Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Feb 1st 2003

Regular Saturday Ride from Grove

Leader: Laurent Chambard	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: GMS
Description: Lights recommended
Riders: Alan Jones (dec) Amanda Seddon Derek Boutle Des Higgs Diane Stuckey Edith Hipwell Eve Thornton Gary Woodhead Glen Paterson (deceased) Jan McCabe Jon Seddon Kevin Fairs Laurent Chambard Neil Warner Rex Belcher Richard Divall Richard Page Robert Wyatt Roger Payn Stephen Quartermain Steve Swanton Teresa Belcher Riders = 22 Report: I was quite pleased with seeing the by now usual large crowd of riders who turned up for what was my farewell ride with the Section. We gently moved on through the lanes of the Vale, this large bunch of cyclists imposing to a certain extend their own pace to the rest of the traffic. We did not go far before the first puncture struck. Jan had already suffered from two other punctures on our last ride, so she couldn't possibly lose the lead in the Flat Tubes Championship and had to do something about it. Some of us waited for her to be able to ride again, but most of the group just kept going! It looks like time to remind our members the golden CTC rule that nobody is ever left behind... Mind you, with the leader staying with Jan other riders came rather quickly to a halt, at the first crossing in fact. We then caught up everybody (I think!) and proceeded further to Uffington, where Richard had to stop for identifying why he couldn't change gears. It quickly appeared that his peculiar sort of gear change would need the kind of treatment which can not easily be implemented by the roadside; so Richard preferred to leave us there and come back home, even though I kept telling him that this being a flat ride he could do it on his current gearing. The rest of the ride to Faringdon was relatively uneventful, if you ignore of course this dark cloud full of hail which just opened over our heads as we climbed towards Little Coxley. This was just what we needed for opening the appetite (not sure everyone agreed...), so tea and cakes at the Portwell Hotel were properly swallowed, and refills generously offered by the landlord prompty disappeared as well. With about an hour to go before sunset we climbed again on our bikes and headed towards Littleworth. What a great idea I had to go through this lane at that very moment... A tractor was just ahead of us, cutting hedges. This rapidly translated into... three punctures in about 300 yards (Steve S., Jan again, and yours truly). By the time we had all reached the A420 night was about there, so sensibly smaller groups of riders decided to make their way back on their own without waiting the last victims of punctures. The rearguard then decided that we had been hanging around for long enough, and the pace was raised on the way back to Grove. As if Jan did not have had enough of troubles, she rode through an enormous pothole shortly before Grove, and badly bruised her hand! The hand was still very dark blue some days after, even though Jan pretended pain had gone for a long time (we all know you are a toughie Jan, no need to try convincing us of it!).
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Sun Feb 9th 2003

DA Mulled Wine Picnic & Quiz

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: GMS
Description: First DA Event of CTC's 125th Birthday Year. Ride from Grove (Steve leading) or meet us at Standlake Village Hall from 12-4pm. Bring a picnic and something to share. Then get your thinking caps on for our 125th Birthday Quiz. Mulled wine, teas & coffees provided.
Riders: Alan Jones (dec) Brian Hipwell Diane Stuckey Edith Hipwell Jane Bruffell Laurent Chambard Martin Cresdee Nigel Stuckey Norman Trevatt Richard Divall Steve Bruffell Steve Swanton Sue King Riders = 13 Report: There were 6 riders from Grove on an overcast morning, the early rain having passed (Alan, unfortunately went to the Market Place). We headed directly to Buckland, warming up quickly as we worked against the headwind. After Tadpole Bridge, we turned right along the (no longer flooded) Great Brook and at Aston were joined by Martin Cresdee on his recumbent. We continued north then turned right towards Yelford and Hardwick and it was a great relief to finally have the benefit of the tailwind. Nice too to ride this route in a clockwise direction (as we often head this way to Aston Pottery on a Saturday afternoon). Our route spiraled in towards Standlake via Stanton Harcourt and Northmoor; we arrived just as the mulled wine was being served, thanks to Laurent & Co. More riders gradually arrived to reach an attendance of 35. Good to see Vera back on her bike and Norman who arrived later. After our picnic lunch, yours truly kicked off the quiz, with a round on the CTC. Edith followed with a round on the Highway Code (some of us didn't do that well) and finally Ellen tested our knowledge of local touring trivia. Between the rounds, the teams pored over a map to identify CTC DAs. James's team won and scooped the prizes. Thanks also to Mavis for supplying us with a
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Thu Feb 13th 2003

Section Pub Night

Leader: Steve Bruffell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: GMS
Description: Ride with us to The Fox at Denchworth or join us at the pub at 20:00 for a meal and good company. Lights required.
Riders: Derek Boutle Des Higgs Diane Stuckey Gary Woodhead Hilary OShea Jane Bruffell Judi Boutle Kevin Fairs Nick Box Nigel Stuckey Rex Belcher Richard Divall Steve Swanton Teresa Belcher Riders = 14 Report:
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Sun Feb 16th 2003

Regular Wantage Ride

Leader: Amanda Seddon	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Includes lunchtime pub stop. Lights recommended.
Riders: Alan Jones (dec) Amanda Seddon Edith Hipwell Jane Bruffell Jon Seddon Kevin Fairs Richard Divall Roger Payn Stephen Quartermain Steve Bruffell Riders = 10 Report: A pleasant ride to Great Bedwyn taking in Blowing Stone Hill and Spring Hill on the way. Luckily an excellent lunch was the reward for all the climbing. A gentle return had the highlight of riding through Welford and seeing all the snowdrops in bloom. The finish saw us taking in the climb up to the Ridgeway to Manor Road, with Jon fixing a puncture in what must surely be record time.
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Sun Feb 23rd 2003

Blowing stone 100, The dry run...

Leader:	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location:
Description:
Riders: Jan McCabe Kevin Fairs Steve Bruffell Riders = 3 Report: The route has been ridden, all the signs have been noted..........
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Ride Filter

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

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