Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Wed Mar 1st 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Amanda Seddon	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Description: This is the seventh in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, a workout focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report:
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Sat Mar 4th 2017

3* Saturday Afternoon Ride	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	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. Always good to start early spring with a hilly ride . After skipping up Chain Hill (those that do will be waiting for me at the top!) we'll loop round to West Ilsley before wiggling over to Great Shefford. We'll check out the café in Lambourn before taking the steady climb back over the Ridgeway to finish in Grove before dark (all being well). This is a hilly ride and as a result is at the top end of the 3* range.
Riders: Jo Little John Groves John Tranter Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Dunton Richard Pethybridge Richard Saunders Riders = 8 Weather: Report: I have decided to christen this ride the rainbow ride, rather than the wet ride or the windy ride or the slightly eventful ride . The weather forecast was light winds with a slight chance of showers. Changing about 5pm. Beautiful morning, good weather forecast, what could be better for a Saturday afternoon club ride? 8 gathered, John T felt underdressed so scooted off for more clothes and Nick mentioned how blustery it was. And so to Chain Hill, we crested the first part and were straight in to the gentle wind. Not. It was brutal (not I hasten to add as brutal as a Norfolk headwind). Most of us eventually regrouped at the top, Richard S very kindly went off to check the tail riders were ok, with the wind behind him he had a blast but couldn't find Jo who had decided it was not the weather for her. He made the decision to turn before the bottom so didn't do Chain Hill twice - quite! Beautiful views, blue skys, undulating busy road down to West Ilsley and then quite roads to just before Liley when John T discovered a puncture whilst we were all putting our raincoats on for a shower. We got to admire the first rainbow whilst John sorted his puncture out. We were over half way by now but a lot later than any of us had expected. It was then uneventful to Lambourn, where I missed the café! Nick and Richard both needed to get back so skipped the stop. The rest of us enjoyed the new cafe's rather splendid cakes and wondered at the inefficiency of the nice staff . As we left it started to rain again. Descending Hackpen hill, was painful from the force of the rain. But we had seen lots of rainbows and had an easy ride up from Lambourn with wind assistance! We were reminded of the force of the wind as we turned towards Letcombe Bassett as for a short time we were back to a headwind. It just got wetter. I was very glad I had got the okay from the group to leave the ride in Wantage rather than Grove, so John G and I said goodbye to the others as we all dripped our way back home. It felt slightly epic for a Saturday afternoon ride, but I think its fair to say that none of us regretted going out
Distance: 57.00 km (35.42 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/888908209
Waiting for Richard S to reclimb Chain Hill
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19196504"
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Tue Mar 7th 2017

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 Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: David Yearley Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Just after this ride I discovered the text from Richard A saying he had turned up late and headed off to Ardington to try to find us. As it happened, we had gone that way, but he didn't find us in time. Here's what he missed. From Ardington we turned South, through the woods and up to the Ridgeway at Betterton. Then East on the Ridge, down at Harwell and worked our way around the cheeky woods near Harwell Campus. Then we climbed up again on Zigzag hill, and West to come down via Bitham Woods and Goddards Brook.
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Wed Mar 8th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Description: This is the eighth in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, a workout focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jo Little Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 9 Report: A hard combination of hills and sprints that in addition to giving us all a good workout, took in all the very best (musical) cities in the world !
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Sat Mar 11th 2017

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Des Higgs	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. This ride will take us through the villages of Denchworth, Charney, Fyfield, Tubney, Gozards Ford, Abingdon, Drayton and Steventon where we will stop for coffee tea and/or cakes at Q Gardens. From there we will head home via Hendred, Ginge, Lockinge and Lains Barn before returning to Grove. In total there are not many hills and none of them very hard. Distance is in the region of 44 km.
Riders: Barry Stanton David Jackson Des Higgs John Groves John Tranter Karl Blake Mike Bailey Mila Yearley Sharon Bedford Susan Holdroyd Riders = 10 Report: The ride had all the ingredients for perfection:excellent weather and riding companions .The only thing to marr it was the road manners of two or three idiots in cars ,but we all survived through it thinking there seems to be more bad drivers on the road in Oxfordshire on a Saturday afternoon than I had thought!We continued to a well deserved tea stop at Q Gardens.The return journey was uneventful and peaceful with very little traffic .Thank- you one and all.
Distance: 44.00 km (27.34 mi)
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1

Written by : Barry

Posted on : March 11, 2017 at 6:53 PM

Good ride today.. was fun..nice group

Mon Mar 13th 2017

Committee Meeting

Leader:	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Committee Meeting
Riders: David Smith John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Nicole Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Riders = 6 Report:
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Tue Mar 14th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	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 Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: David Yearley Richard Anstis Riders = 2 Report:
Distance: 22.00 km (13.67 mi)
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Wed Mar 15th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Phil Ward	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Description: This is the ninth in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, commencing anytime from 18:40 onwards & a workout starting at 19:00 focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. Tonight's Aim: to improve muscular endurance as well as to accustom your mind and body to the discomfort of working slightly outside of your current sustainable power capability with the further intent of slightly extending that capability. i.e. a series of longer Sweetspot/Threshold efforts with rests in-between. Think of it as money in the climbing bank for the Summer Season There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jon Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report: Cracking commitment by the assembled grimpeurs to master repetitive transitions in & out of the saddle. For sure you made a graceful bunch - well done. It also served to take your minds off the 23 minutes of honest graft that I'd smuggled into the session.... .
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Sat Mar 18th 2017

Easy Saturday Afternoon Ride from Standlake	1*

Leader: Nick Portsmouth	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: Standlake Village Hall
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 an awayday 1* ride to the Thames Valley starting from the large car park outside Standlake village hall (OX29 7SB) with tea stop at Aston Pottery. All welcome. After visiting Aston Pottery on a 2* ride last year, I thought that it would be nice to give 1* riders a chance to visit it too. After leaving the village hall, we'll ride through the villages of Stanton Harcourt, Hardwick & Yelford before stopping at the pottery after about 12 miles. We'll then have another 5 miles to go back to the hall, via Cote, Shifford & Brighthampton. I'm aiming to to ride near the top end of 1* pace and the route includes a couple of inclines similar to the rise from the A417 to Childrey.
Riders: David Bridge Gareth Smith Lorna Swanton Louise Moggach Maeve Moggach Marielle Moggach Martin Hook Michael Tayler Nick Portsmouth Sophie Conroy Steve Swanton Val Smith Riders = 12 Weather: Report: Once Maeve and Marielle were safely tucked in their trailer, and having welcomed new rider Sophie, we headed off to the lovely village of Stanton Harcourt and through the North Oxfordshire lake district (a collection of former gravel pits). After crossing the A415, and heading into the wind, we followed a series of minor and single track roads to the outskirts of Bampton and then on to the tea stop at Aston Pottery, a first visit for some of the riders. The clouds were still threatening as we headed back to Standlake via more minor roads where it was lovely to see a couple of deer on the way. Thank you to everyone who came on my first away ride.
Distance: 28.32 km (17.60 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19135812"
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Sun Mar 19th 2017

Regular Wantage Ride - the Oxford Special Series	3*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: 7.30am UPDATE: It's a bit windier than I would like, but the ride is still ON. we will have a nice tailwind to blow us to Oxford, but a headwind on the way home. This is where those shortcuts may well come in handy! I am planning a series of Oxford special rides this year, taking advantage of my very best cunning knowledge of the secret routes in and out of this complicated but beautiful city. This is the first one - an all day ride at a steady touring pace, designated 3* because of the distance but otherwise with a 2* flavour. NB: NOTE CHANGE OF START LOCATION TO OLD MILL HALL We head east via Hanney and Steventon to cross the Thames at Clifton Hampden, then a lovely section via the Baldons and Garsington gets us to the south edge of Oxford at Horspath. We skirt the Mini factory before a particularly satisfying bike track route pops us out on the Cowley Road and we head over Magdalen Bridge up the High and into the heart of the city. I will let you into some Bursar/tour guide insider secrets as we pass my own St Cross College and head north through Jericho to a lunch stop at The Plough in Wolvercote. We will then enjoy a spectacular loop around Port Meadow and a super cunning transit of the A34/A420 junction before conquering Cumnor Hill and heading home via Appleton. Unmissable! This is a long route, but we will have a number of short cut options in the last 10 miles or so and we can adjust to suit.
Riders: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Jenny Gower John Tranter Karl Blake Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Terry Penn Riders = 8 Weather: Report: Well, this was definitely a ride of two halves. The first half was really quite pleasant as we were wind assisted along our route to Oxford. All of the cunning tricks worked well and everyone was very patient with my tour guide act as we threaded our way through the centre of town. The Plough at Wolvercote did us proud and it was a very good lunch. But... Then we had to set off back towards the west and that meant we had to face the howling gale head on. Cumnor Hill was a lot harder than usual as a result, but the group stayed together well. By unanimous agreement we scorned the short cut options and decided to plod on into the unrelenting wind and get the full route done. Great respect to the group for holding together and thanks to all those who took a turn on the front to share the load!
Distance: 91.73 km (57.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/13473427
Heading for Marsh Baldon on the way to Oxford. Heading for Marsh Baldon on the way to Oxford. Heading for Marsh Baldon on the way to Oxford. Heading for Marsh Baldon on the way to Oxford. Heading for Marsh Baldon on the way to Oxford. Heading for Marsh Baldon on the way to Oxford. Acting like tourists at the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford. Acting like tourists at the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19493859"
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Tue Mar 21st 2017

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 Anstis Riders = 3 Report:
Distance: 22.50 km (13.98 mi)
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Wed Mar 22nd 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Description: This is the last in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, a workout focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Report: Well that was another good turbo season. Thanks to Karen for organising and ensuring we all enjoyed(!) ourselves. Some outstanding sessions this year, a lot of happy punters. Great work everybody
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Sat Mar 25th 2017

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Nicole Pethybridge	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. 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. Spring has sprung so dust off the bikes and join us for a classic local ride to Aston Pottery. Out via Goosey to Fernham where we will take the first of two climbs. Through Faringdon to Clanfield and then the tea stop at Ashton Pottery. Back via Buckland for the second challenge of the day. Back over the A420 and through Denchworth home. Taken at 2* pace this will be a good warm up before the start of the evening rides in April
Riders: Barry Stanton David Bridge John Groves John Tranter Karl Blake Mila Yearley Nick Portsmouth Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Sharon Bedford Simon Atkin Riders = 11 Weather: Report: 11 plucky riders struck out against the brisk easterly wind. The wonderful sunshine made up for the breeze and we were all a lot warmer than we had anticipated. A meandering route out throughout the local lanes to Fernham and up the first incline of the day. Safely and patiently across the A420 we rode through Farringdon and took the swoop down to the Thames flood plain. The wind irritated us all and Karl was affected by a rear cassette that wasn't helping him. However we all made it bravely on to a welcome tea stop at Aston Pottery. After a fine slice of cake there was a slight problem with the toilets being out of action. Karl and Barry ingeniously solved Karl's cassette issue with a little pack of flora margarine and the ladies used a useful countryside hedge to solve the toilets issue. Feeling very self reliant we sailed up Buckland Hill and despite the wind retuning at intervals depending on the direction of travel we all made it back in good spirits in the spring sunshine.
Distance: 59.00 km (36.66 mi)
lovely spring sunshine in Little Coxwell lovely spring sunshine in Little Coxwell lovely spring sunshine in Little Coxwell lovely spring sunshine in Little Coxwell lovely spring sunshine in Little Coxwell Flora - 90% of cyclists prefer it for fixing a stiff chain link... cruising along Great Brook Road in the spring sunshine cruising along Great Brook Road in the spring sunshine cruising along Great Brook Road in the spring sunshine On the home straight, passing through Buckland. On the home straight, passing through Buckland. On the home straight, passing through Buckland.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19525547"
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1

Written by : Karl Blake

Posted on : March 25, 2017 at 8:39 PM

Many thanks for a great ride Nicole and for everybody's patience and advice with my mechanical problem 😊

Tue Mar 28th 2017

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 Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: David Yearley Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Report:
Distance: 32.50 km (20.19 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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