Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

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Sun Apr 23rd 2023

Off Road Sunday Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. A short and easy off-road ride from Wantage. 15 miles loop from Wantage, with no great challenges and lots of tracks through the woods. Would suit mountain bikes and gravel bikes, knobbly tyres recommended. We are keen to welcome new riders of all abilities. Sometimes we ride in cold and/or wet - but please let us know if you are coming so we can tell you if we decide to cancel due to bad weather or other reasons.
Riders: David Jackson Lily Winston Robin Tucker Roger Postbeschild Sally Bensoussis Stephanie Haddrell Terry Penn Tim Waite Victoria Cartmel Riders = 9 Weather: Report: The first of our new season of off-road rides, and nine of us gathered under the statue of King Alfred on what I now realise what was St George's Day to ride off to meet our dragon! We checked our bikes, and made the sensible precaution of lowering air pressure in a few highly inflated tyres, for extra grip. Showers had passed overnight, and while it looked like no more would fall, the ground was going to be wet and slippy in places. We set off to the east, leaving Wantage by the cycle track. Soon we were climbing steadily alongside Goddards Brook. This is slow and steady work, but goes on and on, steepening at the end. Then a little descent, along the gallops and a final push up to the Ridgeway! From The Ridgeway we could see for miles on either side. We stopped to breathe it in (and catch our breath after the climb). Then rode on flat but high ground to see Scutchamer's Knob. From here we took a grassy, sometimes bumpy descent - but one that can be done at any speed - down to the corner of Harwell Campus, and followed the wire fence round to the woods, where we twisted through the trees. Ok, a few of us may have got stuck in a muddy puddle, but we were all grins! Eventually we came out the other side, on Sustrans/NCN 544, now known as the Icknield Greenway. Turning left, we followed this back to Wantage, enjoying the drop and climb over Ginge Brook. Well done to everyone for completing the course!
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)
Off-road 23Apr2023 halfway up to the Ridgeway Off-road 23Apr2023 on the Ridgeway Off-road 23Apr2023 along the Ridgeway Off-road 23Apr2023 coming down from the Ridgeway (mind the posts!)
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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