Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

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Tue May 6th 2025

Tuesday Evening 1* Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Old Mill Hall
Description: 6May- Late change of ride leader due to illness. Please let Steve S rather than Steve B know if you are planning to come. The Challows and Childrey. We'll head out through Denchworth, stopping to admire the panoramic views fom the Circourt Rd railway bridge. After a short stretch of the A417, we'll turn into West Challow then climb gently on a metalled bridleway to Childrey. We'll continue to East Challow on the resurfaced bridleway and return to Grove along the canal towpath (10 miles). Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Our leisurely and sociable Tuesday evening 1* rides are designed specifically with adult newcomers to cycling and youngsters in mind, or those who just want some relaxed and sociable exercise. We cover a distance of 10-15 miles (16-24km) at a gentle pace of 8-10 mph (13-16kph), following quiet country lanes and the occasional easy off-road track. We stop regularly to catch our breath, to take in the views and anything that takes our interest along the way.
Riders: John Stamp Michael Tayler Steve Swanton Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Another sunny evening albeit rather cooler than last week. A select group for this week's 1* outing but nonetheless an enjoyable ride with a smaller group allowing some impromptu off-road exploration towards the end. Circourt Road from Denchworth to the A417 is in the process of being re-chipped but was open and we were all happy to continue despite the loose chippings. We stopped to admire the view from the top of the Circourt railway bridge before continuing on to the A417. The main road was relatively quiet and we were soon turning off into West Challow. As we ascended the bridleway to Childrey, we could see a group of walkers ahead. This turned out to be the 1st King Alfred's Cub Scouts on an evening ramble. There were too many of them to pass, so we asked them to continue ahead and just followed slowly behind (good test of our balance control) before we could turn off towards Cantorist Farm at the top. We made our way to the church (new to Michael) and gave ourselves a rest by the viewpoint while enjoying a natter. By the time we continued, the path to East Challow was clear... Both Michael and John were up for a little exploration, so rather than returning along the canal as planned, we turned into Woodhill Lane and continued as far as the old airfield perimeter path. After a short stretch of baked mud, we joined the concrete path, which passes below the line of mature trees at the top of a low rise that now mark the end of the former runway. We regained more familiar ground by the canal junction with the track past Crown and returned to Grove via Downsview Road. Good fun!
Distance: 17.38 km (10.80 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50647481
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42176733"
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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