Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Feb 2nd 2016

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Adrian West	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Flat 2 ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 30-40km 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. A longer 42km ride tonight ridden at a comfortable 2* pace . We will ride to accommodate the slowest rider and all are welcome. I will make a decision on cancelling the ride or not by 1pm on tuesday due to potentially strong winds being forecast. UPDATE: Ride is still on, however route may be cut short if wind persists or makes it unpleasant.
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Joy Arthur Riders = 4 Weather: Report: A longer ride than usual and very enjoyable. Weather was very kind to us tonight and the wind hardly a bother, only making us work a little harder on the final stretch of the A338 into Grove.
Distance: 41.20 km (25.60 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/500711204
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11943886"
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Tue Feb 2nd 2016

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 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 Yearley Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Only two of us, despite relative dryness. As a result we went a bit further than usual. Out via Crab Hill, Lark Hill then right and up alongside Manor Road. East on the Ridgeway, down Green Giant and back up, down Ice Valley and up to Betterton Cross. We then decided it was worth adding a few miles to go down at Harwell. So we did. Then back at low-level trying to hide from the headwind.
Distance: 33.80 km (21.00 mi)
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Wed Feb 3rd 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Phil Ward	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 4th of 10
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Jon Townsin Nick Portsmouth Nick Stokell Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 8 Report: Slightly down on our usual numbers, eight set off on a musical trip around the World. A series of increasingly hard steady state efforts got the blood pumping and lead to a tough over/under threshold interval. We concluded our journey with a set of spin ups, which were fiercely contested and brought a terrific evening of training to a breathless end. Well done all, that was quite a ride.
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Sat Feb 6th 2016

CANCELLED - Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	3*

Leader: David Smith	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: UPDATE 06/02/2016 09:40 - Sorry folks but after discussion we have decided to cancel todays ride due to the forecast highwinds. UPDATE 05/02/2016 13:05 - I'm sure you have all been looking at tomorrow’s weather forecast with increasing interest and it does look very wet & windy for the afternoon. I am intending to run the ride, but may decide on a shorter route. I haven't been to the new cafe at Hilliers garden Centre in Hermitage yet, so today seemed like a good opportunity. From Grove to Letcombe Regis, up Court Hill and over to Brighwalton, Peasemore, Chieveley and Hermitage. Back via Hampstead Norreys, Compton, the Ilsley's, down Chain Hill and back to Grove. Please bring suitable lights.
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11989913"
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Tue Feb 9th 2016

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Flat 2 ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 30-40km 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. Route TBC
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Riders = 3 Weather: Report: A very hard ride tonight with a strong headwind for much of the ride. Winter training fitness pulled off with us getting our heads down and battling through it. Once at Longcot the wind was behind us and we did a fairly good speed back to Grove.
Distance: 39.50 km (24.54 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/489808186
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Tue Feb 9th 2016

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	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 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 Yearley Richard Pethybridge Riders = 3 Report: The afternoon's rain managed to keep the tracks nice and soft, but this didn't put off the three of us who turned up for tonight's ride. We started out via the road to Wantage, then followed the Willow Lane and the path to Letcombe Regis. From there, we proceeded to Letcombe Bassett and the climb up to the Ridgeway by Smiths Hill. We now had the wind on our backs as we took the Ridgeway eastwards, dropping down the Jolly Green Giant and climbing back up again via Bitham Wood. The wind helped us again as we carried on eastwards to Scutchamer's Knob, including a jaunt on the singletrack through Scutchamer's Plantation. We then dropped down to Harwell campus and back to Wantage via East Ginge, Betterton, East Lockinge and Charlton.
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
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Wed Feb 10th 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 5th of 10
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Nick Stokell Richard Preece Riders = 6 Report: Depleted numbers this week but another good session with plenty of perspiration. Well done!
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Tue Feb 16th 2016

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Adrian West	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Flat 2 ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 30-40km 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.
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Joy Arthur Tony Clark Riders = 5 Weather: Report: The usual 5 riders on quite a pleasant evening with low wind speeds for a change. We did quite a fast pace over the longest Winter night ride this season at 43km. I decided once we all were gathered on a route with hills this week albeit not massive. I think everyone enjoyed it
Distance: 43.00 km (26.72 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/ctc-wantage-winter-night-ride-495112994
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Tue Feb 16th 2016

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 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 Yearley Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Two of us and we rode up Betterton to the Ridgeway and then decided to go a bit further. So we went down the other side, and up again. It got claggy towards the top, so we turned left and zipped downwards to West Ilsley. Then up to the Ridgeway, under the A34 and down the less-muddy track to the Bury Hill roundabouts. From there we took the permissive route down to the edge of Harwell, rode past the campus and took the Sustrans route back to Wantage and Grove.
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
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Wed Feb 17th 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 6th of 10
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jon Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Stokell Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 9 Report:
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Sat Feb 20th 2016

Easy Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	1*

Leader: David Bridge	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. Grove to the Blue Boar Longworth via Denchwoth, Lyford and Southmoor. Return via Pusey and Charney Basset. Probably wise to bring lights though hopefully we won't need them. We will try to keep the speed to 10mph or below. The pub should be OK for most types of drinks but may not do cakes.
Riders: Adrian West David Bridge David Talboys Des Higgs Karl Blake Nick Portsmouth Steve Swanton Riders = 7 Report: Despite the weather 7 of us turned up and started out in seriously wet and windy weather. We got to the Blue Boar before 2:00 being very glad to find us to have a pub with a fireplace even though, as expected, there were no cakes on offer. Tea, coffee and cider were. We were in no great rush to leave but still followed the planned route back through the wet. Fortunately the wind was behind us most of the way. Adrian and Des left us for home at Gainfield.
Distance: 33.00 km (20.51 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12103606
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12103606"
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Sun Feb 21st 2016

CANCELLED - Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: UPDATE 0700 SUN - RIDE CANCELLED DUE TO WIND - JUDGED TOO WINDY EVEN FOR A LOW LEVEL ROUTE IN THE VALE PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE AT 0800 ON SUNDAY AS IT IS AGAIN LOOKING WINDY Slightly modified version of November's cancelled ride, riding South to Ramsbury (possible coffee stop at Bella's if we are quick (closes at 1100)) then through quiet lanes to Chiseldon for lunch at Three Trees Farm Café . Relatively hilly on the way out and some steepish (but short) sections at Badbury Clumps and Fawler to test out tired legs. There are options to shorten the return route if the weather is particularly grim or we are running late; nevertheless at this time of year lights should be carried. The envisaged route is: Wantage - Letcombes - Lambourn - Ramsbury - Ogbourne St George - Chiseldon - Liddington - Wanborough - Shrivenham - Coleshill - Faringdon - Fernham - Uffington - Kingston Lisle - Wantage Usual 3* 20 km/h touring pace, should see us back in Wantage by 1600. (To contact me: Mobile as above or nicknpbmd@aol.com)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12095110"
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Mon Feb 22nd 2016

Ride Leader Planning Meeting

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Annual meeting for ride leaders to discuss and plan the coming season's ride programme.
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Tue Feb 23rd 2016

Winter Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Talboys	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Flat 2 ride in the Vale for 1.5 to 2 hours covering around 30-40km 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. Route TBC
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Joy Arthur Tony Clark Riders = 4 Weather: Report: A brisk and pleasant ride lead by Dave tonight. All went very well and was very enjoyable
Distance: 41.70 km (25.91 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/500711204
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Tue Feb 23rd 2016

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	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 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. 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 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 Yearley Riders = 1 Report: I was on my own tonight, as the rest of the regular crew were otherwise engaged in various activities including skiing in Austria, working late in London and recovering from 'flu. I therefore thought that I would do a reasonably gentle, but mildly epic 50 km. This started out with the road from Old Mill Hall, Grove out to Ardington via Grove Park Drive. From there I picked up the track to East Lockinge then eastwards to the Ginge Brook trail. This was a little muddy, and made for some entertaining climbing, even if I was the only one to be amused! From East Ginge I climbed to the Ridgeway, and then headed Westwards with the rising moon, glowing large and orange, to my back. From there my plan was to head along the Ridgeway beyond Sparsholt Firs, but I only got as far as the top of Goddard's Road (junction with Chain Hill) before my rear mechanism decided to jump into my spokes. This broke two spokes and snapped the cage around the jockey wheels, spitting the chain off the wheels. This was at the 19.5km point, so instead of another 30 km I was faced with a four mile walk home. Maybe I'll opt for skiing next week.
Distance: 25.00 km (15.53 mi)
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Wed Feb 24th 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 7 of 10
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Nick Stokell Phil Ward Richard Preece Riders = 9 Report: Apologies to all for the late addition of the riders. Hopefully all stats back on track !
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Sat Feb 27th 2016

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Ursula Hallam	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. A regular 2* route to Faringdon for tea and cake. Spring is all around us already, don't let it pass you by. Out via the Letcombes, Kingstone Lisle, Uffington and the grand old barn at Great Coxwell. Back via Shellingford, Hatford, Charney Basset and Denchworth. Lights please for grey weather or unexpected delays.
Riders: Adrian West Brian Hipwell Chris Gray Chris Walters David Bridge David Smith Des Higgs John Groves John Tranter Karl Blake Nick Dunton Phil Ward Sara Ward Tony Clark Ursula Hallam Riders = 15 Weather: Report: A strong turnout for this nippy but dry February day - 15 in total gathered at OMH. The energetic warm-up on Holborn Hill unfortunately ended in two of our number leaving us due to broken spoke and dodgy chain mechanicals - pub and rugby likely being their solace. Continuing along the spring line road and through the villages of Kingston Lisle and Uffington, Faringdon folly was soon spotted along with kites, buzzards, sparrowhawks, daffs and snowdrops. Good to be out, no matter the nip in the air. A few gentle hills saw us at the grand old barn with the last hill taking us to the Highworth road. Fancying a 'new' tea stop I handed over the reins at this point to Des to get us there - thanks Des. The Quad tea & coffee rooms supplied ample teas & coffees and, a first for me, chocolate scones! Back on the road, the return route into the wind was fresh but not too difficult to maintain a steady 2* pace. With everyone either headed for home or safely back at OMH, it remains only to thank team sweeps, Phil, John T and David S. Thanks to everyone for turning out.
Distance: 51.00 km (31.69 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12305930"
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Written by : Karl Blake

Posted on : February 27, 2016 at 9:48 PM

Great first 2* ride ( difficulty on the hills for me ! )
Big thanks to John Tranter for slip streaming me all the way back :)
Many thanks to all riders today for their support :)

Written by : John Tranter

Posted on : February 28, 2016 at 10:00 PM

Thanks, Ursula. Really good ride. Rosehip and rhubarb sponge cake was a first for me as well!

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