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Sat Feb 17th 2024

1* Saturday Half Day Ride - Snowdrop Special	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Update 16/02 - as the Letcombe road is still closed due to groundwater flooding, we shall detour via East Challow on our way to Letcombe Regis. Updated route below. A special easy-paced ride to visit the best of our local snowdrops in the churchyards at the Letcombes, Childrey and Sparsholt. These displays just seem to be getting better every year and we will stop to explore and enjoy them. NOTE the 10 am start for this one. We'll have a refreshment stop at Cantorist Farm in Childrey along the way. Please let me know by text if you are planning to come. Monthly 16-32km (10-20 miles) family and social rides, usually with a refreshment stop, at a riding pace of 12-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs.
Riders: Anke Otto Carin Tranter Diana Whidborne John Tranter Lorna Swanton Nick Portsmouth Patrick O'Leary Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: It was lovely to meet under blue skies and warm sunshine on another unseasonably mild February morning. Sadly, the sunshine didn't last beyond Grove, dark clouds rolled in and there was soon a dampness in the air, which lasted on and off for most of the ride. We made a brief detour in Grove to view the daffodils emerging by Vale Avenue then made our way to East Challow through Stockham where Anke joined us. It was a nice surprise to see drifts of snowdrops in the verge of Windmill Hill as we descended into Letcombe Regis, these drifts continued throughout the village. We arrived at the church at the same time as Anne Williams, who has been responsible for planting the snowdrops around the village for the last 20 years. A nice encounter. The snowdrops have been early this year and were starting to go over in the churchyard. Nevertheless, anemones, cyclamen, crocus, primrose and some early daffodils were extending the floral display. Then it was on to Letcombe Bassett where the less sheltered snowdrops were at their peak. We decided to stop at Cantorist before visiting Childrey churchyard. The cafe was busy and we were fortunate to get a table inside. The cakes, sausage rolls, paninis and eggs were excellent. As at Letcombe Regis, the snowdrops at Childrey were starting to go over, but it was noticeable how the drifts here seem to have grown in recent years. Then it was on to Sparsholt with possibly the best displays of the day adorning the verges just to the east of the village. And so we finally made our way back to Grove, via Challow station, Goosey and Denchworth for one final floral viewing of the daffodils by Sycamore walk. These newer planting should come into bloom in the coming weeks. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride, easy to lead with a super group. Thanks everyone for your good company.
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45610794
Snowdrops at Letcombe Regis - 17-Feb-24 Crocuses at Letcombe Regis - 17-Feb-24 Viewing snowdrops at Letcombe Regis - 17-Feb-24 Drift of snowdrops, Letcombe Bassett - 17-Feb-24 Riders at Letcombe Bassett church - 17-Feb-24 Early Daffodils among the snowdrops at Childrey 17-Feb-24 Snowdrops in the verge nr Sparsholt 17-Feb-24 Bank of snowdrops nr Sparsholt 17-Feb-24 Riders among the snowdrops, Sparsholt- 17-Feb-24 Snowdrops at Sparsholt - 17-Feb24 Enjoying the snowdrops at Sparsholt 17-Feb-24
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45610794"
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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