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Past Ride

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Sat Dec 30th 2017

Fifth Saturday Special	3*

Leader: Andy Pixton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: All-day touring ride (80-100km / 50-65 miles), 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. NOTE THE START IN WANTAGE. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR PARKING TRY ORMOND ROAD. THERE IS FREE ON ROAD PARKING AVAILABLE. A ride close to home but with lots of cafe opportunities! Providing the weather works for us we'll get most of the climbing out of the way in the morning - over the Ridgeway to Lambourn and then the lovely road back over the Ridgeway to Ashbury before descending back into the Vale to Shrivenham. We'll then skirt Highworth before Faringdon and a further descent, this time to the Thames. Brampton, Buckland, Charney, Denchworth and a return to Wantage via Grove. Nearer the time I'll work out which cafes are open and on the day we can decide on how many stops. We should be back well before dark but please bring lights.
Riders: Andy Pixton David Smith Eddie Little Jo Little John Tranter Karen Townsin Karl Blake Ursula Hallam Riders = 8 Weather: Report: It was a pleasantly warm and dry December day, but very blustery. There were four riders already waiting in the marketplace, when the deputy ride leader turned up. After waiting for any latecomers, we were off, straight into the wind, through the Letcombes and up Hackpen Hill. Although this was hard work, it was more difficult as it became a crosswind, on the descent to Lambourn. Following a brief discussion we all decided to press on, anyway, and conditions steadily improved. Our ranks were swelled, in Lambourn, with the addition of David, Ursula, and Karen, who had already cycled further than we had, to join us. After a brief pause, while Eddie speedily fixed a puncture, we headed back to the Ridgeway, and down into the Vale. After an early lunch, at the Shrivenham deli-cafe, we returned to the road in even more favourable conditions. The undulating road to Faringdon provided contrast to the lanes around Great Brook, encountered later. David and Ursula left us before Bradbury Clump. The rest of us chose not to make a second stop, and pressed on to Grove, and home. TodayÃƒÂ¢Ã¯Â¿Å“Ã¯Â¿Å“s ride was a pleasant surprise; the weather was warm and dry, with eight riders we had a nice easygoing unit, one stop was sufficient, and we returned to Wantage with plenty of daylight remaining. Thank you to all who turned out, and particularly to John for filling in the gaps in my memory of the route.
Distance: 80.00 km (49.71 mi)
Winter ride along Great Brook Road near Aston Winter ride along Great Brook Road near Aston Winter ride along Great Brook Road near Aston
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26586600"
Comment on this ride

Written by : Eddie Little

Posted on : December 30, 2017 at 10:05 PM

Thank you AndyðŸš´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