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Past Ride

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Sun Jun 23rd 2024

Off Road Sunday Ride Ridgeway Explorer	2*

Leader: Eddie Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Court Hill Centre, Wantage.
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Off-road half day ride around local tracks, usually 15-30 miles. Knobbly tyres required. We are keen to welcome new riders of all abilities. For this ride I thought it would be nice to start from the Court Hill Centre. We’ve kindly been given permission to use the car park.This will give riders a chance to ride a section of the Ridgeway without having to make one of the big climbs out of the Letcombe area onto the Ridgeway which can be quite daunting.The plan is to ride from Court Hill along the section of the Ridgeway out as far as Ashbury Hill 9 miles & then return to Court Hill in the opposite direction. This is a lovely section of the Ridgeway giving spectacular views across the Thames Valley in both directions. We’ll make two brief stops along the way, White Horse Hill & Wayland’s Smithy. Depending on how riders are feeling, there is the option to drop down into Ashbury for a tea stop at the Baking Bee shop & cafe. This will add an extra1.07mile to the overall ride distance not included below, plus a short climb afterwards along the bridleway to rejoin the Ridgeway. We will also have the option of a tea stop at the end of the ride at the Court Hill Centre. Ride distance 18 miles/28km. Route checked & trail conditions are very dry. Route suitable for gravel bikes too.
Riders: Eddie Little Robin Tucker Roger Postbeschild Riders = 3 Weather: Report: We set off from the Court Hill Centre & headed along the Ridgeway towards White Horse Hill & Ashbury which would be our tea stop & furthest destination before returning to Court Hill. The Ridgeway was nice & quiet which made for an enjoyable ride. Robin kindly showed us the bridleway over White Horse Hill which was new to me. On arrival at Ashbury we stopped at the Baking Bee Cafe for morning coffee. We were also joined by Steve who was out route checking. We all enjoyed some very fine coffee & tray bakes, along with excellent service. We returned along the Ridgeway to Court Hill passing a couple of horse riders along with a few dog walkers, still a reasonably quiet ride back which is always good. On arrival at Court Hill we decided to stop for lunch. One coffee, one pot of tea, one coke, two fish finger sandwiches & a bacon & sausage sandwich was consumed by three hungry riders. Also one slice of bread pudding which I took home. Always a pleasure to ride with Robin & Roger!!
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
Fantastic views across Knighton Coombes. White Horse Hill June 2024. Morning coffee @ The Baking Bee Cafe Ashbury.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47212696"
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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