Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Jan 3rd 2015

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: With the Christmas excess to redress, what better way than a ride up on the downs. As many of you know I lead best from the back on hills, so don't be put off if you feel hills are not your forte. They certainly aren't mine! We'll start with a climb up from Letcombe Regis on to the A338, leaving it at the Betherton turn, wiggling our way through to Chaddleworth, Leckhamstead and Peasemore before joining the Wantage - Newbury road at Liley for our return to Wantage via Chain Hill. We may stop at the excellent Saddleworth Farm Shop for coffee if we have time, otherwise we will stop at Costa on the way back to the Old Mill Hall. Whilst we will have passed the shortest day, the sun will be setting about 4pm, so you must bring decent lights with you in case of delays completing the ride. I will be keeping an eye on the weather forecast and if there is any doubt, I will make a final decision on running the ride by 11.45 on the morning of the ride. UPDATE 11.15 Saturday 3rd: although it is cold and damp it's not as wet as forecasted so I am intending to still run the ride. However I reserve the right to change my mind at 1pm if it is hammering it down!
Riders: Alan Delaney David Talboys John Tranter Katherine Boyce Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Richard Preece Simon Payne Riders = 8 Weather: Report: Well it was definitely one of those days when it is touch and go on whether or not to run a ride. However the rain wasn't as bad as predicted and just before 1 it looked as if it was clearing. So 8 brave souls decided that a post-Christmas ride was worth the dodgy weather. We said goodbye to Nicole and Richard P at Court Hill when the Christmas lurgy reappeared. As we ventured on to the A338, the weather really felt as if it was setting in, the clouds were down, visibility severely reduced, what were we doing! However the 6 of us carried on and picked our way through the Downs villages until we came to Stanmore, passed through it and arrived at the left turn to Lilley, well that was what the GPS said, on the ground it was a track designated as a footpath . So we retraced our steps and followed the signposted road to Lilley and emerged on the Newbury road exactly where we should have! We all decided we'd skip a coffee stop, Richard needed to get back as quickly as possible so Simon and he belted back to Grove. The rest of us set off at a more sedate pace and had almost reached the first Farnborough turn before the dreaded words from John "I think I've got a puncture". It turned out to be a slow puncture, so John decided he'd check it again just before the descent. Just before that point, David needed to change his light battery, so we paused, John put some more air in his tyre and set off whilst Alan adjusted his brakes. So then there were 3.... but we met up with John again at the bottom of Chain Hill. John then helped us pick our way through Wantage to Grove, where we said goodbye to him and then the last 3 made our way to Old Mill Hall. Despite the awful weather, the lack of scenery, the technical hitches, the good company ensured that it was the right decision to run the ride!
Distance: 44.50 km (27.65 mi)	Ride Details: http://www.strava.com/activities/236186706
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6658426"
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Tue Jan 6th 2015

Winter Evening Ride	3*

Leader: David Smith	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: UPDATE 06-01-2015 12:00 - Ride is on, outlook is chilly but we can shorten the route if necessary. Tonight heading to Uffington, Longcot, Gainfield, Charney Bassett and back to Grove via Denchworth. Quick but flat 3* ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 40km each week. The ride usually maintains a solid 3* pace on the flat; we do not 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.
Riders: David Smith David Talboys Des Higgs Katherine Boyce Peter Cowan Simon Payne Ursula Hallam Riders = 7 Weather: Report: A great ride, despite the rain earlier and the cold temperature the roads were in great condition and the traffic was light. Bit of a head wind through Baulking but nothing to tough. Fantastic views of the moon and stars too although we didn't spot the comet. Thanks to all for coming.
Distance: 43.10 km (26.78 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/3965607
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6741728"
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Tue Jan 6th 2015

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 Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Both of us feeling that a gentle cruise was appropriate tonight as the first Tuesday of the New Year. We went on the road through Wantage and out to Letcomber Regis. Then up to the Ridgeway and East along the top to Betterton. We decided that this was quite far enough and whizzed downhill then returning mostly on tarmac.
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Tue Jan 13th 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride (NEW TIME)	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 7:00 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 Talboys David Yearley Richard Anstis Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 5 Weather: Report: Shifting the time back half an hour seems to work. On this cold, windy night 5 of us were ready to roll. It was wet on the ground, but no rain on the night. The first stretch on Crab Hill was sticky and slippery, certainly hard work. We chose it because David B doesn't like it and he wasn't there, but I'm beginning to understand what he means! We went up to the Ridgeway via Goddards Brook, then along the top to Harwell campus. We only realised how much the wind was helping us when Richard A had a minor mechanical and we stopped to discover a biting wind. The whizz down was exhilarating as that one usually is. We elected not to do the bridge of doom, but returned vis Sustrans route, road and the Wantage-Grove cycle path. Cold, mud spattered, but smiling!
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Wed Jan 14th 2015

Turbo Session

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Turbo sessions are in the Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall in Grove on Wednesday evenings. The second block of 10 sessions begins on 14 January and ends on 1 April. Nb. There will be no session on 21 January or 4 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: Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Riders = 4 Report:
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Sat Jan 17th 2015

Easy Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 16-32km (10-20 miles) family and social afternoon rides, usually with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs. For our first 1* outing of the year, a flattish ride heading northwards across the Vale through Denchworth, Lyford and Southmoor to Longworth for a refreshment stop at the Blue Boar PH. Returning via Charney Bassett, a round trip of about 17 miles. We should be back in Grove well before dusk (sunset 4:30-ish), but lights may be advisable for your cycle home.
Riders: Barbara Lambers Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Bridge Joy Arthur Lorna Swanton Lorraine Chapman Nick Portsmouth Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 10 Weather: Report: A lovely sunny winter's day, attracted 10 riders despite the cold. A warm welcome to Lorraine on her first ride with us. There was still some slush (following a light snow dusting this morning) and some large puddles on the Denchworth road, so we cycled with care out to Denchworth. We stopped briefly a few times en route to Southmoor to regroup, catch our breath and take in the views, but didn't stop too long due to keep warm. As a cklub, we hadn't visited the Blue Boar for many years. It's a nice and popular pub, lovely and warm inside, but service was rather slow as they weren't used to serving so many hot chocolates! Eventually, we had to get back on the bikes. We emerged to find the sun had gone in and the temperature had dropped further - feeling distinctly wintery. We completed a tour of Longworth before returning to Southmoor over the bridge (unusually, quite a bit of mud and dislodged stones on the bridleway beside the Wagon & Horses). The climb out of the Fallowfields dip gave us a chance to warm up before the long descent to Charney. We kept cycling and continued to Denchworth before our only stop on the return leg. Despite cold toes, noses and a few cold ears, everyone enjoyed a proper winter's ride. Thanks everyone.
Distance: 28.32 km (17.60 mi)
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Sat Jan 17th 2015

Annual Club Dinner

Leader: Neil Warner	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Boars Head, Ardington
Description: The menu and price are below - please email Neil your choice of menu as soon as possible - seats are limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. 2 courses - £18.95 per head - 3 courses - £22.95 per head (Two courses can be a starter and main; or a main and dessert) Starters: Boar’s Head Pate Bowl of Home-made Soup Antipasto Platter Smoked Mackerel Pate Pile of Prawns Mains: Fresh Sea Bass Fillets, cooked with Butter, Lemon and Black Pepper Somerset Brie and Beetroot Tart (V) Chicken breast stuffed with tomato, spinach and Dolcelatte and wrapped in Pancetta Sweet Chilli Salmon Fillet Pork Medallions in a sweet cider, apple and mustard sauce (all of the above will be served with Dauphinoise Potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables) Desserts: Chocolate Fudge Cake White Chocolate and Raspberry Pannacotta Chocolate and Toffee Fudge Brownie Assorted Ice Creams
Riders: Andy Pixton Barbara Lambers Carin Tranter David Bridge David Smith John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Kerry Tucker Lorna Swanton Mandy Wassell Neil Warner Nick Dunton Nick Portsmouth Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Richard Preece Robin Tucker Simon Payne Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 23 Report: Many thanks to Neil for organising an enjoyable meal.
Proposed Route: http://www.tbhardington.co.uk/"
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Sun Jan 18th 2015

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Nick Dunton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: A figure-of-eight route of 89km 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. Hope we’re not feeling too jaded after the Club dinner the night before! 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 @ 50.5km], Clifton Hampton, Long Wittenham, Mortons, Hagbournes, Chilton, Rowstock, West Hendred, Ginge, Lockinges, Wantage. Costa. Nick Dunton 01235-848580/07774-838310
Riders: Chris Rolls David Talboys Katherine Boyce Louis Hall Nick Dunton Nick Stokell Richard Pethybridge Riders = 7 Weather: Report: Despite a gloomy weather forecast, this turned out to be a blissful ride. We had sunshine almost from the start and there was none of the threatened ice or wintery precipitation. It was chilly, sure, and roads were continuously wet with occasional standing water and muck. Conditions were vastly better than I expected, however. We avoided cycle-tracks owing to the muddy conditions: much to the scorn of the off-roaders in the group. An evenly-matched and strong peloton – plus the relatively flat route - ensured a brisk pace throughout: we were at Golden Balls before noon and back in Wantage by 2.30. No mechanicals or incidents to report.
Distance: 90.60 km (56.30 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6685347
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6685347"
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Tue Jan 20th 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride (NEW TIME)	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 7:00 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 Richard Anstis Richard Pethybridge Riders = 3 Report: We were joined tonight by Jason Hopkins, making his first appearance on a CTC Wantage Tuesday evening off road ride. Tonight's ride demonstrated what frost action can do to what were already muddy trails. Instead of tyres cutting through the mud they churned it up only for it to stick to the wheels and bikes. We started from Old Mill Hall and took the Crab Hill track to Wantage. This track is now best avoided as it was the most problematic, muddy and cloying part of the ride. A short stop was needed to make repairs and clean mud. From Charlton we rode to West Lockinge, where we lost Jason due to a massive mechanical coming together between his rear mechanism and the wheel. I guess it gave up in protest at all the mud it had thrown at it. That's going to cost! That was our cue to take the Betterton Corkscrew up to the Ridgeway, from where we headed West before dropping down through the Bitham woods and back to Wantage via Goddard's Brook. All in all it was a relatively short, but tough ride.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
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1

Written by : Robin Tucker

Posted on : January 24, 2015 at 6:04 PM

Ouch. Not sorry I missed this one!
Robin

Sat Jan 24th 2015

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

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 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Might be a struggle for new or irregular riders in winter months. Our first 2* Saturday outing of the year, and a chance to explore some of the villages and quiet lanes of the vale, before calling off at The Rookery Faringdon for tea. Distance will be at the lower end of our guidelines, but decent lights are still essential in case of delays. A couple of moderate climbs, but always at a comfortable pace for all. OMH, Letcombes, Childrey, Sparsholt, Westcot, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Fernham, Little Coxwell, Faringdon (Tea), Fernham, Baulking, Goosey, Denchworth, OMH. Approx 49 kms (30 miles)
Riders: Andy Pixton Chris Gray David Bridge David Smith Des Higgs Glen Savegar Nick Dunton Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Weather: Report: A deceptively chilly afternoon but accompanied by glorious sunshine, the vale looking really lovely in the low winter light as we wound our way towards Faringdon. After tea it was time to wrap up again and head for home, the light and temperature now fading rapidly. A slight change to the planned route due to the railway bridge closure at Uffington junction saw us return via Shellingford and Hatford. Thanks everyone! Glen S
Distance: 49.70 km (30.88 mi)
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Mon Jan 26th 2015

CTC Wantage Committee Meeting

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Regular committee meeting. Items for the agenda should be sent to the secretary at least seven days before the meeting.
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Tue Jan 27th 2015

Social Evening

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 8:00 pm	Start Location: The Fox, Denchworth
Description: Come and join us for a pint and a natter (or dinner!) - all welcome.
Riders: Chris Walters Richard Preece Riders = 2 Report:
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Tue Jan 27th 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride (NEW TIME)	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 7:00 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. Optional stop at The Fox in Denchworth at the end of the ride.
Riders: David Brown David Talboys David Yearley Nick Stokell Richard Anstis Robin Tucker Riders = 6 Weather: Report: As the nights get colder, we seem to have more people - 6 tonight! Including 3 Dave's! Maybe it was the lure of the pub. We set off just after 7 along the canal. With the later start, and the pub kitchen closing at 9 we wanted to make good time. Unfortunately Dave T's chain snagged and it took us a while to get the bent link off and a split link on. Once done, we decided to use the road up to the Ridgeway. We went to Childrey and took the B4001, but in retrospect it would not have been much longer to ride out to Sparsholt and take the little road up. Working our way to Sparsholt Field, we had our usual pub-night blast down this descent. The blocking tree is now removed. Arriving at the pub, we found Chris W and Richard P settled in by the fire with their beers. We joined them!
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Wed Jan 28th 2015

Turbo Session

Leader: Amanda Seddon	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Turbo sessions are in the Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall in Grove on Wednesday evenings. The second block of 10 sessions begins on 14 January and ends on 1 April. Nb. There will be no session on 21 January or 4 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: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Riders = 6 Report:
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Sat Jan 31st 2015

New Forest Tour	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Cadnam
Description: All-day ride through the New Forest. 80km at the easier end of 3* 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. Update 19:00 30th January - ride definitely on - wrap up warm as it'll be rather parky!
Riders: Andy Newell Chris Walters David Bridge Nick Stokell Phil Stubbings Richard Pethybridge Riders = 6 Weather: Report: We rode.
Distance: 81.00 km (50.33 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/248547717
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3635794"
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1

Written by : Richard Preece

Posted on : February 1, 2015 at 11:51 AM

Hi Chris, hope the ride went to plan. Sorry could not make it.
Richard.

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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