Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

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Sat Aug 17th 2019

1* Saturday Half Day Ride - Saddle Up to Saddleback	1*

Leader: Nick Portsmouth	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Leckhampstead Village Hall
Description: Monthly 16-32km (10-20 miles) family and social afternoon rides, usually with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs. A repeat of a ride from this weekend 5 years ago which I thought I'd lead to give 1* riders a chance to visit the Saddleback Farm Shop Cafe (owned by the family of one of our members). This is a slightly hillier than usual 1* ride, but will be taken at a leisurely pace with no rush and plenty of time to take in our wonderful surroundings. Meet at the village hall car park in Leckhampstead (RG20 8QJ), opposite the former The Stag PH. The ride will follow a clockwise route visiting the villages of Chaddleworth, Brightwalton, Farnborough and Peasmore with a short detour to see a CTC-winged wheel. A total distance of about 16 miles.
Riders: Carin Tranter David Jackson Des Higgs Eddie Little John Tranter Karl Blake Martyn Wigmore Nick Portsmouth Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Tim Parr Tony Botto Riders = 14 Weather: Report: Including 3 riders who cycled up Chain Hill to the start (Karl, Des & Steve), 14 riders (a record for this ride leader) set off from Leckhampstead Village Hall and headed South to visit a house owned by club members which has an old style CTC "Winged Wheel" sign attached (a similar one can be found in Wantage Market Square). After the team photo, we retraced our steps and headed towards RAF Welford, passing a few cyclists going the other way as we did so (these turned out to be participants in the MagnifiCat Sportive based at Newbury Racecourse). We then cycled on through Chaddleworth and Brightwalton. Between the two villages we came across some very large puffballs, one of which Martyn picked up for his evening meal. At Brightwalton, there was an option to cut the ride short and head off to the tea stop but all of the riders wanted to carry on, so we then headed down to Woolley with a magnificent view of Woolley House on the way (the memorial on the road between Wantage and Great Shefford is in memory of a former resident of this house). At this point the route became more undulating and we carried on through the village of Farnborough to our tea stop at Saddleworth Farm. Suitably refreshed, Des & Karl left the group to head home and the rest of us headed South to Lilley & Peasemore, at which point we came across more of the Sportive riders and the official photographer for the event (a shame he was expecting riders from the other direction!). After Peasemore, the ride was completed by crossing the Wantage/Newbury road again and arriving back at the village hall. Many thanks to Steve Swanton for the idea for the route and to Ed for sweeping.
Distance: 24.30 km (15.10 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/38807605
Isolated cottage near Boxford with a winged wheel.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30762177"
Comment on this ride

Written by : John Tranter

Posted on : August 20, 2019 at 9:37 AM

Thanks, Nick. A real season's highlight! We should definitely do this again next year.

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