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Sat Sep 27th 2003

A Bit of Rough

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: Off Road Ride - the last of the year. Planning to head eastwards along the Ridgeway to Aston Tirrold. Helmets required. Bring something to eat and drink.
Riders: Benoit Lalande Mike ODonnell Mike Stead Nick Stokell Richard Jenkinson Robin Tucker Steve Swanton Riders = 7 Report: The last "official" off-road ride of the season saw 7 riders, including newcomer Robin, heading eastwards on a mild and occasionally sunny afternoon. Despite some recent rain the conditions underwheel remained very dry and fast. Leaving Wantage via Post Office Lane and Trinder Road brought cries of "I haven't been this way before!" from behind. We climbed Larkhill before turning onto the gallops to complete the climb to the newly resurfaced Ridgeway. For most of the ride to Bury Down and the W. Ilsley Road, one (and in some cases) two of the rutted tracks have been flattened out to give a much smoother ride. The surface is a mixture of chalk and flint, so it will be interesting to see how it fares in the wet. The group was favourably impressed. There remain many adjoining ruts and ridges for those looking for a more technical ride. With a tail wind, the ride along the Ridgeway was delightful and mainly downhill. Above Blewbury we turned off left onto the Fair Mile. The descent of the potholed track down to the A417 was excellent. We crossed the road heading towards Cholsey and shortly turned off left to join the track to Aston Tirrold. This climbed sharply on broken tarmac and then descended past a secluded farm complete with duck pond and raised barn. After a brief on-road tour of the twin villages, we turned left by Aston Upthorpe church onto the bridleway past Blewburton hill with its hill fort to Blewbury. The A417 to Upton was our longest on-road stretch. From Upton we climbed up the track to Chilton and then headed to the Garden Centre for a well-deserved tea. The enormous slices of carrot cake merit special mention. We returned to Wantage along the Icknield getting back just before 5. Steve S.
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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