Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

We send details of upcoming rides in a weekly email newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact [javascript protected email address].

Collapse all | Expand all

Tue Nov 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: John Davies Patrick Leavey Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Weather: Report:
Distance: 27.70 km (17.21 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11749691
Comment on this ride

Wed Nov 2nd 2016

Turbo Training

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: As another fantastic outdoor season draws to a close you may be turning your thoughts to how you can maintain, or at least not lose all, the cycle fitness you have built up over the spring and summer. Well look no further than indoor winter turbo training. What do you need? A bicycle, a turbo trainer - a device that enables you to ride your bike, stationary, indoors. Turbo trainers, or turbos as they are commonly known, clamp around the quick release skewer of a bike’s rear wheel suspending it in an A-frame. The club has 2 turbos that can be loaned to members. Where and When do they take place? Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall. 10 sessions from Wednesday 5th October to Wednesday 14th December inclusive (NB No session Wednesday 9th November). What are the sessions like? Run by club ride leaders, rather like a spin class, with music and an hour long routine which involves a warm up, a series of intervals focusing on sprinting or climbing with rest periods in between, then always close with a warm down. Is there a club star (*) rating? No. The beauty of turbo training is that you work as hard as you feel you are able. In this way, all riders, regardless of how strong they are, can ride and train together. What does it cost? We ask for a small donation to cover the cost of hiring a room - last year this was £20 for 10 sessions for those riders signed up for all 10 sessions. If you would rather drop in for one of two sessions we ask for a donation of £4 per session. What to do next. If you are interested, or want to find out more, please contact Karen Townsin (karen.townsin@acintya.co.uk, 07768 066413 ).
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 10 Report: Amazing how many different sessions we're managing to find. We enjoyed tonight's so much we're going to do it all again in a few weeks!
Comment on this ride

Sat Nov 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. UPDATE 30 Oct: giving some thought to the timing, given the clock change - I will prepare a couple of options, either to miss out the tea stop altogether, or to stop nearer home at the Saddleback cafe. On the day, we'll decide which option best suits the group and the weather. Going down south for this one. Through Wantage, up Chain Hill and then the rollercoaster road along to East Ilsley. Then we work around the lanes to Beedon and the slightly ominous sounding World's End before a coffee stop at Hillier's Garden Centre near Hermitage. We will then head west through Chieveley and over the atmospheric 'Winterbourne Alp' road to Boxford. Then north up to Brightwalton, across to Fawley before a final fun descent of Court Hill to Letcombe Regis and home.
Riders: Chris Walters David Smith David Talboys Jo Little John Davies John Groves John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Lyn Taylor Martin Purling Richard Saunders Ursula Hallam Riders = 14 Weather: Report: As is so often the case, an encouraging number of people braved chilly temperatures and a stiff north wind to get out on their bikes. We were rewarded with some nice wind assisted riding in the first half of the ride and then a little sunshine to make the headwind second half a little more bearable. Beautiful autumn colours, particularly around Boxford and Brightwalton. We even had time for a tea stop at the cafe at the Court Hill Centre - highly recommended, particularly for their life saving wood burning fire! Thanks to everyone for a great ride.
Distance: 57.94 km (36.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11797631
Autumn sunshine near Wooley Autumn sunshine near Wooley Autumn sunshine near Wooley Autumn sunshine near Wooley
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17406833"
Comment on this ride

Tue Nov 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: Patrick Leavey Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: The forecast for rain put some people off, but in the event we only suffered mild drizzle on the ride. We did however keep the ride fairly short, and didn't wait around much, so we were done by 8pm. We went out on Crab Hill, then headed into Ardington, up the hill, through some cheeky woods, and up the Betterton climb. Having achieved our first main goal of getting up to the Ridgeway, we decided not to wait too long before getting down off it. So we went west and down Bitham Woods and Goddards Brook. Back into Wantage on the cycle path, then Patrick headed into town, and I headed up the path to Grove. From next week, we'll start from the Nelson in Wantage to avoid the increasingly slippery Crab Hill.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
Comment on this ride

Tue Nov 15th 2016

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Richard Pethybridge	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
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. For the winter, when there are other rides to start off with, and when Crab Hill is wet and slippery, we'll start from outside the Lord Nelson Pub in Wantage.
Riders: David Brown John Davies Nick Stokell Patrick Leavey Richard Pethybridge Riders = 5 Weather: Report: 5 - a recent record, despite the wet and muddy conditions. 1 puncture (Patrick, opted to go home rather than repair), 1 snapped mech hanger (John Davies). Lots of mud.
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11984457
Comment on this ride

Wed Nov 16th 2016

Turbo Training

Leader: Phil Ward	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: As another fantastic outdoor season draws to a close you may be turning your thoughts to how you can maintain, or at least not lose all, the cycle fitness you have built up over the spring and summer. Well look no further than indoor winter turbo training. What do you need? A bicycle, a turbo trainer - a device that enables you to ride your bike, stationary, indoors. Turbo trainers, or turbos as they are commonly known, clamp around the quick release skewer of a bike’s rear wheel suspending it in an A-frame. The club has 2 turbos that can be loaned to members. Where and When do they take place? Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall. 10 sessions from Wednesday 5th October to Wednesday 14th December inclusive (NB No session Wednesday 9th November). What are the sessions like? Run by club ride leaders, rather like a spin class, with music and an hour long routine which involves a warm up, a series of intervals focusing on sprinting or climbing with rest periods in between, then always close with a warm down. Is there a club star (*) rating? No. The beauty of turbo training is that you work as hard as you feel you are able. In this way, all riders, regardless of how strong they are, can ride and train together. What does it cost? We ask for a small donation to cover the cost of hiring a room - last year this was £20 for 10 sessions for those riders signed up for all 10 sessions. If you would rather drop in for one of two sessions we ask for a donation of £4 per session. What to do next. If you are interested, or want to find out more, please contact Karen Townsin (karen.townsin@acintya.co.uk, 07768 066413 ).
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Jane John Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Richard Saunders Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 8 Report: A terrific effort by the assembled posse. Great to see such commitment in completing the intervals as planned - well done. Hopefully the legs won't be too sore tomorrow, but a little stretching or a light recovery ride would help in that respect.
Comment on this ride

Sat Nov 19th 2016

Easy Saturday Afternoon Ride - Abingdon Special	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: Culham Lock car park, OX14 4NE
Description: To add variety to our easy rides programme, this month a ride in the area around Abingdon. We'll start from the small car park just on the north side of Culham Lock - please beware of height restriction barrier at the entrance. We'll cycle into Abingdon and join NCN 5 by the Guldhall (possible pickup at 1:20pm from Abbey Meadows car park - let me know), out to Radley Lakes. We'll be following a route used regularly for the Abingdon Spring Cycling Festival through Radley and Sunningwell, with an extra loop out to Cothill and Gozzard's Ford. We'll return to the centre of Abingdon by a back route and stop there for tea. The final leg will be on NCN5 again along Peep-o-day Lane to Sutton Courtenay and back to Culham. The total distance is just under 18 miles. If you fancy a longer ride, why not cycle over to join us. Note that over the winter the easy rides will start at 1pm. Lights are recommended as it gets dark surprisingly early at this time of year.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Christine Ashdown David Bridge John Tranter Lorna Swanton Michael Tayler Naomi Merritt Nick Portsmouth Nicky Clark Sheena Arnold Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Tony Ashdown Riders = 14 Weather: Report: An excellent turnout of 14 riders on a cold November afternoon for our 1* Abingdon Special. Fortunately, there was some autumn sunshine as we set off through Culham village and into Abingdon. After the slightly awkward crossing of Stert street by the Guildhall, we picked up NCN5 through Abbey Close and out along the Thames. After crossing back over the river, the Sustrans route follows the trackbed of the old Abingdon branch. The surface has become a little rough and at one point was a little muddy from accumulated leaf litter, but generally ok and this still remains a lovely way out of Abingdon. We soon reached Radley Lakes and had a brief stop by the viewpoint to see the birdlife – it was notable to see cormorants sitting on one of the low islands not far from the shore. We continued on-road along Thrupp lane and then through Radley village. Just before Kennington we turned into Sugworth Lane for the longest climb of the day, taking us around the edge of Bagley Wood and up and over the A34. We had a rest to catch our breadth at the top. Shortly after this Steve B joined us, as we continued on and down into Sunningwell. This is my favourite part of the route with lovely views across to Boars Hill to the north. You’d hardly know we were only a mile north of Abingdon. By now the sun had disappeared and there was a distinct chill in the air, so we did not linger on our tour around the perimeter of Abingdon airfield (though Whitecross, Cothill, Gozzards Ford and Shippon). Back in Abingdon, we followed a quiet route through Albert Park into the Town Centre. The Lounge Cafe in Bath Street, which had been recommended to us by Judith and Phil Jeffery, was conveniently at hand. They weren’t busy and were able to accommodate all of us without any prior warning. We all appreciated the opportunity to warm up. It proved an excellent and efficient tea stop; they served us quickly and it was good value too. But in November, the days are short and we could not linger too long. We left Abingdon following the Thames along NCN5, passing the marina and then joining Peep-O-Day Lane, which brought us out onto the road between Drayton and Sutton Courtenay. We continued along the shared-use path, rejoining the road as we came into Sutton Courtenay. An atmospheric ride through the village soon brought us back over the Thames to Culham and the end of the ride, a few minutes after 4pm. Thanks everyone for a very pleasant afternoon. Thanks too to David for sweeping. The route was new to many and we will try to do the ride again sometime in Spring or Summer.
Distance: 28.65 km (17.80 mi)
A beautiful corner of Abingdon Great colours on NCN5 heading out of Abingdon A little rest by Thrupp Lake, north of Abingdon Susan by Thrupp Lake, north of Abingdon
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17184437"
Comment on this ride

Sun Nov 20th 2016

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Monthly 80-100km (50-65 miles) all-day touring ride, lunch and possibly tea stop en route, at a riding pace of 18-22km/h (11-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing almost inevitable. UPDATE FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER: slight tweak to the route and a long look at the weather forecast. At the moment its looking like we might get slightly damp in the morning and cold in the afternoon. I will post here by 8.30 on Sunday morning if the ride is not going ahead due to the weather. Being November its a good idea to stay local. So this is a wander over the downs and into the Thames valley. Lunch will be in Lechlade at the excellent Lynwood and Co. A hilly morning will be followed by a flat afternoon, with just the hill up from the Thames. Being November, you must bring lights in case of any delays or murky conditions. I am not planning on having coffee stops during the ride, with limited daylight we need the riding time but there will be an optional stop at Costa when we get back to Wantage.
Riders: Andy Pixton John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Lyn Taylor Nick Stokell Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Riders = 9 Weather: Report: It was lovely to see 8 other hardy souls gather in the market square on a morning that was seeing the tail end of a storm. Cold, wet and windy - a good excuse to stay in bed, but we were having none of it. It was a relief that the rain seemed to disappear in an instance when we reached the Ridgeway and from then on the views were glorious. Despite the winds of last week and last nights storm there was still plenty of pretty autumn colour left. We rolled over the downs with plenty of ups and sweeping descents. Jon left us close to Baydon to return home and Nicole and Richard at Shrivenham. A last major hill before lunch then down to the Thames valley and Lechlade. We had lunch at the excellent Lynwoods - a really good café stop, whether for a coffee stop or lunch. Back out to a new world - the winds had dropped and despite the forecast an increase in temperature, almost enough to think about removing layers - not that any of us did. An afternoon in which we saw some very courteous and considerate drivers and some who put both us and other drivers into considerable jeopardy. We discovered the bridge was closed at the A417 and that drivers were using the back roads between Stanford and Grove instead of the posted diversions. Luckily no carnage ensued but it was a close run thing at times. Thanks to all those that turned out and contributed to a great days riding.
Distance: 88.70 km (55.12 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/781251133
Catching our breath at the top of Hackpen Hill - in the rain! Very happy to be in the warmth of the wonderful Lynwood Cafe in Lechlade.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17425162"
Comment on this ride

Tue Nov 22nd 2016

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
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. For Winter, well start Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: Robin Tucker Riders = 1 Weather: Report: Just me, and wet on the ground, so I did a pretty minimal ride, but I did get up to The Ridgeway. Out via Ardington and up Betterton. Then West and down Jolly Green Giant and Goddards Brook.
Distance: 15.13 km (9.40 mi)
Comment on this ride

Wed Nov 23rd 2016

Turbo Training

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: As another fantastic outdoor season draws to a close you may be turning your thoughts to how you can maintain, or at least not lose all, the cycle fitness you have built up over the spring and summer. Well look no further than indoor winter turbo training. What do you need? A bicycle, a turbo trainer - a device that enables you to ride your bike, stationary, indoors. Turbo trainers, or turbos as they are commonly known, clamp around the quick release skewer of a bike’s rear wheel suspending it in an A-frame. The club has 2 turbos that can be loaned to members. Where and When do they take place? Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall. 10 sessions from Wednesday 5th October to Wednesday 14th December inclusive (NB No session Wednesday 9th November). What are the sessions like? Run by club ride leaders, rather like a spin class, with music and an hour long routine which involves a warm up, a series of intervals focusing on sprinting or climbing with rest periods in between, then always close with a warm down. Is there a club star (*) rating? No. The beauty of turbo training is that you work as hard as you feel you are able. In this way, all riders, regardless of how strong they are, can ride and train together. What does it cost? We ask for a small donation to cover the cost of hiring a room - last year this was £20 for 10 sessions for those riders signed up for all 10 sessions. If you would rather drop in for one of two sessions we ask for a donation of £4 per session. What to do next. If you are interested, or want to find out more, please contact Karen Townsin (karen.townsin@acintya.co.uk, 07768 066413 ).
Riders: David Talboys Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 7 Report:
Comment on this ride

Sat Nov 26th 2016

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Karen Townsin	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. I thought with White Horse Hill to tackle on December 11th, we ought to do some of its smaller siblings. We'll ride out through the Letcombes, up Hackpen Hill and down the other side before ascending the gentler side of the escarpment again via Seven Barrows. We'll then work our way back to Wantage through Childrey, taking the bridleway (metalled surface) to East Challow. We can then stop for coffee in Wantage knowing we only have the few kilometres back to Grove to travel in darkness/semi-darkness. We will need lights. A ride of 42km/26 miles Please note that I have amended the previously proposed route and shortened it
Riders: Barry Stanton Brian Hipwell Chris Walters David Bridge David Talboys Jo Little John Groves John Talbot John Tranter Jon Townsin Joy Arthur Karen Townsin Karl Blake Nick Dunton Nick Portsmouth Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Susie Turnbull Riders = 20 Weather: Report: Wow - for a late November ride around familiar roads I was amazed to see so many riders out. Thanks so much for your support everyone. Naturally we had to split so thanks to Jon for leading a group. Holborn, Hackpen and Seven Barrows were easily negotiated by all and we were rewarded with the lovely swop down to the Baulking Road. Deciding not to risk the road closure at Challow Station, we completed a rather long detour around Goosey and Denchworth in order to return via Childrey and the bridleway to East Challow. Riders gradually peeled off in order to fulfil other commitments, so that 10 of us arrived in time for some delicious cake at The Bay Tree Cafe. The weather had been beautiful, but once the sun disappeared, the temperature rapidly lowered, leaving just a few remaining riders to brave it back to Grove. It was just great to be out wasn't it? PS With a few late arrivals plus joiners/leavers I hope I have got all the riders. If I have missed you off the list please accept my apologies and drop me an email and I will add you. Ta.
Distance: 48.00 km (29.83 mi)
November sunshine Blue sies in the Lambourn Valley
Proposed Route: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1360571131"
Comment on this ride

1

Written by : Nicole Pethybridge

Posted on : November 27, 2016 at 11:13 AM

Lovely ride on a very clear winter afternoon. Great pace for the circumstances and great to catch up with so many people

Thanks Karen

Tue Nov 29th 2016

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
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. For winter, we'll start outside the Nelson pub
Riders: David Brown Richard Pethybridge Riders = 2 Weather: Report: A cracking ride - we were all feeling quite enthusiastic and the ground was dry. We ended with a score of 20 miles. Up Lark Hill, then up to the Ridgeway. Down Ice Valley and up the other side, making our way through Bluebell Woods (no bluebells!) to twisty gnarly , and across the old airfield. Finally back at low level to the NCN.
Distance: 32.19 km (20.00 mi)
Comment on this ride

Wed Nov 30th 2016

Turbo Training

Leader: Amanda Seddon	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: As another fantastic outdoor season draws to a close you may be turning your thoughts to how you can maintain, or at least not lose all, the cycle fitness you have built up over the spring and summer. Well look no further than indoor winter turbo training. What do you need? A bicycle, a turbo trainer - a device that enables you to ride your bike, stationary, indoors. Turbo trainers, or turbos as they are commonly known, clamp around the quick release skewer of a bike’s rear wheel suspending it in an A-frame. The club has 2 turbos that can be loaned to members. Where and When do they take place? Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall. 10 sessions from Wednesday 5th October to Wednesday 14th December inclusive (NB No session Wednesday 9th November). What are the sessions like? Run by club ride leaders, rather like a spin class, with music and an hour long routine which involves a warm up, a series of intervals focusing on sprinting or climbing with rest periods in between, then always close with a warm down. Is there a club star (*) rating? No. The beauty of turbo training is that you work as hard as you feel you are able. In this way, all riders, regardless of how strong they are, can ride and train together. What does it cost? We ask for a small donation to cover the cost of hiring a room - last year this was £20 for 10 sessions for those riders signed up for all 10 sessions. If you would rather drop in for one of two sessions we ask for a donation of £4 per session. What to do next. If you are interested, or want to find out more, please contact Karen Townsin (karen.townsin@acintya.co.uk, 07768 066413 ).
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 10 Report:
Comment on this ride

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

Ride Archive

Complete Archive

*