Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Jan 1st 2011

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 65km (40 miles) afternoon ride in the Vale, finishing off with a couple of hills - there will be no tea stop today because it's a Bank Holiday. Riding pace of 20-22km/h (13-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Lights required. A really good way to put that New Year resolve to the test!
Riders: Chris Walters Des Higgs Iain Kent John Tranter Richard Preece Robin Tucker Riders = 6 Report: Six of us set off in dull but clement weather. Richard noted he hadn't been on his bike since 6th November... No incidents on the way around, apart from Iain having a screw loose (and lost) from his light at Fyfield - eventually found hiding in a tuft of grass. At Fernham we decided to brave Fawler hill (I did offer the option of a flat cruise back through the Vale), but at the top of Fawler hill we decided to stick together as a group and drop back to the Vale for the return home. The rain started around Denchworth, which was quite refreshing for those with a short distance remaining to go (bad luck to Robin who still had to ride back to Steventon!). Special thanks to Des for encouraging Richard over the last few miles - the two months off made themselves felt at the end of the ride!
Distance: 63.40 km (39.39 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61406634
Proposed Route: http://tpks.ws/NCbx"
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Tue Jan 4th 2011

Turbo Session

Leader: Ginny Henderson	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: 17 The Causeway, East Hanney, OX12 0JN
Description: Group turbo trainer sessions to try to maintain those fitness levels. There are two club turbo trainers that club members can use for the session. You can expect the cycling time, including warm-up and cool-down, to last 60 minutes, and that you'll get a very good workout to keep your body ticking over during the winter period. Space is limited so please contact Ginny directly if you'd like to find out more about the sessions or to book a slot. See the blog for more information about the turbo training sessions.
Riders: Des Higgs Matthew Bawden Neil Warner Tessa Darley Tony Smith Riders = 5 Report:
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Tue Jan 11th 2011

Turbo Session

Leader: Ginny Henderson	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: 17 The Causeway, East Hanney, OX12 0JN
Description: Group turbo trainer sessions to try to maintain those fitness levels. There are two club turbo trainers that club members can use for the session. You can expect the cycling time, including warm-up and cool-down, to last 60 minutes, and that you'll get a very good workout to keep your body ticking over during the winter period. Space is limited so please contact Ginny directly if you'd like to find out more about the sessions or to book a slot. See the blog for more information about the turbo training sessions.
Riders: Des Higgs Maurice Bawden Neil Warner Tessa Darley Tony Smith Riders = 5 Report:
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Sun Jan 16th 2011

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Monthly 80-100km all-day touring ride, lunch stop en route, riding pace 18-22km/h (11-14mph). Wantage, Lambourn, Ramsbury, Great Bedwyn, Marlborough (LUNCH), Ogbourne, Chiseldon, Foxhill, Bishopstone and back along the Downs road to Wantage. This is a pretty hilly route, and lights are strongly advised.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Angela Sanders Ben Szulc Bryan Charleston Derek Boutle Des Higgs Janet Charleston Jon Seddon Nick Dunton Richard Preece Steve Sanders Steve Swanton Tessa Darley Riders = 13 Report: 13 riders including Ben S (Swindon ctc). Not a bad day - drizzle as we left the square but did not need rain coats all day. Hard going all the way to Lambourn - had to pedal as hard downhill due to strong headwind. At Lambourn John left to do his own thing but Ben joined us. When we arrived at Ramsbury, Derek B discoverd his front tyre was coming off the rim - soon remedied. At this point Angela and Steve, Janet and Brian decided to make their way home. Seven carried on up Spring Hill (still as hard as ever) to Chisbury over Bedwyn Common and finaly Marlborough and a welcome lunch stop. A very pleasant and uneventfull run home with a strong tailwind along the downs road with Ben heading back to Swindon at White Horse Hill. A very testing ride which everyone handled well. It was a pleasure to lead such great group of cyclists to meet old and new acquaintances.
Distance: 82.00 km (50.95 mi)
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Written by : Steve Swanton

Posted on : January 23, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Very enjoyable ride, Des, and well led. It was an ambitious (hilly!) route for the time of year, but despite various qualms about fitness levels from several of us, you coaxed us round. I got home v. tired but happy. This to me was club cycling at its best. It was a lovely route too and it would be great to repeat during the Summer months when we could also cycle through Savernake Forest.

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 45-55km (30 - 40 miles) afternoon ride, with a tea stop, at a riding pace of ~18km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Time to prise the shed door open and brush the Christmas cobwebs from the bike, as we head off (at a leisurely pace !) on our first 2* ride of the year. A few short hills before tea, followed by a gentler return home. Outward- Old Mill Hall, Wantage, Letcombe Regis and Bassett, Childrey, Sparsholt, Westcot, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Fernham, Great Coxwell Tythe Barn, or a less hilly option? (we can choose on the day !), Faringdon for tea. Return- Fernham, Baulking, Goosey, Denchworth, Old Mill Hall. Important- Please check your lights and batteries for the final few miles. Approx 33 miles (53 km)
Riders: Brian Hipwell David Bridge Des Higgs Glen Savegar Guy Yeates John Talbot John Tranter Maurice Bawden Neil Warner Richard Divall Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Tessa Darley Riders = 13 Report: Hmm...wasn't certain how to pitch this ride. It is only January after all, and probably best to start things gently? Actually there were a couple of short but steep climbs on the outward leg, so a slight contradiction in that last sentence I think.... Anyway... A fun 30 or so miles. Chilly but with sufficient winter sunlight to illuminate the Vale nicely. We even managed an encouraging cheer from a group of ramblers gathered at Letcombe cress beds, who probably assumed we were on some epic journey to far flung places. Well...Faringdon actually.... Following the crossing of an unusually quiet A420, Steve S and Brian tackled the hilly option taking in the Great Coxwell Tythe Barn, whilst the remainder of us followed the less hilly route for tea at the Faringdon coffee house (excellent as usual), with Maurice, Tessa, and Brian opting to skip tea and push onwards. A slightly depleted group (in numbers, not spirit !) following John and Richards departure post tea, headed home in the now fading light, assisted by a northerly breeze to arrive at Old Mill Hall for a little before 5 oclock. A very pleasant afternoon on the bike ! Thanks everyone ! Glen S
Distance: 49.25 km (30.60 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64589188
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Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: The Plough Inn, West Hanney.
Description: CTC Wantage Christmas Meal- As ever, either one month late or 11 months early! The Plough Inn is situated in the village of West Hanney, two miles north of Wantage. It has only been a pub for 180 years, although the thatched building dates back to around 1525 ! A friendly and informal village inn atmosphere with roaring log fires in winter. The Plough is now in The Good Pub Guide, and The Good Beer Guide for 2011 ! Meal reservations now closed. See you on the 22nd January
Riders: Brian Hipwell David Bridge David Smith Derek Boutle Des Higgs Edith Hipwell Glen Savegar Lorna Swanton Neil Warner Richard Divall Sara Smith Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 14 Report: A really nice evening with excellent company ! 14 of us enjoyed a lovely menu with choices ranging from veggie crumbles, sea bream, venison, to traditional turkey with all the trimmings. Damson crumble, creme brulee and Christmas pudding were among the sweet choices. All served swiftly and with very little waiting. Seated at one end of the dining room in a cosy inward facing layout, made for a nicely sociable evening ! Well that's Christmas over until... errr...next year? Thanks everyone, Glen S
Proposed Route: http://www.plough-westhanney.co.uk/contact.htm"
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