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Past Ride

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Sat Jan 26th 2019

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Might be a struggle for new or irregular riders in winter months. Update 7am Saturday. The RIDE IS ON. Good news is that the band of rain is now forecast to reach us around 4pm. Note 1pm start time. I've been waiting to see which way the weather forecast would go - unfortunately it has been getting steadily worse for Saturday! Please keep an eye on the website for an UPDATE on SATURDAY MORNING in case of cancellation. Provisionally, a relatively flat route around the vale with stop planned at the re-opened Coffee Shop in Stanford. We'll make use of a tunnel and then a canny crossing of the A420 at Tubney Wood to reach Appleton on the way. About 28 miles, but with various options to shorten if necessary. Lights would be required for the last stretch home if you stop for tea, but if its gloomy, we'll need them throughout.
Riders: Andy Pixton Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Jackson Des Higgs Eddie Little John Tranter Katherine Boyce Nick Portsmouth Richard Kidd Stephanie Haddrell Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 13 Weather: Report: After the gloomy forecasts before the weekend it was a very pleasant surprise for the sun to come out as riders gathered by Old Mill Hall. But it was breezy, as soon became clear as we headed out towards Denchworth. On the plus side, from Charney Bassett as far as Fyfield, we enjoyed the benefits of a tailwind. Brian suffered a puncture just after crossing the A415, but with tube quickly replaced we were soon back on our way. We crossed the A420 for the first time into Fyfield village and turned eastwards along the old road. Passing around or under a gate, we continued to the tunnel. This took us back under the A420 to a metalled track which steadily climbs up to rejoin the road through Tubney. We continued through the village and passed the golf course to reach the A338. After a short stretch along it, we turned into the Ride and continued on the track through Tubney Wood to emerge on the side of the A420 just to the west of the roundabout. There is a good place to cross here, one carriageway at a time with a wide island in the centre. Once across, we followed the road opposite into Appleton and took a breather by the war memorial. We then turned into the wind. This made for harder than usual work as we headed westwards towards Pusey and Stanford. We split into two groups along this stretch and after regrouping by the A415, I invited 5 of the more athletic riders to ride ahead to get into the queue at the cafÃƒï¿œÃ¯Â¿Å“Ãƒï¿œÃ‚Â©. This worked well as they had already been served by the time the rest of us arrived, and we found them chatting with Jan Mc who had joined us for tea. We were warmly welcomed by Claire the new owner of the Stanford coffee shop (formerly the Huddle). It has been very nicely refurbished and the coffee cake was excellent and good value. IÃƒï¿œÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¯Ã‚Â¿Ã…ï¿œÃƒÂ¯Ã‚Â¿Ã…ï¿œm sure this will become a regular venue on our rides. While several riders made their ways home from the cafÃƒï¿œÃ¯Â¿Å“Ãƒï¿œÃ‚Â©, by the time the rest of us managed to drag ourselves away it was gloomy outside and rain was starting to fall. This just got heavier as we made our way back to Grove. At least it was only for the last stretch and the wind was behind us. Thanks to all for your company and particular thanks to Eddie for sweeping.
Distance: 45.22 km (28.10 mi)
Expert puncture repairing from Brian and Steve! Charney Bassett selfie Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel Tubney tunnel
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29203824"
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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