Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Feb 3rd 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	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: Allen Stacey Richard Anstis Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Weather: Report: Snow had fallen the night before and there was still some on the ground - always a treat! No Davids at all on this ride though. We took the road/cyclepath to Wantage then up Goddards Brook. Here we crunched on to the first snow of the ride. By the time we were on the Ridgeway there was plenty - an inch or two deep. It was a clear night with a full moon, so we turned our lights off. With the bright moon and the snow on the ground we had good visibility of the smoother parts of the Ridgeway and we rode for an amazing 2 or 3 miles in the dark, quiet apart from the gentle crunching of snow. Arriving at Scutchhamer's Knob, I realised i had a puncture. Perhaps more significantly, there was no sign of Allen or Richard A. I set about fixing my tyre while Richard P returned to the others. My tyre was fixe about a minute before the returned, with Richard A walking with a 'terminal mechanical'. He thought his bottom bracket had failed, but the reality was even stranger. A chainring bolt come come loose and wedged itself in the front mech mount is some bizarre circumstance. Another chainring bolt was loose and caught this every revolution (except you couldn't make revolutions). We managed to tighten the loose one, but no matter what we tried, we couldn't free the bolt stuck in the mount. However, it wasn't catching much now so Richard A went down the hill and eased himself home. It was now well below freezing and the other 3 of us went on and down Harwell Hill. Returning to the road near Hendred, Richard P found some ice and went down. Nothing broken, but I'm sure he has a bruise today! Ironic that the road should be a more hazardous surface than the off-road. We made our way gingerly back to Grove without further incident.
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
Mountain bike in the moonlight Feb 2015 Hardcore bike maintenance, in the snow, Feb 2015
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Wed Feb 4th 2015

Turbo Session

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 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 21 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: David Talboys Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Riders = 4 Report:
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Sat Feb 7th 2015

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Richard Pethybridge	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 60-70km (38-45 miles) afternoon ride, with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Likely to visit distant destinations. Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. Standard 3* 40 mile winter ride with tea/coffee stop at the Aston Pottery. Bring lights in case we get delayed en route. Update on ride status will be posted Saturday by 1130 in case of poor weather or ice. Saturday update: Despite a late night after England's magnificent victory in Cardiff this ride will still be going ahead. Weather doesn't look great so wrap up warm and prepare for the odd shower!
Riders: Chris Walters David Smith David Talboys Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Richard Pethybridge Simon Payne Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Report: A rather grey and dull afternoon greeted this group of intrepid riders, but nothing a bit of determination and some orange tinted sunglasses couldn't solve. A fairly steady pace saw the group end up at the Aston Pottery in just the right state of preparation for a well deserved cake and refreshing beverage. The two-thirds one-third split of the ride worked well and after summiting the top of Buckland hill a slightly faster pace saw the group get back to Grove before dark. The total distance was pleasingly a fraction above 40 miles for those of us luddites who haven't moved into SI units and who have margin OCD in this area - at least we didn't have to ride around the car park to make up the distance
Distance: 64.45 km (40.05 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4070806
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6912960"
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Sun Feb 8th 2015

Flapjack - 102km Audax	3*

Leader: John Talbot	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Chippenham
Description: THIS RIDE IS NOW FULL AND THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY. 102km cycling event starting from Chippenham. Controls at Brinkworth., Kemble. and Sherston. , plus 4 information controls. Food and drink available at the four village controls. Enjoy a 'well-fed event' and leave heavier than you start. Further Details and Entry
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Tue Feb 10th 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	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: Allen Stacey David Brown David Yearley Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 5 Weather: Report: I hadn't rained, but the frost had come and gone leaving the Ridgeway mud in a sticky mess. So, we kept the route fairly short and used a fair bit of tarmac. Cyclepath to Wantage, then up Lark Hill for a change, across west and up Manor Hill. Then we worked our way east on the Ridgeway. It was distinctly harder going than in the snow the week before! Still, the Betterton descent was fast and fun! We then headed back to Wantage and Grove via roads and cycle paths.
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Wed Feb 11th 2015

Turbo Session

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 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 Katherine Boyce Louis Hall Nick Portsmouth Riders = 6 Report:
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Sun Feb 15th 2015

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: NB: REVISED START POINT OF OLD MILL HALL (easier for parking and for route logistics) Given the wintry conditions and the likely state of the roads (not to mention the ride leader...), this will be at the easy end of 3*. An ideal ride to get the legs moving again after a long winter! We head across the Vale through Uffington to the Coxwells and then up and over the scenic ridge via Coleshill to drop down into the Thames valley. We flirt with the edge of Lechlade before striking east across the tiny lanes to Clanfield. Lunch stop at the Aston Pottery (they start serving at 12, which should be about right), before the well worn path home up Buckland Hill and back via Charney Bassett. 40 miles / 65km at a steady pace of around 13mph / 20kph. Planning to back in Grove fairly early - between 2 and 3pm.
Riders: Andy Pixton Barry Gills Brian Hipwell Chris Rolls David Talboys Des Higgs John Tranter Katherine Boyce Nick Dunton Nick Portsmouth Nicole Pethybridge Riders = 11 Weather: Report: An encouragingly large group met up under grey skies. Nick P was doing his first 3* ride (and proceeded to do it very excellently). We made good time to the edge of Lechlade and then took a group decision to modify the programme, given the rumours of a good new coffee shop in the town. Sure enough, Lynwood's Cafe was very good indeed, and we called that a brunch stop! Ride leaders please note - definitely a place to use again. We then proceeded as planned across to Clanfield, Bampton and Aston, risked the infamous Great Brook Road (extensively dredged and definitely not flooded this year), bashed up Buckland Hill and got back to Grove without incident. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable winter ride.
Distance: 67.59 km (42.00 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4104939
the newly discovered cafe!
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6955890"
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Tue Feb 17th 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: David Brown	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. Please let me know if you intend to ride as there is a chance I may need to cancel at short notice.
Riders: Allen Stacey David Brown David Talboys Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Only three of us tonight. In light of the rain yesterday we opted to follow Allen's route suggestion of the more well drained trails to avoid the really sticky and slippy mud. A good choice, and we managed a decent ride of over 20 miles at a good pace.
Distance: 33.80 km (21.00 mi)
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Wed Feb 18th 2015

Turbo Session

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 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: David Talboys Des Higgs Katherine Boyce Riders = 3 Report:
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Sat Feb 21st 2015

Easy Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: Steve Boreham	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. This month we will head out via Denchworth, to Goosey, Baulking, Fernham, Shellingford, Hatford, before tea at Standford in the Vale (trying out a new tea venue!). Then the shorter hop back via Park Lane and Denchworth. Sunshine on order
Riders: Adrian West Andy Belcher Barbara Lambers Bethany Tranter Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter Carrie Kembleton David Bridge John Stamp John Tranter Lorna Swanton Nick Portsmouth Richard Kembleton Simon Payne Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Vicky Fox Vyvyan Hazell Riders = 18 Weather: Report: Wonderful turn out of 18 riders (plus buggy with "new model" in tow). For safety and "management" reasons, it was decided to split into two groups of 9. John Tr very kindly taking up the mantle to lead the second group. Nice sunny day, although maybe a bit cold (On typing this the next day it is cold wet and miserable so turns out we picked the right day!) At the start, had to phone ahead to the Huddle, a new tea stop, to advise numbers & ETA. Lady at the café was pleasantly "shocked" when I said how many riders... From the front group, Steve & Lorna took short cut to the tea stop, the rest of us, leader has to confess, were pushing the 1* remit a little, (route extended slightly via Uffington due to a closed bridge) in order not to get to the café too late, taking a short cut to Stanford to save time (leader worried café would want to close!). Turns out the second group pushed the pace as well for the same reason. Nice long tea stop, an excellent new venue. Some riders left first to get back, the remaining 11 or so of us doing the short 5 or 6 mile route back, definitely at true one star pace! Thank you everybody for a great ride, to John Tr for leading as well, and to the backmarkers - stirling efforts all round.
Distance: 33.80 km (21.00 mi)	Ride Details: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4130340
Tranters preparing to ride! A particularly young member setting off after tea! 1* ride in winter sun. that trailer is very cool!
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Tue Feb 24th 2015

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	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 Pethybridge Riders = 2 Report: Tonight's ride saw just two riders who were able to face what were really quite strong head winds for much of the ride. From Old Mill Hall we headed out on the canal path from Grove to East Challow, then up and over Windmill Hill to Letcombe Regis. We then headed to Letcombe Bassett along the road, before turning uphill to the Ridgeway via Gramp's Hill. Once atop the Ridgeway we headed Westwards through slippery mud and against the wind to the Sparsholt Field downhill. This track was an excellent downhill, with some "interesting" spots involving slippery mud and puddles. From the B4507, we followed the road through Westcott and Sparsholt to Childrey, and then took the track to West Challow and the road the The Fox at Denchworth for dinner and drinks. If you enjoy or would like to experience a good cardio-vascular workout with the added attraction of mud then please do join us next week!
Distance: 28.50 km (17.71 mi)
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Tue Feb 24th 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 - all welcome.
Riders: Adrian West Chris Walters John Talbot Richard Preece Tracey Talbot Riders = 5 Report:
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Wed Feb 25th 2015

Turbo Session

Leader: Andy Pixton	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 Andy Pixton Des Higgs Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Riders = 5 Report:
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Sat Feb 28th 2015

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A change of plan - we'll be heading to the Thowing Buns cafe in Abingdon instead of Aston Pottery. The main ride will be at the shorter end of 2* to cater for those who haven't ridden regularly over winter (this would also suit those who regularly ride 1* Saturday rides and would like to try an easier 2*) but there will also be a longer optional loop for those who would like to go a little bit further. Out via Charney Bassett, Fyfield, Tubney and Cothill with a direct route to tea via Shippon; the longer loop will be via Sunningwell, Radley, Thrupp Lane and NCN route 5 passing Radley Lakes. We'll return via Peep-o-Day lane, Drayton, Steventon and East Hanney. Distances of 25 or 30 miles. 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.
Riders: Andy Belcher Barry Gills Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Judith Agnew Mavis Rose Nicole Pethybridge Phil Jeffery Richard Preece Richard Saunders Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Val Smith Riders = 15 Weather: Report: We were lucky enough to enjoy a dry ride. Full report to come.
Distance: 40.00 km (24.85 mi)
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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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