Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Mar 1st 2014

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Louis Hall	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 70km (45 miles) ride, with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-22km/h (13-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Some climbing. ROUTE CHANGED TO AVOID LAMBOURN VALLEY We will ride past Wantage, through the Letcombes and up Hackpen before returning to the spring line road (B4507). Given that it's such a lovely day we will ride to the top of Dragon Hill and pause for the views before pressing on to Ashbury. Then it's downhill through Shrivenham and onto Highworth. There a couple of bumps on the road to Faringdon, where we will pause for refreshments. The post prandial restart will be gentle, flat to Thrupp, before Littleworth. After half a mile on the A420 we will turn down Sandy Lane and return via Charney Bassett and Denchworth. At 70 km with700m of climbing we should still be back well before sunset, which is at 17:45 today.
Riders: Chris Walters Dave Martin David Smith Janet Charleston Louis Hall Ursula Hallam Riders = 6 Weather: Report: Has spring arrived? Brilliant sunshine. Gentle breezes. Temperature in double figures. Midges! The roads were quiet when we departed and they remained so. We set off at a good pace through to Letcombe. We slowed as we climbed Hackpen and paused at the top before whizzing back down to the spring line road. Climbing Dragon Hill was hard, as usual. The views from the top were fantastic. With significant potholes en route we had to take care as we pushed on to Ashbury. Our route through Shrivenham and onto Highworth was straightforward. The climbs at Coleshill and Badbury were conquered. The Coffee Shop in Faringdon was most welcome, and, as ever, welcoming. We returned to Old Mill Hall before 5:00 pm having averaged 13.5 mph. A most enjoyable afternoon!
Distance: 70.00 km (43.50 mi)
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4116076"
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Tue Mar 4th 2014

Winter Social Evening

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 8:00 pm	Start Location: The Fox, Denchworth
Description: To continue the summer post-ride social evenings, we'll be meeting at 20:00 on the first Tuesday of each month at the Fox public house in Denchworth. All club members welcome!
Riders: Adrian West Andy Pixton Carin Tranter Chris Walters Des Higgs John Tranter Katherine Boyce Neil Warner Riders = 8 Report: It's hard to write a report on a pub social evening, so I won't.
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Tue Mar 4th 2014

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-roading in the dark is an experience you must try for your cycling life to be complete! Knobbly tyres and lights required. About 15 miles up to the Ridgeway and back down again. Sometimes, by agreement on the night, we might go a bit further. Bright lights are required for off-road riding in the dark, and a rear light for getting home. I have 2 spare ones that I can lend so you can see if you like it before buying your own. Contact me so I know to bring them. Dark, cold and wet – we'll ride in any two. 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 Talboys David Yearley Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 5 Weather: Report: Welcome back Richard P, and good to see Dave Tallboys out getting muddy too. Another 'not raining but wet ground' night, but this time a pub night. We started wiggling through Grove and Wantage on various paths and tracks, then out to the Letcombes and up Gramps Hill. Turn right and the Ridgeway and along to Sparsholt Field for a fast and somewhat sketchy descent. Then rode the road to the Fox.
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
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Sat Mar 8th 2014

CTC Wantage Annual Dinner

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: The Boar - Ardington
Description: For a variety of reasons, we have slightly delayed the annual Club dinner this year from its usual January date (probably just as well, or our dinner would probably have floated away on the floods). So – mark your diaries, the date for the Club dinner this year is Saturday 8th March. The venue is the excellent Boar at Ardington. There is a fixed menu with some great choices - check out the link below. Please let me know if you would like to attend, and your menu choices, by Sunday 9th February at the latest. Many thanks JT John Tranter Chairman – CTC Wantage
Riders: Andy Pixton Carin Tranter Chris Walters David Bridge David Smith John Tranter Katherine Boyce Kerry Tucker Lorna Swanton Louis Hall Neil Warner Nick Dunton Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Richard Saunders Robin Tucker Sara Smith Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 19 Report: Great food, great location, great service, great fun! Thanks to Neil for his inspired recommendation. This was a good evening.
Proposed Route: http://www.ctcwantage.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Special-3-Course-Set-Menu.pdf"
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Tue Mar 11th 2014

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-roading in the dark is an experience you must try for your cycling life to be complete! Knobbly tyres and lights required. About 15 miles up to the Ridgeway and back down again. Sometimes, by agreement on the night, we might go a bit further. Bright lights are required for off-road riding in the dark, and a rear light for getting home. I have 2 spare ones that I can lend so you can see if you like it before buying your own. Contact me so I know to bring them. Dark, cold and wet – we'll ride in any two. 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: Allen Stacey David Brown David Talboys David Yearley Nick Stokell Paul Moore Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 8 Weather: Report: 8 of us tonight! And it seems the weather has improved - for which I think we must thank the road contingent for deciding to end their winter series. However, it hadn't dried up enough to change Crab Hill, so we set off along the cycle path to the Nelson and then to Betterton and up the Ridgeway. As we were all feeling strong, we went down the other side and up again to Scutchhamer's Knob. Then down again to the campus corner and left at the bottom. Always a fun descent, this time with added bumpiness due to hoof prints at the bottom. Sustrans Ginge, then along the brook, up the rooty section and eventually to Ardington. We came back via Lain's Barn. A good fun ride at a fair pace.
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
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Thu Mar 13th 2014

Turbo Session

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Turbo sessions are back for the second season! We are using the Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall in Grove on Thursday evenings. The block of 10 sessions begins on 9th January and ends on 27th March. NB: There will be no sessions on 23rd January or 6th March as the hall is unavailable. Please see the Turbo Sessions information page. There are some simple rules that we must abide by. Do not arrive at the sessions without reading these first.
Riders: Chris Walters David Talboys Des Higgs Katherine Boyce Riders = 4 Report: We did a turbo session.
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Sat Mar 15th 2014

Joint Easy Saturday afternoon ride with Isis Cyclist from Didcot	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Sainsbury's car park, Didcot
Description: A change of venue for our easy-paced ride this month, when we'll be having our third joint ride with Isis Cyclists from Oxford. This will a 20-mile ride following a clockwise route around the eastern vale at an easy pace of about 10mph. Tea stop at Savages Garden Centre, Blewbury. All welcome. Note there is a charge for parking over 2 hours at the Orchard Centre (Sainsburys) car park. 3-4 hours is £2. You may prefer to use the long stay car park just to the West: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/carpark/high_street/ox11/didcot/ which should be free.
Riders: Adrian West Barbara Lambers Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter Chloe Tucker Janet Hammonds John Tranter Judith Agnew Lorna Swanton Michael Tayler Phil Jeffery Robin Tucker Sara Smith Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 15 Weather: Report: A glorious Spring day saw a great turn out of 24 riders from the two clubs. We split into two groups of 12 for the ride to tea, with a good mix of riders between the two. Clare Farley from Isis led the faster front group while Steve S, led the second at a slightly more gentle pace. We headed out through Ladygrove and NCN Route 5 to Long Wittenham (now above water and dried out) and on to Little Wittenham for the climb up to the clumps. There we rested and enjoyed the views over the Vale to the Chilterns and Berkshire Downs. Turning West over Down Hill, there was a bit of road rage incident for group 2 as a passing driver verbally abused a number of riders; some were shaken briefly. But never before had we considered that CTC might stand for "Cycling Terrorists' Club". Our contempt having turned to humour, we continued on our way and the incident was soon forgotten in the sunshine, scenery, pretty villages and good company. We continued through North and South Moreton, rolled through the Astons and on to Blewbury for tea. The different paces of the groups had the great advantage that we didn't all arrive at the cafe at once, and the first group had just finished ordering when group 2 turned up. The Style Acre tearooms did us proud and it was lovely sitting outside in the sunshine over teas and coffees with cake or scones. Back into Didcot via Upton and the railway path enjoying the views over the Vale in the later afternoon sunshine. Thanks to Clare for planning the route and ride. We will aim to host a return joint ride in the Summer - perhaps a Sunday afternoon ride to Uffington for tea.
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
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Sun Mar 16th 2014

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Nick Dunton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: A figure-of-eight route of approx. 90km on reasonably clean roads to avoid puncture stops. Three-star ride with no major hills, so brisk pace. Should be back in Wantage by 3.30 p.m. but bring lights in case of unscheduled stops. Route may vary depending on road conditions - in particular, may miss out Hagbournes where floods & potholes still present. Route goes east on A417, Lains Barn Lane, Hanneys, Steventon, Drayton, Sutton Courtenay, Appleford, Long Wittenham [via cycle path], Wittenham Clumps, Wallingford [coffee stop, if required], Shillingford, Newington, Stadhampton, Golden Balls [lunch stop at Notcutts Garden Centre], Clifton Hampton, Long Wittenham, Mortons, Hagbournes, Chilton, Rowstock, West Hendred, Ginge, Lockinges, Wantage Nick Dunton 01235-848580/07774-838310
Riders: Andy Pixton Barry Farquhar Chris Walters David Talboys Katherine Boyce Nick Dunton Riders = 6 Weather: Report: Beautiful day – felt quite springilike, with legs and arms on display – many cyclists out enjoying the warm weather. Nick played the role of Pothole-Finder General, with a back-wheel puncture within 2 km of the start after hitting a submerged cavern in the floods of Lockinge. Nick continued to give a masterclass on how not to mend punctures, finally getting home on his fourth inner-tube: thanks Katherine and Chris for the loan of spares. Route was pretty much as advertised: both the road through Hagborne and Hagbourne Hill are now open. We lunched at Notcutts Garden Centre, and stopped for tea at the Q tearoom, sitting outside in the sunshine. Good pace throughout, home at 4.00.
Distance: 92.60 km (57.54 mi)	Ride Details: http://www.strava.com/activities/121245466
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4143716"
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Tue Mar 18th 2014

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride - Wallingford	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: Wallingford Market Place
Description: 3rd Tuesday so we will be riding from Wallingford with Dan Hart leading. (Sorry for late notice) Off-roading in the dark is an experience you must try for your cycling life to be complete! Knobbly tyres and lights required. About 15 miles, Sometimes, by agreement on the night, we might go a bit further. Bright lights are required for off-road riding in the dark, and a rear light for getting home.
Riders: David Brown David Yearley Richard Pethybridge Riders = 3 Report: Three of us headed over to Wallingford to sample some of the best single-track in the area. There were a few tough climbs, but smiles all round as we reached the end of Grim's ditch and made our way back into Wallingford town centre.
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Thu Mar 20th 2014

Turbo Session

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Turbo sessions are back for the second season! We are using the Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall in Grove on Thursday evenings. The block of 10 sessions begins on 9th January and ends on 27th March. NB: There will be no sessions on 23rd January or 6th March as the hall is unavailable. Please see the Turbo Sessions information page. There are some simple rules that we must abide by. Do not arrive at the sessions without reading these first.
Riders: Chris Walters David Talboys Des Higgs Katherine Boyce Riders = 4 Report: No dramas.
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Sat Mar 22nd 2014

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

Leader: David Bridge	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Wantage to Aston Pottery via Standlake returning via Buckland. Hopefully it is all passable by now. It's about 32 mile route and I expect we will average about 12mph.
Riders: Chris Browning Chris Gray Chris Walters David Bridge Henry Hall Louis Hall Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Val Smith Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Our 9 riders pedalled off at about 13:07hrs, trying as best we could to keep together. Walked across the A420 at Southmoor. Got onto the road by Yelford where a car coming the other way was driving as though he was expecting to be the only one using the single track road. Fortunately we managed to avoid him. Arrived at Ashton Pottery for tea and cakes just before 15:00. We decided after consulting local knowledge (ie the waitress) that it would be OK to use the Great Brook road out of Aston rather than going via Bampton. It was well clear of floods this time so that proved correct. Climbed Buckland Hill to meet up at the Bridge over Nonexistant Water and made our way back via Charney Basset to Grove our peace only interrupted by someone who thought that we might not let him past without a blast or 2 on his horn. And after all that the expected heavy showers never turned up.
Distance: 50.00 km (31.07 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2374926
Leaving the cafe
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2340576"
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Sun Mar 23rd 2014

New Forest Tour	2*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Cadnam - Sir John Barleycorn pub
Description: All-day Sunday ride through the New Forest. 80km at 2* pace. Taking in the delights of Beaulieu (possible coffee stop), Brockenhurst, the Bolderwood ornamental drive, we will lunch at the Red Shoot in at Linwood before heading back up a couple of steady climbs before meandering back to Cadnam. All 2* riders should be able to complete this ride, it's a good distance, but nothing too hard, and the final hour is quite an easy finish. We will ride to accommodate the slowest rider. Please let Chris know if you're planning to come - the ride will not run without support.
Riders: Andy Pixton Chris Walters David Talboys Des Higgs John Talbot Katherine Boyce Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Riders = 8 Weather: Report: It was a bit nippy at the start, but the very strong 2* group made good time to the tea shop in Beaulieu. The owner watched with amazement as David demolished a fudge cake so early in the day. The weather was getting darker as we rode along the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, and we were pretty slick at getting under a holly tree when it started to hail. No point getting wet. It didn't take long to pass, and we all enjoyed the climb up the Bolderwood Ornamental Drive. Another well-timed stop, this time under the A35 road bridge, avoided another downpour. It was a bit touch and go, but we were settled down in the Red Shoot Inn at Linwood as the next hailstorm made its' presence felt. Riders 3, Rain 0. Excellent service and top food made for a leisurely lunch, and only a puncture for Kath near Blissford punctuated the run up to Deadmans Hill, at which a nice tailwind allowed a fine pace to be kept. A quick coffee at the pub concluded the ride.
Distance: 81.20 km (50.46 mi)	Ride Details: http://www.strava.com/activities/123346289
Storm clouds gather over the New Forest Chocolate box cottages Mandatory puncture repair photo
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3635794"
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Tue Mar 25th 2014

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Off-roading in the dark is an experience you must try for your cycling life to be complete! Knobbly tyres and lights required. About 15 miles up to the Ridgeway and back down again. Sometimes, by agreement on the night, we might go a bit further. Bright lights are required for off-road riding in the dark, and a rear light for getting home. I have 2 spare ones that I can lend so you can see if you like it before buying your own. Contact me so I know to bring them. Dark, cold and wet – we'll ride in any two. 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 Talboys Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Another "not actually raining but still very wet" night. We went up Lark Hill then on the road a bit and left at the gallops. I'm glad to say that this idea (© D Brown) got us up to the Ridgeway without took much mud. It encouraged us to do it again. So we went down Ice Valley and then back up to the Ridgeway. Then straight across it and down the fast descent to Betterton. Back home via Lains Barn.
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Thu Mar 27th 2014

Turbo Session

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Turbo sessions are back for the second season! We are using the Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall in Grove on Thursday evenings. The block of 10 sessions begins on 9th January and ends on 27th March. NB: There will be no sessions on 23rd January or 6th March as the hall is unavailable. Please see the Turbo Sessions information page. There are some simple rules that we must abide by. Do not arrive at the sessions without reading these first.
Riders: Chris Walters David Talboys Des Higgs Katherine Boyce Riders = 4 Report: Last night of the turbo season - a big "thank you" to everyone who has supported these sessions this year!
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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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