 km but bring lights as we will almost certainly finish in the gloom. Hilly first half with some small, muddy lanes; second half is flatter on larger roads. Out over Chain Hill, though to Isleys to Four Points, then down Streatley Hill [optional coffee stop in Streatley, c. 30km]. Then through minor lanes to Ipsden. Climb again to Nuffield and then the brilliant descent of Brixton Hill. Lunch in CatherineÃ¢ï¿œï¿œs CafÃƒÂ©, Wallingford @ 53km. Then home through Didcot, Harwell and the A417 [I may vary the route home for a little extra mileage, depending on group composition, timing, weather, etc.].
Riders: Eddie Little Jo Little Joy Arthur Karl Blake Nick Dunton Riders = 5 Weather: Report: Pragmatism in a ride-leader is a virtue at this time of year: good, as we tore-up most of the second half of this ride in order to keep reasonably clean and safe. Remarkably, we still hit the advertised mileage! The leader had a fit of the vapours at the top of Chain Hill, probably induced by trying to keep-up with Eddie. Joy couldn't find any pulse, so it was decided that I must be fit enough to continue. Thankfully the roads were ice-free, although wet, and we made good progress to Streatley. The descent of Streatley Hill was largely dry. Consternation in Goring when we found the Boat House Cafe was closed for renovation but the Swan Hotel was serving coffee and cake in their bar, so all was well. The rain started while we relaxed there. We decided to omit the climb to Nuffield, as all the alternate routes would have been filthy, and went straight to Wallingford. The lights on the bridge seemed stuck on red, so we used the footpath to cross. Consternation again when we found Catherine's Cafe closed [a brief Victor Meldrew moment for me] but the Bean & Brew a few doors down gave us a good lunch in a somewhat fuggy atmosphere. Pragmatism dictated a flat and relatively direct route home as rain and wind were persistent. So we went through the Moretons, Appleford, Sutton Courtenay, Drayton, Steventon and Grove. Grove railway bridge being the only KoM challenge. Back in Wantage just after 3 p.m. Not the most pleasant three-star ride of the year but winter miles equal summer smiles. That hot bath felt good. Now to clean the bike
Distance: 74.26 km (46.14 mi)
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11311837"
Comment on this ride

Written by : Eddie little

Posted on : December 17, 2017 at 10:47 PM

Look forward to your rides for 2018ðŸš´ðŸ‘Thankyou!!ðŸ˜€

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