Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Mar 1st 2016

Spring 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 Tony Clark Riders = 4 Weather: Report: Another windy one! A strong quartet of riders battling through the wind to Stanford in the vale. A mechanical my end was sorted after a few minutes. We were doing a very good pace into the wind then we really opened up the throttle with the wind behind us from Stanford to Longworth. A cross wind made us work hard as we headed south through Southmore, Lyford and Denchworth, but it was all smiles as when we got back to OMH in time to chat with Robin and Richard at the end of their off road ride. A little faster than advertised, but all riders consented to working hard tonight. We only ride fast if all riders want to
Distance: 33.40 km (20.75 mi)
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Tue Mar 1st 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 Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Weather: Report: The wind determined our route for the night. It felt stronger than the forecast 15mph and came from the west. Hence we decided to climb to The Ridgeway (of course!) and then head west on the top, and down to come back. We rode out via Crab Hill and Betterton. Then put up the sails and were blown along the top with not much effort until Bury Hill. From there we went down the road and dow the permissive farm track, then turned left and at the end of the tarmac scrabbled up the chalky climb back to the Ridgeway. Almost immediately we went down again to Harwell. Then left and along the valley back to Wantage & Grove. All three of us were keen to do the ride, but also keen to get back to the warm. So we didn't hang around and the whole 18 miles took about 2 hours. (Plus some time faffing with lights at the start!)
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
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Wed Mar 2nd 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 8 of 10
Riders: Adrian West Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 7 Report: Amazing effort. All we did was 5 sets of 5x20-40's. 20 second sprints, 40 seconds fast recovery. We decided that all of us managing this was a result of this years turbos sessions. We are reaping our reward 😝 Big thanks to Phil for saving us from a 40s sprint when I got distracted by a phone call 😱
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Sat Mar 5th 2016

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	3*

Leader: John Tranter	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. A nice loop to the north west of our patch, using a few elements of last Saturday's 2* ride but ramping things up a bit! Out through the Vale to Uffington, across to Fernham, over the little ridge to the Coxwells, then the dramatic cut through from idyllic Coleshill down into the Thames Valley almost to Lechlade before taking the tiny lanes across to Clanfield. Tea stop either in Bampton or at Aston Pottery and then the usual route home including the tasty little climb of Buckland Hill. Around 40 miles at a good 3* pace.
Riders: Alan Gale Chris Walters David Bridge David Talboys Des Higgs John Tranter Katherine Boyce Marcus Garman Phil Ward Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Weather forecasts for the day ranged from grey and miserable through to snow. In the event, we had a fair bit of sunshine, a niggly (and very cold) northerly wind and an exciting 5 minute hail storm! A good group assembled and stayed together very well for the whole ride, joined by Phil after an heroic effort to catch us up. Thanks to Des, our resident local cake expert, we discovered another really good coffee stop - the cafe at Bampton Garden Plants. A tailwind home was just what we needed, particularly up Buckland Hill. Thanks to all for your company - a nice ride!
Distance: 59.55 km (37.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/8045097
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11906521"
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Tue Mar 8th 2016

Spring 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. Spring Night Ride
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Riders = 3 Report:
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Tue Mar 8th 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 Richard Anstis Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Three of us started, but only two of us finished. But I will award Richard the miles for effort, as he is still recovering from man-flu. We left via Crab Hill and Goddards Brook - Richard made it half way up. Then up to the Ridgeway, down Ice Valley, back up to Betterton Cross and straight down the other side, and back to Grove. Short and sweet. Or short and horrible if you were Richard.
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Wed Mar 9th 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Sara Ward	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 9 of 10
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 8 Report: We missed Nick (get well soon) but a group of the regular 'Shiny Happy People' worked with enthusiasm on a set of sprints and two longer intervals at the penultimate session of the season. Everyone is spinning well and it feels like we are ready for the road now. Thanks to all for your company this term.
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Sun Mar 13th 2016

Wiltshire Special Shrivenham-Malmesbury-Shrivenham	3*

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Shrivenham
Description: Sat pm - A couple of small corrections - Route now actually passes by 3 Trees Farm Shop! Now intending to stop for lunch in centre of Malmesbury at Summer Café. Loop ride from Shrivenham to Malmesbury, mostly on quiet country lanes. Not too many hills and most of these are in the first 25 km - main climb is the drag out of Wroughton - you may be glad that we descend at Clyffe Pypard rather than climb! Meeting place is the free public car park at Shrivenham on the left off the Highworth Road. Entrance is on Martens Road ( SU 2363 8886 ). There are no toilets there but we will programme in an early coffee stop at Chiseldon (3 Trees Farm Shop) (15 km). Then westward through Broad Hinton, Clyffe Pypard, Dauntsey, Little Somerford to Malmesbury, looping through the town to avoid the A429 for lunch at Summer Café Malmesbury (50 km). The return route is mostly along the quiet lanes of the Wiltshire Cycleway to Purton (optional tea stop at Blunsdon Station , Swindon & Cricklade Railway), then back to Shrivenham through Highworth. Usual 3* touring pace (11-14 mph) with re-grouping at the top of hills. Some of the lanes may be a little muddy/gravelly and there has been hedge trimming going on, so bring a spare inner tube, as well as lights in case of poor visibility or delays. Please let me know (text on 07582 483315, or email on nicknpbmd@aol.com) by end of Wednesday 9 March if you intend to ride so that I can give the café some idea of numbers.
Riders: Andy Pixton Chris Walters Hugh Falkner Louis Hall Lyn Taylor Nick Stokell Nicole Pethybridge Riders = 7 Weather: Report: At last a half decent day for a club ride! Chilly to start with a slight easterly wind, but it gained a few degrees through the morning and the sun broke through after lunch. A loop from Shrivenham allowed a deeper foray into Wiltshire while keeping the distance comfortable for an early season ride. Hugh Falkner occasional CTC rider (normally a serious distance man!) joined us. Predictably the hard men - Chris, Hugh and Louis - arrived on two wheels! After a chilly start through southwards from Bourton the undulations from Hinton Parva onwards were a chance to warm up the legs. After a very welcome refuelling stop at 3 Trees Farm Shop at Chiseldon we made good progress through Wroughton then up the long climb towards the Science Museum Hangar. Once we left the main road at Broad Hinton we could enjoy the quiet lanes of East Wiltshire. At the glorious descent at Clyffe Pypard, rural Wiltshire opened up in front of us. Arriving at the Summer Café at Malmesbury I was a little concerned - a stack of bikes leant against the wall and the café was heaving. However, having parked the bikes securely in the back courtyard, seats inside started to appear and the excellent food arrived reasonably quickly. As we left, despite the café now being quite empty, the stack of bikes at the front was still there (?). The sun was now shining as we headed back along the lanes and up the grind to Purton. There were no takers for tea at Blunsdon Station so we swept on through Highworth and back to Shrivenham. Thank you to everyone for a most enjoyable day out. A special thanks to Andy who swept all day and had agreed to step in and lead in if my cough had not sufficiently recovered. Plenty of potholes but no punctures or mechanicals!
Distance: 88.00 km (54.68 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/8140945
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12554961"
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Mon Mar 14th 2016

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.
Riders: John Talbot John Tranter Karen Townsin Nicole Pethybridge Richard Preece Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 7 Report:
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Tue Mar 15th 2016

Spring 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 Riders = 4 Weather: Report: A shorter one tonight as the ride leader was feling a bit under the weather
Distance: 30.30 km (18.83 mi)
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Tue Mar 15th 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: Due to illness and other commitments I was the only rider tonight. I therefore opted for a short and sharp, but clean and dry, ride around local tracks and paths. This included a short spell on the Ridgeway between the top of Castle Hill above Letcombe Regis and Manor Road.
Distance: 21.00 km (13.05 mi)
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Wed Mar 16th 2016

Turbo Session

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 6:45 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 10 of 10
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Des Higgs Jonty Ward Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Nick Stokell Phil Ward Riders = 8 Report: Final turbo session of the spring. Good effort everyone at 20 second sprint intervals! Now it's time for proper riding.
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Sat Mar 19th 2016

Easy Saturday Afternoon Ride from Uffington	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Uffington, Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall
Description: A change of starting point for this month's easy Saturday ride for a loop around the Western part of the Vale with a tea stop at the new cafe in Ashbury. We'll cycle through the villages of Fernham, Longcot, Watchfield, Shrivenham and Bourton before a short climb into Ashbury. We'll return to Uffington along the foot-of-the-downs road, dropping back into the Vale at Woolstone. A round trip of 17 miles all taken at a gentle 10mph. If you fancy a longer ride, why not cycle out to Uffington to join us.
Riders: Andy Belcher Bethany Tranter Brian Hipwell John Stamp John Tranter Judith Agnew Karl Blake Lorna Swanton Mavis Rose Michael Tayler Nick Portsmouth Phil Jeffery Richard Preece Stephanie Haddrell Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Tony Clark Riders = 18 Weather: Report: Fantastic turnout of 18 riders for our "awayday" ride from Uffington on what was a chilly, overcast March day. About half took advantage of the 2pm start to cycle over from Wantage, Grove or Lambourn. The short climb into Fernham helped to warm us all up and we enjoyed a tailwind on our way to Longcot. There were good views too of the White Horse between Fernham and Longcot, and then of the wind turbines as we cycled into Watchfield. We had a brief stop in Shrivenham to catch our breath and met a potential new rider. The quiet but picturesque village of Bourton was new to many - it has the feel of a Cotswold village hidden in the vale of White horse. Everyone made the climb up into Ashbury and we were soon filling the Jam Jar cafe in the new village shop. The cafe coped with us admirably and the Lemon Drizzle cake is recommended. Thanks to Adrian for recommending and booking it for us. Several riders went their own way from Ashbury, and it was a smaller group of 13 that headed back along the foot of the Downs road. As is often the case, it felt decidedly colder after our tea stop and there was a chilly headwind to contend with too. The steep descent into Woolstone was taken with care and we were soon back into Uffington. Thanks everyone for a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12356099"
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Sun Mar 20th 2016

Regular Wantage Ride	2*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: As no-one's available to lead the usual all day ride this month, a shorter 2-paced morning ride instead. So in keeping with the 2 guidelines, 45-55km (30-40 miles) morning ride, with a coffee stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). A couple of climbs, a longer drag (to Buckland) and some nice descents too... We'll be heading to Aston Pottery for coffee, to meet up with the Oxford City Group. We'll ride back with them to Denchworth, where they are stopping for lunch at the Fox. David Green, who occasionally rides with Wantage will be leading the Oxford group.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Joy Arthur Karl Blake Robin Tucker Steve Swanton Riders = 5 Weather: Report:
Distance: 59.55 km (37.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12594716"
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Tue Mar 22nd 2016

Spring 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. .
Riders: Adrian West David Talboys Joy Arthur Tony Clark Riders = 4 Weather: Report: Another good ride lead by Dave
Distance: 38.90 km (24.17 mi)
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Tue Mar 22nd 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 Brown John Davies Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Weather: Report: It must be Spring now - John D has returned to the rides It was also very dry, apart from a few deeper puddles in various places. And we had a glorious full moon, which gave us the chance to do some 'lights out' riding on the Ridgeway. The sky being clear, temperatures fell from about 10C at the start to just about 0C at the bottom of Ginge. Our route was out via Crab Hill and up Lark Hill. Then over the road and up the field near Manor Road. From there we were on the Ridgeway until GInge, where we dropped down the firm but very bumpy track. Then back via road, cycle path and Crab Hill.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
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Sat Mar 26th 2016

CANCELLED - Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	2*

Leader: David Bridge	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED Due to the forecast of high winds and heavy rain which doesn't look to improve. I will probably run the same or similar route in a few months time. Straightforward ride to Aston Pottery via Standlake. Return via Buckland and charney Basset. One moderate climb.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/2374926"
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Tue Mar 29th 2016

Spring 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 Joy Arthur Tony Clark Riders = 4 Weather: Report: The final Spring Night Ride of 2016. See you again in the autumn.
Distance: 26.60 km (16.53 mi)
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Tue Mar 29th 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: Maybe the rain put people off as there were just 2 of us tonight. However, it stopped raining just before we set off and the sun came out as we climbed up to the Ridgeway. It was quite a cold sun though, low in the sky and the rain had cooled everything down. Yes somehow we managed to raise quite a sweat! Out via Crab Hill and Betterton. Then down the back of the Ridgeway, along the road to West Ilsley and climb back up near the A34. From there it was a damp, slightly uphill slog to the top of the Harwell descent. The descent was great - a but sketchy due to the wet ground though. We continued north past the Harwell site then picked up the NCN and decided we were up for a third climb up the Ridgeway, on zig-zag hill. That earned us the descent at Betterton, and also we decided to avoid the Crab Hill mud on the way home and stick to the cycle paths and roads.
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 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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