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Sat Sep 1st 2012

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Nick Dunton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Heading north for an arc round Witney and dipping into Windrush and Evenload valleys. A mix of small country lanes and some larger roads where we can stretch our legs. A few hills as we flirt with the fringes of the Cotswolds – plus the climb from Tadpole Bridge to Buckland – but nothing serious. Small section of bridle path. Tea stop at Bampton/Aston. 80km. Back c. 5.30 Route: Grove, Denchworth, West Hanney, Southmoor, Appleton, Cumnor, Farmoor, Swinford Bridge, Enysham, Cuckoo Lane, East End, Ashford Bridge, Wilcote, Delly End, Hailey, Priest Hill Lane, Crawley, Brize Norton, Bampton, Aston, Great Brook Lane, Tadpole Bridge, Buckland, Charney Bassett, Denchworth, Grove. Nick 01235-848580/07774-838310
Riders: Adrian West Chris Walters David Yearley John Talbot Louis Hall Mila Yearley Nick Dunton Phil Stubbings Richard Pethybridge Riders = 9 Report: Good run. Warm and sunny most of the way with a stiffish south-westerly. We maintained a good pace throughout. Louis has a visit from the puncture fairy about half-way round. The café in Bampton was closed so we pushed on to Aston Pottery and had an excellent tea sitting outside in the sunshine. The usual “Denchworth Dash” sprint to finish but I was too far back to see who won! Back at 5.30 on the dot.
Distance: 80.00 km (49.71 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/892726
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Tue Sep 4th 2012

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: John Talbot	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Last Tuesday of the season Simple 35km route taken at regular 3* pace (18-22km/h [11-14mph]) via Childrey, Sparsholt, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Shellingford, Charney Bassett and Denchworth. Includes optional pub stop at The Fox in Denchworth on the way back to celebrate another successful season of Tuesday evening rides. Lights will be required.
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon Andy Cowan Dan Cox Des Higgs Frank Schroer Geoff Covey John Talbot Louis Hall Nick Dunton Paul Jarvis Phil Stubbings Richard Delacour Richard Preece Simon Cox Riders = 15 Report: Great to see so many riders out for the final regular Tuesday of the season. We counted 41 across the rides and 15 on this one. Des stopped to help an ailing 2* rider in Wantage and they made their own way to the pub. The rest of us tackled the rolling terrain to Uffington and then had a lovely run through the Vale to Denchworth and refreshments. We averaged a respectable and sociable 25.6kph (15.9 mph) on the ride. We had a great social gathering in the pub and then a group ride back to Grove in the dark - a taster of things to come maybe Thanks to everyone for their support this summer. Watch the website and programme for the autumn/winter schedule coming very soon!
Distance: 36.80 km (22.87 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/898076
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1643907"
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Tue Sep 4th 2012

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: End of season ride going out through the Letcombes, down into Childrey and back to Denchworth via Goosey - 25km including the ride back to Grove. Includes social stop at the Fox, Denchworth to mourn the passing of the Tuesday evening season - I expect to get there around 19:45. Lights required to ride back to Grove.
Riders: Andy Belcher Andy Pixton Brian Hipwell Chris Walters Katherine Boyce Matthew Quartermain Michael Tayler Mila Yearley Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Stephen Quartermain Steve Joyce Susan Holdroyd Riders = 13 Report: A loverly evening for a ride! We lost Andy Belcher to a chain-related mechanical, and left him to be led astray by Des (funny how they made it to the pub before us...) as we enjoyed the downhill pretty much from the top of Holcombe Hill, right down to the A417. Large numbers of red-jerseyed cyclists descended onto the Fox for a very chilled and lengthy social - well done everyone in the 2* groups this summer for the progress you've made!
Distance: 24.00 km (14.91 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/900634
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1662754"
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Tue Sep 4th 2012

10 Mile Club 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Boreham	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A gentle ride around nearby villages - all welcome! Includes social stop at the Fox, Denchworth at the end of the ride. These rides are designed to be a leisurely and sociable introduction to group riding and to build rider confidence. As the name suggests, we aim to cover about 10 miles at a speed of about 10 miles per hour, stopping to rest and look at interesting things on the way. Accompanied children and newcomers very welcome. This will be last evening 10-mile club ride of the season, however, please look out for more regular 1* rides at weekends over the Autumn and Winter.
Riders: Edith Hipwell James Thorne Lorna Swanton Sara Smith Steve Boreham Steve Burr Steve Swanton Val Smith Riders = 8 Report: What a good way to finish!, as the Tuesday rides "go west" for another year. The weather smiled on us and we had a good turn out for tonight's ride, eight riders, including James, who came along for his first ride with the Club. All seemed to be happy with this 'ere ride leader's suggestion that we steered clear of main roads tonight - only to then seem to be amongst the rush hour traffic anyway at times(!) - well we did try..... A nice ride out via Denchworth, towards Goosey (almost!) then round to Charney Bassett, past Lyford and on to West Hanney, before curling back to Denchworth, O' Land of Pub! Five of us stopped at the pub for the old alcohol replenishment, joining others from other rides, who, despite being on longer rides, were there first! (I slipped up somewhere..) Anyways, let's toast another successful Tuesday Season!
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
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Tue Sep 4th 2012

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks. Includes social stop at the Fox, Denchworth at the end of the ride.
Riders: David Brown David Yearley Riders = 2 Report: Short, sweet and faster than a typical Tuesday evening off-road ride, in order to get to The Fox at Denchworth for dinner and drinks! Just the two of us tonight and we proceeded from Grove to Charlton via Crabhill Lane as usual, noting that the wetness has dried out a little from previous weeks. From Charlton up Larkhill to the point where the track meets Chainhill Road (B4494), then turn right across the track to meet Manor Road (A33. Up the main road for a decent climb, then turn right onto the Ridgeway proper. Along for a while, passing the turn off down into Letcombe Regis, and turning off ourselves just before the Smiths Hill/Gramps Hill turn into Letcombe Bassett. This 'footpath' provides a wonderful stretch of downhill, albeit punctuated by several styles. Speeds well in excess of 35 mph are possible here. The footpath joins up with a bridleway into Letcombe Regis (where The Sparrow public house used to be) and we then followed the road through the village, before climbing Windmill Hill and so to the track that drops down through the edge of East Challow. From there we took the A417, then Circourt Road to Denchworth for a total of 12.5 miles Grove to Denchworth or 14.5 miles Grove to Denchworth to Grove.
Distance: 23.34 km (14.50 mi)
Proposed Route: http://www.movescount.com/moves/move7256777"
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Sat Sep 8th 2012

Round the Isle of Wight	3*

Leader: John Talbot	Start Time: 8:00 am	Start Location: Lymington Pier
Description: We will be following the Round the Island Cycle Route anticlockwise from Yarmouth Harbour. Distance is 105 km (65 miles). We will catch the 08:45 ferry from Lymington Pier. We will travel as day return foot passengers (£12.90, tickets bought before sailing), bikes are carried free of charge. The crossing takes 30 minutes. There is a pay and display car park at the ferry terminal (£5.90 for 2-16hrs). Bring enough change for the machines. You must arrive at least 30mins before the ferry to allow time for parking, buying tickets and boarding. We will car share as much as possible. Please note that it is the weekend of the Bestival on the island. This didn't effect us unduly last year but the car park could be busier than usual and the overflow car park might be in use (£6.00 for 24hrs parking). We can have refreshments on the ferry. There is limited food on the ferry but there is a café at the ferry terminal if you want to arrive early enough to grab some breakfast! Lunch stop will be at the CTC Affiliated Toll Gate Café near Bembridge. We'll aim to stop for afternoon tea/ice cream at Cowes. But if we are delayed we will take refreshments on the return ferry (probably the 17:15 or 17:55). The route is undulating with few flat sections and a couple of stiff climbs but is very scenic. Last year we did the route clockwise. We will cycle at touring pace averaging around 18-20kph (11-12.5mph). Expect around 5.5 to 6hrs of actual cycling time and bring/wear clothing appropriate for the weather forecast. BBC Weather for Ventnor Please let me know beforehand if you are coming on the ride so I can tick you off at Lymington.
Riders: Adrian West Andy Cowan Andy Newell Camen Lei Chris Walters Claire Newell David Bridge Frank Schroer John Talbot Louis Hall Mila Yearley Paul Jarvis Phil Stubbings Richard Pethybridge Riders = 14 Weather: Report: A classic ride with classic weather. Everyone arrived at Lymington Pier in good time for the ferry and it was good to see a decent turnout for the ride. The weather was fantastic and arm warmers and gilets were removed pretty quickly as we hit the first two climbs out of Freshwater. A brief comfort stop and to admire the view at Compton Bay and then onto quiet country roads. The big climb up to Blackgang was achieved pretty easily and then the fab descent into Niton. One of the best cycling roads in Britain along the clifftop towards Ventnor followed with the blue sea far below and the road shaded by trees. One of the main up and downy sections of the route took us to Adgestone where unfortunately David suffered a catastrophic derailleur failure. There was nothing that could be done to even patch up the damage so he was forced to freewheel down into Sandown and use public transport to return to Yarmouth and the ferry. The rest of us continued to Bembridge and the Tollgate Café for a much needed and unhurried lunchbreak by the harbour. My least favourite section of the route followed soon after lunch past Ryde and up the hill from Smallbrook. This is the busiest section with the impatient traffic enhanced by Bestival. I always find leading a group through here stressful with cars everywhere and the group splitting up as they tackle the climbs at their own pace. We gathered together again after negotiating Wootton Bridge and its crazy traffic light junction. Thankfully on the anticlockwise route the approach to Cowes is quiet and we could relax again and enjoy the chain ferry across the River Medina. For the first time ever I managed to follow the correct route through Cowes which took us through the quaint town centre and along the promenade. We took our traditional ice cream stop here and watched the yachts and ships vying for space in the solent. The short sharp climb out of Gurnard was tackled and then it was the rolling route back to Yarmouth via small villages and farmland. We made it just in time to board the 17:15 ferry where we could enjoy refreshments and talk about the day's adventures. Thanks to everyone for coming along and making it such a great ride. One of my favourite British rides and I hope it's yours too now. Same again next year (clockwise)?
Distance: 105.70 km (65.68 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/906136
Boys on the beach Compton Bay Tollgate Café Bembridge Andy showing off his new bike
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1651770"
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Written by : Richard Pethybridge

Posted on : September 9, 2012 at 8:13 PM

Awesome ride, brilliantly led and with some great company. A true English classic.

Tue Sep 11th 2012

Tuesday Evening Off-Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any 2. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: David Yearley Frank Schroer Luke Smith Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Report: The first sign of autumn is the end of most of the CTC Tuesday evening rides. But one continues through the colder 6 months of the year - the off-road ride. The first ride of the season saw two transfers from the road rides: Frank and Luke. And, despite being autumn, the weather was great and the trails the driest since spring. Climbing up Goddards Brook and to the Ridgeway was noticeably easier than it has been due to the firm ground under-wheel. We saw quite a few other riders out taking advantage of the good tracks. We rode east on the Ridgeway and down the Ginge singletrack, again this was in good shape with only a few metres of mud left. How long can it last? As we followed Ginge Brook it was getting dark - unfortunately I'd only brought one spare light, so Frank had to make do with his commuting light. Next time David Y and I will bring all the spare wattage we can find!
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
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Sat Sep 15th 2012

Easy Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: This will be the first of new regular series of monthly leisurely rides on the third Saturday of each month. Note the start time of 2pm for this ride This is a ride I've been thinking about for some time taking in newly-accessible ground through the Harwell Oxford campus. We'll cover about 20 miles to Chilton Garden centre for tea and back, at a leisurely pace of about 10 miles per hour. The route follows a figure of eight through the Springline villages to Chilton using Sustrans route 44 and a mix of quiet country lanes and easy off-road paths and tracks. Out via Charlton, Lockinge, Ginge, the Hendreds and the Icknield Way. We'll return through the Harwell Oxford campus, the Ginge Farm track, Betterton, Ardington and Lains Barn. Some gentle climbs and three great descents. We'll stop regularly to catch our breath and enjoy the views. Expect to be back in Grove by 5pm.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Bridge John Stamp John Tranter Kerry Tucker Lorna Swanton Matthew Quartermain Stephen Quartermain Steve Burr Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Tracey Oakden Riders = 13 Report: What a glorious day and a great turn-out for our first regular Easy Saturday afternoon ride. A warm welcome to Tracey and it was good to see Carin out again too. Our route followed the A338 cyclepath to Charlton and on to the Lord Nelson to join Sustrans route 44. After regrouping briefly, we continued along the bridleway to Lockinge, rejoined the road, passed the stables and fire engine, then up the short hill to Best Mate's statue for a breather. It's a gentle but steady climb from Lockinge to Ginge and riders took it at their own speed regrouping in the sunshine at the top (and enjoying the views to the Ridgeway). After Ginge, our climbing efforts were rewarded with the long downhill into West Hendred. At the bottom we turned right onto the metalled footpath to East Hendred. (Although a footpath, we use this occasionally as an alternative to the Ginge farm track - we give way and dismount if there are pedestrians.) We enjoyed a short tour of the beautiful village of East Hendred before climbing back up to route 44 on the Icknield Way for the Harwell Campus. We continued through Harwell on route 44 across the lights on the A4185 and onto the track towards Hagbourne Hill. After 1/2 mile there is a good track on the right to Chilton. This goes under the A34 and comes out at the bottom of Hagbourne Hill just before the A34 roundabout. We continued through Chilton village and turned left into the Paddocks onto a second bridleway that descends to a second tunnel under the A34 that comes out by the garden centre. Service for tea was rather slow, but the cakes were lovely and it was gorgeous sitting in the sun on the terrace. Our return involved a new route for the club - through the eastern side of the Harwell campus that used to be closed to the public. After following a wiggly route through the old UKAEA site we eventually rejoined the Icknield Way and route 44. We followed route 44 via the Ginge track back to Betterton and then climbed the short hill before our second great descent down to Ardington. Here Brian, Susan and Tracey branched off for Wantage while the rest of us continued to the top of the Lains Barn cross-roads for our final long descent into the Vale. We eventually returned to Grove at about 5:45, somewhat later than planned (I'd rather underestimated our speed on the off-road sections) but after a lovely ride. Thanks everyone for coming and see you all next time. Steve
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
Enjoying a breather in Lockinge Old cottages in East Hendred John and Brian kindly acted as sweepers Time for a rest Steve on the narrow part of route 44 by Harwell Regrouping by the diversion at Harwell Crossing Harwell field to Chilton Cycling back on the Ginge farm track Nearly back in Grove
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Sun Sep 16th 2012

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: 80-100km all-day touring ride, lunch and possibly tea stop en route, riding pace 18-22km/h (11-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing almost inevitable. This month we will ride out to Lechlade for lunch, and then skirt the edge of the Cotswolds. A few hills but mostly level terrain, taken at a leisurely pace with time to enjoy the surroundings. Route outline-Wantage, Letcombe Regis, Letcombe Bassett, Childrey, Sparsholt, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Fernham, Gt Coxwell, Coleshill, Lechlade.(Lunch stop) Lechlade, Langford, Kencot, Alvescot, Black Bourton, Bampton, Aston, Buckland, Gainfield, Charney Bassett, Lyford, Denchworth, Grove , Wantage.
Riders: David Talboys Glen Savegar Guy Yeates Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Well!...A select group of 2 (plus me!) gathered in the market place for this months outing, and an enjoyable day out on the bike! Cycling up Mill Street at 9.15 am towards Alfreds Statue with grey skies above, it seemed waterproofs might be default dress of the day....But it was not to be...and on reaching Gt Coxwell Barn it was actually turning into a fine Autumn day! Quiet roads followed to Lechlade, with Blackberries in abundance along the hedgerows...Wish I'd carried a tupperware container! A nice lunch in the Black Cat Cafe, and then a gentle explore of the villages north of Lechlade, with fields now harvested and straw baled. The general vote was to resist a tea stop at Aston Pottery, with little more than an hour having passed since lunch. Having followed the track alongside the Great Brook and on reaching the T junction, we were met by a nice surprise...An empty main road!...Tadpole Bridge was undergoing restoration work and closed to motor vehicles... Result!...A traffic free climb of Buckland hill! All that remained was a final few kms on quiet back roads, arriving back to Wantage before 4.00pm. A warm welcome to David on his first ride out with Wantage! Glen S
Distance: 80.00 km (49.71 mi)
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Tue Sep 18th 2012

Tuesday Evening Off-Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any 2. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: David Brown David Yearley Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Report: Another new rider switching over from road for the fun of it - welcome Richard P! And a very different route this evening, much more road in order to get in a particularly good descent. We set off through the middle of Grove, then round the cyclepaths and roads of Wantage to Letcombe Regis. From there we went right onto a Bridleway meeting the long green lane in its middle and turning left, up to the B4001 and the Ridgeway. Then straight on to the edge of West Berkshire, through the woods on the left and cross the road to descend at South Barrows - a very exciting descent, chalky on the top (so we were glad it was dry) and rutted on the bottom half. Then we turned north, cross the Ridgeway and the B4507, and rode the road through Sparsholt and Childrey before taking the bridleway to just-before-East Challow, down to the canal and along that back to Wantage. Maybe it was the road riding, maybe it was the dryness of the trails, or the chill in the air, or maybe we were just all feeling in the right mood, but we seemed to go much faster than usual - a good leg burner as well as some cracking off-roading.
Distance: 28.16 km (17.50 mi)
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Sat Sep 22nd 2012

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

Leader: David Smith	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A Hillier ride to Hermitage! 36 miles (57km) afternoon ride with a tea stop at Hilliers Garden centre in Hermitage (excellent cakes!), at a riding pace of 11-13mph. There are quite a few hills on the route but the pace will be very easy to compensate, no one will be left behind. There is also lots of descent on the way back to compensate! So come and stretch your legs on a September Saturday afternoon. I expect to be back in Grove by 17:30 but bringing lights would be advisable.
Riders: Adrian West Barry Gills David Smith Des Higgs Guy Yeates John Hogston John Stamp Michael Tayler Mila Yearley Nicole Pethybridge Richard Delacour Richard Pethybridge Steve Boreham Ursula Hallam Riders = 14 Report: A very good turnout for a hilly ride at the top end of 2* on a lovely sunny but slightly chilly afternoon. John S took advantage of the delay while we waited for Adrian to arrive to get a head start on Court Hill and we finally caught up with him having a rest near the memorial on the left turn to Woolley. After the climb up from the memorial we all enjoyed the descent and were soon heading south on the B4494 towards the turn for the short sharp climb up to Peasemore where we all got a bit of a shock as there was a large white van coming down the hill! From the top of the climb the route passes through some gently rolling terrain with the biggest hills being the bridges over the A34 and M4 followed by a coast down to the café at Hillier Garden Centre, where we found Steve Boreham waiting for us. After excellent tea and cakes we headed through Hermitage to Beedon and back to the B4494 at Lilley where Steve left us to head back to his car. Then John S said he would like to tackle the ascent up to the top of Chain Hill at his own pace and urged us not to wait for him, so the rest of us set of at a cracking pace in anticipation of the great descent down to Wantage. The return to Grove proved the tricky part as I tried to take us through Charlton and onto the cyclepath but ended up at a dead end having mistakenly gone left at the double roundabout! Thanks to everyone for coming out and I hope you enjoyed the route as much as I did. According to the stats we did ~700m of climbing!
Distance: 54.90 km (34.11 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/937915
Proposed Route: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=453476"
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Tue Sep 25th 2012

Tuesday Evening Off-Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any 2. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: David Brown David Yearley Richard Anstis Richard Pethybridge Riders = 4 Report: The clouds burst about one hour before we started off, just to make sure we had plenty of puddles and mud! From Grove, along the usual Crabhill Lane route into Wantage, and then along to West Lockinge. Up Goddards Brook, where David had a puncture. Thanks to Richard P for the use of the CO2 inflator. I'll have to get one of those! Along the Ridgeway and down the Ginge singletrack, across the bridge of doom and back the usual way. It was wet and muddy, but good fun as always. I think next week may see the winter mud tyres being fitted.
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Sun Sep 30th 2012

Easy Sunday Afternoon Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A leisurely and sociable ride suitable for all, including families, an ideal introduction to group cycling. We'll be heading to Uffington for tea by way of the springline villages of East Challow, Childrey, Sparsholt and Kingston Lisle, returning through the Vale via Baulking and Goosey. A round trip of about 20 miles at a relaxed pace of about 10 miles per hour. We'll stop regularly to rest, enjoy the views and look at anything that takes our interest. This will be the last Sunday this year when tea and cakes will be served in St. Mary's church. It's all homebaked, good value and in a lovely setting. If you've never been then do come along on the ride or meet us there from about 3:30pm.
Riders: Castel Fairlie Claire Prestidge David Bridge Frank Schroer Gerald Foster John Stamp Jon Siddle Lorna Swanton Matthew Quartermain Neil Warner Sara Smith Stephen Quartermain Steve Burr Steve Swanton Tracey Oakden Vicky Mann Riders = 16 Weather: Report: Another great turnout (16) for a weekend 1* ride despite the overcast and breezy conditions. A warm welcome to newcomers Castel, Claire, Gerald, Jon and Vicky. Gerald was riding a veteran, 1920s single speed roadster; probably the oldest bike we've had on a club ride, and much admired by those technically minded. At the other end of the spectrum... Steve B was riding the youngest bike to date; his new Specialised Secteur roadbike fresh from the bike shop on Saturday! We left Grove via Downsview Road (to the Technology Park) to take the old airfield road up to Stockham. From there a short stretch along the A417 before turning off into East Challow where we took the track and bridleway to Childrey. After a short stop on the road to Sparsholt to allow Lorna, who'd started late, to catch up and join us, we continued through the villages to Kingston Lisle. Our earlier climbing efforts were then rewarded by the sharp descent of Fawler Hill. Very soon we were down in Uffington and parking up in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church. As ever, there was a wonderful choice of cakes and a good sized pot of tea with hot water for a refill. While we were queueing, Pat and Sue arrived from Lambourn. It was good to have a brief catch up. Then as we were preparing to leave, sudden drama. Steve B had lost his padlock key! A flurry of searching: the church, the path, the tables, the church kitchen, loo, clothing and bag. Eventually it was found, deep in a pocket. Phew! With relief we set off back to Grove taking the flat and wind-assisted route via Baulking and Goosey. We became rather stretched out on the way back, with the experienced riders taking turns to chat with Gerald pushing his single-speed at the rear. Unfortunately, after Goosey the leading group of riders caught the smell of home and disappeared from view, leaving 4 of us behind. These things happen sometimes, but we understand the rest made it safely back to Grove. A real highlight for me today was the gentle chirrup of chatter from the group behind as we rode back from Baulking. To me that easy sociability is one of the delights of group riding. See you all for the next one - Sara's ride on the 20th October.
Distance: 32.19 km (20.00 mi)
On the track from Challow to Childrey Tea and cakes in the church The lost key is found Admiring the veteran cycle
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Written by : Claire Prestidge

Posted on : October 2, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Thanks for a very enjoyable afternoon, it was good to stretch the legs and meet a new bunch of people who obviously enjoy their cycling as much as I do (and the tea and cakes were as good as they were promised to be).
Apologies for not waiting for everyone to re-group at OMH after the ride. I didn't realise we were supposed to and I just followed suit as I saw others wend their way home. It was only afterwards I thought that it would have been good manners to wait and thank you for organising the ride and also thought of the safety implications of checking that everyone had made it back safely.
Once again thank you for organising the trip and I look forward to joining the group on further rides in the near future.

Written by : Castel

Posted on : October 2, 2012 at 3:43 PM

My first time out on a club ride and really enjoyed it. The members made you feel very welcome and they were very socialable.

I appreciate this was a level 1* ride and therefore differing paces.

Noted next time I will also finish at the start point I appreicate that we should be logged back in.

Thanks.

Castel

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