Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Aug 2nd 2008 to Sat Aug 9th 2008

CTC Birthday Rides 2008

Leader:	Start Time: TBC	Start Location:
Description: A week of cycling around the northern Cotswolds. Based at Fire Services College, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire. B&B and camping will be available on site. Further details in 2008.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Edith Hipwell Eve Thornton Riders = 3 Report: Brian and myself and Eve cycled to Morton in the Marsh leaving home in the Rain. However when we reached the Coltsworld hills the sun started to shine we had a very pleasant journey for the rest of the ride using Kevin Hickmans route stopping for lunch at Kingham. The weather was a mixed bag but we managed some lovely rides in mostly dry weather. The Birthday tea was a wet affair however it did not dampen the spirits. The house and Gardens where it was held were lovely. The routes were mostly hilly and it was amazing how some cyclists made the top. Our return journey was the opposite of the journey there we left in sunshine and arrived hoe very wet. However we enjoyed the weeks cycling. Brian and Edith
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Sat Aug 2nd 2008

Moderate Saturday ride

Leader: Angela Sanders	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Regular Saturday afternoon ride of 60-70km leaving from Grove to Bishopstone via a tea stop in Aldbourne. A ride out that will give you a chance to get a good run on the flat and challenge yourself with some hills. Riding from Grove through the back lanes to Uffington then across to Shrivenham, Bishopstone and then a bit of a hill up to Aldbourne where we will be nicely warmed up, so a stop here for refreshments before the home return through Lambourn, over Seven Barrows with a rewarding descent past the Blowing Stone and back through the lanes to Grove. The route is here: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=14362.
Riders: Angela Sanders Chris Lea Henk Altmann (deceased) Maurice Bawden Mike Evans Sorrel Williams Stephen Quartermain Steve Sanders Riders = 8 Report: Angela S led this ride and Steve S did the sweeping. The sweeping became unnecessary when it became apparent that the eight of us out for the ride were all riding as a group at much the same pace. What was needed after the first 30 minutes was someone else to take a turn at the front as there was a bit of a headwind and Sorrel obliged and then Chris and soon pretty much everyone was taking a turn at the front. The weather was brilliant and made for a perfect Saturday afternoon ride. The pub stop at The Blue Boar on the green at Aldbourne was welcomed after riding for about 1hr 50 minutes at a moderate pace. The return from Lambourn to Grove up Seven Barrows was perfect with a tail wind and the golden corn and the sun making you realise this is what cycling is all about. All arrived back at Grove before 5pm very happy to have cycled 44 miles
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Tue Aug 5th 2008

Tuesday Evening Rides

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: We will aim to have two rides leaders for leisurely and sporty options. Lights are recommended until mid-May. There will be a "Fast and Furious" ride this evening - please only consider joining in if you are comfortable riding at 25km/h in a group - route is http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=6038 There will still be the leisurely ride running this evening.
Riders: Chris Walters Colin Appleton Sorrel Williams Riders = 3 Report: Only three hardy perennials decided to brave the elements for what turned out to be a quite pleasant evening of riding. Heading through Denchworth, Goosey and Baulking and the to Uffington and up Fawler Hill. We then cruised down the other side of the hill, back through Baulking, Park Lane and hoem to Denchworth. 18 miles in total and it stopped raining half way round and the sun even threatened to come through the clouds at one point! Ride route here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/526789.
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Sat Aug 9th 2008

Off-road ride from Faringdon

Leader: Geoff Neill	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: Badbury Hill NT car park
Description: Starting from National Trust car park at Badbury Hill (B4019 from Faringdon) an easy ride of around 30km following some of the many tracks around Faringdon. Please let me know if you are interested.
Riders: Riders = 0 Report: Sadly lack of interest (apart from 1 enquiry at 12 midday today)and the weather put paid to this event.
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Sun Aug 10th 2008

Sunday morning Ride

Leader: Bryan Charleston	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Sunday morning ride of around 60-70km with a pub stop for lunch at the end of the ride.
Riders: Bryan Charleston James Charleston Janet Charleston Maurice Bawden Nick Dunton Riders = 5 Report: Five started the ride this morning, Bryan C, Janet C, James C (first time out with the club), Maurice B and Nick D. There were sunny spells and cloud throughout the ride but it stayed dry, however, there was a strong breeze from the South West. This made the flat ride out to Cholsey fairly easy, but from then the route became hillier and we were riding into the wind. Sensibly, Janet decided to head for home at this point. The remaining four pushed on, climbing to the top of Streetly hill, by the back route, and descending into Compton. More hills and head wind took us to the top of chain hill and home. A good pace: approx 65km in 3 hours. Thanks to 17 year old James for leading the three (considerably) older members of the group straight into the wind from Cholsey to Streetly.
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Tue Aug 12th 2008

Tuesday Evening Rides

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: We will aim to have two rides leaders for leisurely and sporty options.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Angela Sanders Brian Hipwell Bryan Charleston Colin Appleton Derek Boutle Des Higgs Edith Hipwell Eroyl Thomas Henk Altmann (deceased) Jon Seddon Peter Busby Riders = 12 Report: 13 Rider turned out for wet ride around the vale. We sheltered in the porch of the old mill hall for a few minutes and decided it was time to go. As we left Grove heading for Denchworth we had a lovely view off a double Rainbow. However I had my own rainbows on my eye lashes were raindrops had gathered. the rain then stopped and we had a fairly fast ride round the vale at 14.9 miles an hour. I got cramp in my right leg as we approached Southmoor so Amanda lead us back home. So where were all the moderate cyclists hiding from the rain? Edith
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Sat Aug 16th 2008

A tour around the South East Cotswolds - long morning ride

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Cerney Wick Visitor Centre car park - SU 072 097
Description: South Cerney - Kemble - Tetbury - Westonbirt - Malmesbury - Ashton Keynes - South Cerney. 69km of gentle (for the Cotswolds) terrain, meet at the visitor centre http://www.ukattraction.com/heart-of-england/cotswold-gateway-visitors-centre.htm, where a meal can be had at the end of the ride. Planning on getting elevenses somewhere on the way round, but nothing specifically organised. The ride will be at a moderate rather than leisurely pace (but not fast!). Full route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=11905. You must let me know if you plan to come along - if no-one calls me, the ride won't happen!
Riders: Angela Sanders Bryan Charleston Chris Walters Geoff Neill Henk Altmann (deceased) Steve Sanders Riders = 6 Report: Well, with the weather forecast oscillating between dire and not-so-dire, we did very well! A small group of 6 set out in the dry on the allotted route, routefinding was generally pretty good, with the only lapses when riders who weren't monitoring the route took the lead (they'll learn!). With the impending weather, we decided not to stop for any longer than a loo break in Malmesbury, but to no avail, as the drizzle started just as we left Malmesbury. It was a very refreshing drizzle though, and we were soon out of it, crossing the quaint level crossing at Minety, and running the gauntlet of the closed road near Ashton Keynes (with another quick episode of riders missing a turn by going off the front!) We were greeted by a squadron of Minis back at the finish, so dived into the cafe before they could say "cup of tea and a slice of cake", and had a bite of lunch while catching up on the superb British medal haul in the velodrome - a great morning ride! Don't forget the follow-up ride on September 20th... you'll be most welcome!
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Sun Aug 17th 2008

Regular Wantage Ride

Leader: Neil Warner	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Across the Vale to Clanfield, Langford, Southrop, Quenington. AL1 FAIRFORD for lunch. Then on to Poulton, Down Ampney, Castle Eaton, Highworth, Shrivenham, Longcot and home. *****Lunch venue change now Fairford as Catherine Wheel on Hols!
Riders: Barry Eastwood Derek Boutle Des Higgs Neil Warner Robert Shaw Steven Rogers Riders = 6 Report: Well how lucky was that! The forecast said rain and heavy showers all day we had two two minute flurries of rain before lunch and that was it. Chugging out into the wind was a good plan in the end as Barry had a bit of a bum day and was struggling on hills. Lunch in Fairford was fine and we were joined by Richard D. Richard it's the two wheeled thing gathering dust in the garage. Des left at lunch as he had a prior engagement in the early evening. With the wind at our backs the return leg was a bit more pleasurable with some warm sunshine on our backs as well. The good ladies of Uffington swung into view remarkably quickly with our wind aided progression and Des could have stayed with us and still been home in time. The usual excellent spread by the WI. Derek and Stephen left us at tea and the three of us wound through Westcot and Sparsholt back to Wantage.
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Tue Aug 19th 2008

Tuesday Evening Rides

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: We will aim to have two rides leaders for leisurely and sporty options.
Riders: Andrew Robertson Angela Sanders Brian Hipwell Chris Walters Colin Appleton David Bridge Des Higgs Edith Hipwell Eroyl Thomas Henk Altmann (deceased) Riders = 10 Report: Guess what - it rained! But fortunately, it mainly rained before and after the ride, so we were able to fit in 32km of ride in relative dryness - going out through Charney Bassett and Hatford and back through Fernham and Goosey. David broke his own record for being late for the ride, joining us near the railway bridge between Grove and Denchworth! We maintained a pleasant pace right through the ride, with a little wind assist on the way back - I don't know what Brian's been feeding Edith, but I suspect a little banned substance, judging by the pace she set Ride stats for tonight can be found here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/597917.
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Sat Aug 23rd 2008

Easy-Rider Saturday Ride

Leader: Henk Altmann (deceased)	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Leisurely-paced saturday ride of 55km with tea stop leaving from Grove. The route of the ride (averaging 11 to 12 mph) will be as follows: Grove, Wantage, East challow, Sparsholt, Westcot, Compton Beauchamp, Shrivenham, Highworth (for tea stop), Coleshill, Great Coxwell, Little Coxwell, Fernham, Shellingford, Hatford, Gainfield, Charney Basett, Denchworth, Gtrove.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Chris Walters Edith Hipwell Geoff Neill Henk Altmann (deceased) Steve Boreham Riders = 6 Report: The route we took is here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/626388. A wet Bank Holiday Weekend probably kept down the number of riders. Nevertheless we enjoyed a puncture free ride past the White Horse Show at Uffington, along part of the Fast and Furious route as used on some Tuesday rides and saw a very busy Village Fete at Shrivenham. Tea at Brooks in Highworth came up to expectations and prepared us for the remaining hills up to Highworth and Great Coxwell. At the end of the cruise back to Grove we had averaged about 12 mph, as advertised on the box. Henk
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Tue Aug 26th 2008

Tuesday Evening Rides

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: We will aim to have two rides leaders for leisurely and sporty options.
Riders: Angela Sanders Brian Hipwell Bryan Charleston Chris Lea Chris Walters Colin Appleton Des Higgs Edith Hipwell Eroyl Thomas Frank Schroer Geoff Neill Henk Altmann (deceased) Jo Bindloss-Gibb Richard Divall Sorrel Williams Steve Swanton Riders = 16 Report: The moderate ride went on a hilly little excursion, variously called (among other things) the Grove Grimpeur, the Grove Gear Grinder, and Silly Hilly. Nine left Grove, with Chris L not making it very far due to injury, breaking off early back home to Challow. The rest took in the early hill to Sparsholt, and then ascended the much more substantial hill (variously called Sincombe Hill and Seven Acre Hill) to Sparsholt Firs, and then the fantastic plummet down Hackpen Hill into the Letcombes. Bryan's chain decided to break in protest at the bottome of Court Hill, with Des generously offering Bryan his bike so that he could "do" the hill. To both of their dismay, a powerlink was produced that enabled (made) both of them climb up the hill There was only the plummet down Manor Hill left, save for a quick sprint through Grove, and the ride was over. At the start I reckoned we'd do well to do it under 90 minutes - we did with a few minutes to spare, so I reckon we did do well! Sorrel definitely earned "Queen of the Mountains" this evening, showing the rest a clean pair of heels up all the hills, despite complaints last week that she "can't do hills any more" - absolute piffle! The ride route and stats are here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/656076 Chris W
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Sat Aug 30th 2008

Beginners Off-Road

Leader: Sorrel Williams	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Always fancied cycling off-road but never given it a go? This ride will be a short 'potter' along the bridleways and tracks of Denchworth, The Hanneys and Grove to give you a taste of off-road cycling.
Riders: Alex Walters Brian Hipwell Chris Lea Chris Walters David Bridge Dean Douglas Edith Hipwell Ginny Henderson Henry Ackrill Neil Warner Sorrel Williams Riders = 11 Report: What fantastic weather to enjoy a bit of off road adventuring! The mud and puddles that were on the route on Wednesday had dried up to sufficient standard so that they could be cycled through but still provide enough evidence of some off piste action. We left Grove and headed towards Charlton village, turning left just after the school and Church. At the end of the housing estate is a great piece of bridleway single track that goes up and over Crab Hill and brings you out on the A338 in Grove. Everyone managed really well with the singletrack and negotiated the mud and puddles to personal preference (those that wanted to get muddy did, and those that didn't...didn't!) We then cycled through Grove towards Denchworth and turned up the Byway just before the cemetery (known locally as the 'sewage path' for reasons that come apparent when the wind is in the wrong direction). Although the route was flat, there are some obstacles to be negotiated in the way of bricks, rocks and mud. Not your average smooth track, but still exciting. At the end of the path we turned left and followed the very rocky track to the back of West Hanney and then through to Denchworth, popping out onto the road just before the bridge. The tarmac then took us back through to Grove. Instead of a tea stop, someone mentioned ice-creams, so we congregated in Millbrook Square tucking into ice-creams from the supermarket - beats tea and cake on a hot day, hands down. For a beginners ride, everyone did very well, including Alex and Henry who are less than a quarter of the age of the ride leader! All in all, a fantastic 90 minutes in the sunshine, on our bikes and primarily traffic free.
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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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