Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Oct 2nd 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 Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Report: The wet conditions captured a victim this night - on a fast and chalky/rocky descent, David Y lost it and plunged into the bushes, being saved from rolling down the hill by a barbed wire fence - ouch! He now has a line of 6 equi-spaced holes in his leg, but fortunately nothing more serious. I'd show you the picture, but this is a family website. David B's gears gave some trouble too - the rear cable seized up no doubt in response to many months of harsh treatment. (Memo to self: put some lube on my cables). Apart from that, where did we go? Over to Wantage then up Lark Hill. [Stop to turn DB's bike into a 3-speeder]. Turn left and up to the Ridgeway. Over the back and down to the road, then a U-turn and back up. Straight over and down towards Betterton [stopping half way to pull DY out of the bushes and check him over]. Then left and back to Wantage by road and Grove via cycle path - we'd had enough action by then!
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Sat Oct 6th 2012

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Adrian West	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 60-70km (38 - 45 miles) ride, with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-22km/h (13-14mph). Likely to visit distant destinations. Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. Grove to Zappi's bike cafe in Oxford and back via Abingdon. This ride is a 3* version of John Tranter's 2* ride and will involve a lot more roads and a lot less cycle paths just for the 3* rider. Not very hilly with only one fair sized bump and the ride will be run at the normal 3* pace so this may be a good challenge/ bridging ride for a strong 2* rider. We will have a short tea stop at Zappi's bike cafe once in Oxford and then back to Grove via Abingdon. We should be home well before the sun sets, but please bring lights just in case conditions require them. Please let me know if you want to come along so I can let Zappi's know roughly how many of us will be visiting them for a tea stop.
Riders: Adrian West Barry Gills David Smith Janet Charleston John Tranter Richard Abbot Richard Page Stephen Quartermain Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Weather: Report: A good bike ride on a sunny Autumn day. 9 of us left OMH as a group, rode as a group and enjoyed the entire ride, riding at a good 3* pace as a group. We Stayed close together and maintained the group without anyone dropping off the back or shooting off the front, this was helped with the very enjoyable vibe and conversations while in the saddle. Due to this we made good time without having to expend too much energy. Zappi's bike Cafe again was a big hit with everybody, especially as we had to use the dedicated bike ramps to take our bikes with us to the cafe upstairs for coffee, cakes and club sandwiches. The ride went without any problems and John was very good at showing us some crafty alternative routes through oxford, avoiding traffic and making the ride even more interesting. We only deviated a little, but it made the ride better, we even added a bit on the ride at the end. Overal a typical, brisk and quite flat and very enjoyable 3* Saturday afternoon ride from Grove.
Distance: 69.20 km (43.00 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/962533
Proposed Route: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=466558"
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Mon Oct 8th 2012

CTC Wantage AGM

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: The Greyhound Inn, Letcombe Regis
Description: Our AGM will again be held at The Greyhound Inn, Letcombe Regis, starting at 7.30pm. Following formal proceedings and club trophy presentations, there will be ample time to enjoy the (free) buffet and a relaxed chat. You are all very welcome. Date is now closed for agenda items. Thankyou!
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon Andy Cowan Andy Pixton Chris Walters David Bridge David Smith Des Higgs Geoff Covey Glen Savegar Guy Yeates John Talbot John Tranter Katherine Boyce Kerry Tucker Lorna Swanton Maurice Bawden Michael Tayler Nicole Pethybridge Paul Jarvis Richard Pethybridge Richard Preece Robin Tucker Steve Boreham Steve Burr Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 27 Weather: Report: A very productive and enjoyable meeting, expertly and swiftly chaired by John. This years committee remains unchanged- Chairman- John Tranter. Secretary- Glenn Savegar. Rides Secretary and Programme- John Talbot. Treasurer- Steve Quartermain. Publicity- Steve Boreham. CTC Oxon Rep- Neil Warner. Committee Member- Robin Tucker. This years "Rider Of The Year" trophy was awarded to Geoff Covey and The "Clubman Of The Year" trophy awarded to Robin Tucker. Well done to you both!...much deserved! An excellent buffet was provided by the Greyhound Inn ! Thanks everyone for your valuable input! Glen S
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Tue Oct 9th 2012

CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: THIS RIDE WILL NOT GO AHEAD DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES! 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.
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Sun Oct 14th 2012

New Forest Gridiron	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Boldre, Hampshire (near Lymington)
Description: 100km ride around the periphery of the New Forest. The format is similar to an Audax, but with 800+ expected riders, it will feel more like a Sportive! The plan is to ride at a moderate but not speedy pace (the controls will not be open if we go too fast!) - if there are varying speeds of rider, we may split into groups. This is a fantastic ride around the scenic New Forest and very well organised. The route includes parts of the 2* ride we did during the summer. Please arrive at the start ready to ride at 09:00 - it will take at least 30 minutes to check in and unload bikes etc. Let me know ASAP if you intend to come, so we can arrange lift sharing. Please enter online at the URL below. Advance entries are £5.00, but if you enter on the day the cost goes up to £10.00. http://www.wessexcycling.org.uk/gridiron-on-line-entry.php
Riders: Chris Walters John Talbot John Tranter Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Although it was rather nippy at the start, the weather remained bright and sunny for the whole ride. The GridIron was busier than I've ever seen it, so there was hardly a moment when we weren't part of a bigger group (most of the seemed to be originating from Frome). If you've never done the GridIron, then it's really worth the trip - as buzzing as a sportive and as quirky and friendly as an audax.
Distance: 96.30 km (59.84 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/977138
Proposed Route: http://www.wessexctc.org/grdetail.htm"
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Tue Oct 16th 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 Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Report: Three of us riding, wet on the ground but not actually raining. We went over to Wantage then followed the Sustrans route through Lockinge and peeled off left toward Ardington, then right along the Byway. We could have tried crossing the GInge Brook and up the steep slippery slope, but it wasn't going to happen so we turned right and followed the road round to pick up the Byway again. Then East to the road, right and right again along the Sustrans back to Ginge Farm where we headed up to the Ridgeway on Zigzag hill. I was worried we would be against the wind on the way back, but it wasn't bad. We came down by the gallops and by Goddards Brook. Then back to Wantage and Grove the usual way. Quite a pleasant 17 miles, but the bikes certainly needed a clean!
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
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Tue Oct 16th 2012

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Do you want to have a regular weekday outdoor ride through the winter months? Quick but flat 2* ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 40km each week. We will not ride as fast as 3* pace, nor will we tackle hills. Will not run if icy, very windy or wet - check the website for cancellation by mid-day on the day of the ride. Good lights capable of lasting the full ride are essential, as is suitable clothing to deal with the cold. On the first Tuesday of every month we will have a slightly shorter ride, finishing at the Fox in Denchworth for some liquid refreshment at 20:30, where other club members are invited to join us for a social.
Riders: Adrian West Andy Cowan Andy Pixton Barry Gills Chris Walters David Smith Des Higgs Geoff Covey Janet Charleston John Stamp John Talbot John Tranter Phil Stubbings Richard Preece Ursula Hallam Riders = 15 Weather: Report: There was I thinking it might be a few hardy souls braving the darkness. 15 riders turned out for the inaugural 2* evening winter ride. After a quick briefing on lights, and other slight changes to our usual riding style, we set off for a simple circuit of the Vale. It wasn't too cold and the wind was very light. Uffington church was nicely illuminated and greeted our passing with a peal of bells, making it hard to continue the conversations for a minute or two. There were no dramas, just a nice social feel to the ride, with the pace being pretty solid for 2* but easily manageable by all. Well done to everyone for easily adapting their normal riding styles to the darkness and for being such a fantastic group to be riding with. I guess that the experiment is over - roll on next week!
Distance: 38.70 km (24.05 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/979473
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1814979"
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Sat Oct 20th 2012

Easy Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: Sara Smith	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A ride of about 20 miles to Millets Farm for tea and back, at a leisurely pace of about 10 miles per hour. We'll head out via Denchworth, Charney Bassett and Southmoor returning via West Hanney. A fairly flat ride, we'll stop regularly to catch our breath. Expect to be back in Grove by 4pm.
Riders: Andy Cowan Brian Hipwell David Bridge Edith Hipwell Frank Schroer Gerald Foster Jane Pearson John Stamp Judith Agnew Liz Buckle Lorna Swanton Matthew Quartermain Phil Jeffery Richard Saunders Sara Smith Stan Cowan Stephen Quartermain Steve Boreham Steve Burr Steve Swanton Tracey Oakden Riders = 21 Report:
Distance: 29.45 km (18.30 mi)
Cycling out Flat lanes of the plain Judith an Phil Carbon fibre meets solid technology Resting in West Hannay More West Hanney Phew! Securing the mighty beast Gerald
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1

Written by : AndyCowan

Posted on : October 20, 2012 at 7:09 PM

Hi Sara I f you don t mind,I ve got a 8yr old who wants his name on the rider list please !....and thanks for a good ride.

Sun Oct 21st 2012

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: NB: start at Old Mill Hall, Grove. Continuing my Oxford special series, this is a fairly gentle ride, only really designated 3* by the total distance (around 100km / 65 miles). We will go out via Hanney, Steventon & Sutton Courtenay to Long Wittenham, then cross the Thames at Clifton Hampden and go through the Baldons to Garsington and Wheatley. Then a super cunning cut through to Shotover and Headington, past the house with a shark in the roof, down Headington Hill, right into the heart of Oxford for lunch at the Mitre on The High - which happens to be managed by our own Andy Cowan who has a few treats in store! Then we head north to Wolvercote and round Port Meadow to Botley and Cumnor, followed by a gentle run home via Fyfield and Charney Bassett. Easy riding pace of 18-22km/h (11-14mph).
Riders: Adrian West Andy Pixton David Talboys Derek Boutle Des Higgs John Tranter Katherine Boyce Louis Hall Nicole Pethybridge Steve Swanton Riders = 10 Weather: Report: A great turn-out on a not very promising Autumn morning. Fortunately, the weather improved during the day. A great ride, a great group, and I think the highlight was the free VIP lunch at the Mitre, courtesy of Andy Cowan - thanks, Andy!
Distance: 90.12 km (56.00 mi)
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Tue Oct 23rd 2012

CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: THERE IS NO OFF-ROAD RIDE THIS WEEK 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.
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Tue Oct 23rd 2012

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Quick but flat 2* ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 40km each week. We will not ride as fast as 3* pace, nor will we tackle hills. Will not run if icy, very windy or wet - check the website for cancellation by mid-day on the day of the ride. Good lights capable of lasting the full ride are essential, as is suitable clothing to deal with the cold. Please also consider riding with mudguards for the comfort of other riders, as roads are often damp on winter evenings. On the first Tuesday of every month we will have a slightly shorter ride, finishing at the Fox in Denchworth for some liquid refreshment at 20:30, where other club members are invited to join us for a social.
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon Andy Cowan Andy Pixton Chris Walters David Smith Des Higgs Frank Schroer Geoff Covey John Stamp John Talbot Katherine Boyce Phil Stubbings Richard Delacour Richard Preece Ursula Hallam Riders = 16 Weather: Report: 16 riders this week! The weather was a very fine drizzle throughout the ride, but not really enough to call it rain. Andy punctured on a poor road surface near Hinton Waldrist, which we sorted out pretty quickly and set off again.
Distance: 34.90 km (21.69 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/990022
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1821677"
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Sat Oct 27th 2012

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 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. For October we will be exploring the quiet minor roads west of Wantage. Autumn colours will be at their finest, so hopefully a little sunshine will be on the menu! We will head out through the Letcombes before dropping down to Childrey and onto Sparsholt, Westcot, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Fernham, Coxwells, calling at Faringdon for tea. Returning by way of Fernham, Baulking, Goosey, and Denchworth. (Approx 50 kms) Weather forecast looking good but chilly...We will be back well before dusk, but advisable to bring lights and reflectives in case of delays!
Riders: Brian Hipwell Chloe Tucker David Smith David Yearley Des Higgs Glen Savegar Guy Yeates John Stamp Kerry Tucker Michael Tayler Mila Yearley Paul Watson Richard Delacour Richard Preece Richard Saunders Robin Tucker Sarah Gilbert Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 19 Weather: Report: A fine turnout and afternoon. A repeat of a route I have led quite a few times now, so the OS map wasn't really necessary to be honest!... Once clear of the bustle of Grove and Wantage, we were soon on quiet back roads and enjoying the Autumn colours, with the temperature remaining in single figures due to a brisk Northerly breeze. A brief stop to admire the magnificent Tythe Barn at Great Coxwell before heading onto Faringdon for tea, where the sensible members of the group opted to sit indoors, whilst the remainder of us shivered outside...The sunshine was too nice to resist!... Returning in good time now assisted by the breeze, we said bye to Des at Fernham, arriving back to Old Mill Hall for just before 5.00pm. It's hard to imagine our next Saturday 2* ride will need lights for the homeward stretch. A warm welcome to Sarah, joining us for her first ride with CTC Wantage! Thanks everyone, and to Steve for the extra photo's! Glen S
Distance: 51.00 km (31.69 mi)
Summit of Ringdale Hill...It's actually chillier than it looks! Gt Coxwell Tythe Barn...I wonder what storys this lovely old building has to tell? Some fine adjustment of rear mech! Guy relaxing whilst everyone else suffers!...;-) Last push before tea! But just one more hill!... Faringdon Church and Autumn Leaves! Homeward bound!
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Tue Oct 30th 2012

CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: THERE IS NO OFF-ROAD RIDE THIS WEEK 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.
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Tue Oct 30th 2012

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Quick but flat 2* ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 40km each week. We will not ride as fast as 3* pace, nor will we tackle hills. Will not run if icy, very windy or wet - check the website for cancellation by mid-day on the day of the ride. Good lights capable of lasting the full ride are essential, as is suitable clothing to deal with the cold. Please also consider riding with mudguards for the comfort of other riders, as roads are often damp on winter evenings. The forecast is for the weather to be a bit nippier, so please wrap up warm! A quick reminder that we should be keeping to the published speeds to keep the ride accessible to 2* riders... so don't ride off the front if you can't see your speedo.
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon Andy Cowan Andy Pixton Chris Walters David Smith David Yearley Des Higgs Geoff Covey Janet Charleston John Stamp John Talbot John Tranter Katherine Boyce Paul Jarvis Richard Delacour Richard Preece Ursula Hallam Riders = 18 Weather: Report: A slight nip in the air tonight, but absolutely fine once we got going. As there were 18 riders tonight (will we break 20 next week??), we split into two groups and kept an even distance between them right the way through the ride. Some great communication of holes in the first group tonight, well done everyone. The pace was slightly above the advertised rate, but all riders coped really well.
Distance: 41.60 km (25.85 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1000523
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1821669"
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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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