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Sat Mar 22nd 2025

2* Saturday Half Day Ride to Lechlade	2*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: A slightly longer than usual 2* Saturday ride to Lechlade but at a steady 2* pace. This will be the first of several progressively longer 2* rides over the next couple of months to build towards the Tri-Vets Century (100-mile) Ride at the end of June. If you've never ridden a century before, why not give it a go? Or just join us for the fun of a longer ride. We'll be heading out via Fernham and using the new cycleway crossing of the A420 into Faringdon. The left to Great Coxwell to bypass Badbury Hill using the delightful off-road Puddleduck Lane to Coleshill. We'll descend to Buscot and continue to Lechlade for refreshments at Linwoods. We'll return via Little Faringdon, Langford and a delightful single-track lane to Clanfield, then up the hill from Thrupp to Litteworth and back via Hatford and Charney Bassett. 42-miles of relatively flat riding with only a few ups. We should be back in Grove around 2pm. Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph).
Riders: Anke Otto Barry Stanton Chris Gray David Jackson Lorna Swanton Nick Dunton Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Forecast showers for the afternoon didn't materialise and we enjoyed a dry ride, albeit under cloudy skies (with the occasional glimpse of sun) on a mild spring day. Lots of daffodils in gardens and verges, yellow celandines in the ditches, hints of green and blackthorn blossom in the hedges to enjoy en route. We made steady progress across the Vale to Fernham, climbed over the hill and down to the A420 to make use of the the new cycleway crossing. Much easier than it used to be either here or out of the back of Little Coxwell. We doubled-back to Great Coxwell to take the delightful Puddleduck lane track. A little stony in places but only one large puddle to negotiate. We stopped at the top of a gentle climb to admire the extensive views, and a few pics, before rejoining the road into Coleshill. Unfortunately, Barry picked up a puncture. But with inner tube quickly replaced and reinflated with gas, we were soon on our way again down the hill to Buscot. It was later claimed by Roger that I was leading at 24 km/hr along the A417 into Lechlade, which I find hard to believe riding on my middle ring! But perhaps I was a little faster on the main road.... Linwood's was busy, but as we were ordering the largest table became free and we were able to enjoy our coffees, pastries/sausage rolls/bacon sandwiches/etc sitting inside. Our ride resumed with a stretch of the A361 northwards, before we turned off into the quiet lanes through Little Faringdon to Langford and pretty Broadwell. Then right onto Clancroft lane (one of my favourites). The short climb and drop over the course of the old Lechlade branch line briefly broke up the flat riding. Then as we approached Clanfield, we caught the headwind from the SE. I was grateful to Roger, Anke and Nick taking turns on the front at various stages on the way back. After crossing the Thames at Radcot, the second major hill of the ride was the long grind up to Littleworth bringing us back into the Vale. After negotiation the A420, we took the quiet lane over to the Hideaway to Hatford; it was then an easy ride on familiar roads back into Grove. Thanks everyone for your good company on an easy ride to lead and thanks to Steph for sweeping.
Distance: 67.59 km (42.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49787685"
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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