Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Wed Nov 1st 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Sara Ward	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor turbo 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. Amount of exercise is determined individually so sessions are suitable for riders of all levels. Turbo set up time from 6.30. See the Turbo page in the Resources section for further details. Building on the endurance pyramid, this week's session is a series of 'over and unders' to raise FTP and improve resilience by working on recovery without the need to drop all the way down to rest.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Paul Penfold Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 14 Report: An excellent turn out and sterling effort by all over four sets of 6 minutes 'over and under' FTP. Kudos in particular to those who had been out on the road earlier in the day. Thanks to everyone for their company and I was very impressed by the naming of 1980s bands in the playlist - some were quite obscure!
Sara's Over/Under session Post-session wreckage ;-) Sara' s over/under session
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Sat Nov 4th 2017

Saturday Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Half day ride (60-70km / 38-45 miles), with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Likely to visit distant destinations. Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. N.B. In response to the recent survey results, this is a morning (9.30) start! In preparation for Guy Fawkes night, this ride takes in five climbs and one of them's 'a cracker' !!! Out through the vale toward Compton Beauchamp and our first climb up Fox Hill. Then down to Chisledon and along to the 'piece de resistance', the climb out of Ogbourne St George. Topping out at nearly 17%* (*this is a correction after a pre ride check!) it's a tough climb - but it's only temporary! From there we'll head down to Aldbourne and back up towards Lambourn and the familiar run homeward to Grove via Hackpen Hill and the Letcombes. At 75k this is a little longer than normal but worth it I think! We have a few options for a tea stop (Chisledon, Albourne and Lambourn) depending on when the group feels the need.
Riders: Eddie Little Hugh Falkner Jerry Bird Jo Little Jon Townsin Karl Blake Phil Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 8 Weather: Report: An initial group of seven set out to be joined by Hugh along the way. The rather damp and drizzly start quickly dried out as we headed through the vale and before we reached the first (warm up) climb to Knighton I'd managed to shed the waterproofing! Already we'd had an 'I've never been this way before' which is always a bonus. The way out through Ashbury, Idstone and Bishopstone brought us to the foot of the day's second climb, up Fox Hill, which allowed all riders to flex their legs (some more quickly than others) to gain the top - which everyone did! Then onto Chisledon and a lovely quiet route round to Ogbourne St George (once we'd crossed the very busy A346!). That quiet respite was needed for the climb up Snap Hill out of OSG, past the golf course and up towards Aldbourne. The 17% climb enlivened some old memories (nightmares?) for some and created some new ones for others. The reward was a gentle downhill (along another 'never been here before' into Aldbourne for a splendid lunch stop at the Post Office there. (Best bacon and egg sandwich I can remember!). Phil picked up a persistent puncture and Jerry offered to accompany him back while the rest of us kept going up the last two climbs out of Aldbourne and Lambourn respectively. They caught us up at the top of Hackpen from where we descended together back to Wantage and Grove. Nice.
Distance: 74.98 km (46.59 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26401172"
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Tue Nov 7th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Brown	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 - 20 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 Riders = 1 Report:
Distance: 15.00 km (9.32 mi)
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Wed Nov 8th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Inspired by Saturdays ride, this will be a chance to practice those hills, with periods of sustained climbing and descending to a soundtrack of ... you'll just have to wait and see ! Indoor turbo 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. Amount of exercise is determined individually so sessions are suitable for riders of all levels. Turbo set up time from 6.30.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 13 Report: All climbs negotiated successfully, no walking and no punctures!
Turbo climb
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Sat Nov 11th 2017

Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: David Bridge	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Grove to Lambourn via Hackpen Hill. Then up the gentle climb to Ashbury. Turn right along the Portway then left to Loncot. Stop at the King and Queen for refreshments. Then return via Stanford in the Vale, Charney Basset and Denchworth. The only moderately serious hill is Hackpen Hill; the climb to Ashbury is reasonably gentle. As this is a 2* ride we will wait for everyone at the top of both these climbs and at any other places as required. If we arrive at the top of Ashbury hill before 11:30 the ride may be extended by a flat couple of miles as I don't want to be hanging outside the King and Queen waiting for it to open. We expect to get back well before sunset but you are advised to bring lights at this time of year anyway. NOTE: START TIME IS 09:30hrs
Riders: David Bridge Des Higgs Karl Blake Nigel Hughes Roger Postbeschild Riders = 5 Weather: Report: All 5 of us started off in rainy weather for Lambourn. Sadly the predicted improvement in the weather came a bit late. In view of this we decided it was better to dry off, as best if we could, in the Lambourn coffee house. We started off again towards Ashbury at 11:25 coming down Ashbury Hill in heavier rain. This started to improve soon and we arrived at the King and Queen at Longcot at 12:25. After refreshments there Des went home in Longcot and the rest of us returned to Grove the easy way via Baulking in reasonably pleasant dry weather.
Distance: 53.11 km (33.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/18983704
Roger and Des enjoying the weather
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26407833"
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Sat Nov 11th 2017

Saturday Off Road Ride	2*

Leader:	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Off-road ride for those who like their rides bumpy and (sometimes) muddy on second Saturday mornings. The rides will be about 20 miles, mostly off-road, and aim to finish in time for a late lunch (whether together or heading for home). We adjust the ride to suit the riders and the weather, but in general the terrain will be rough, so a mountain-bike in good condition and with knobbly tyres is recommended.
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Tue Nov 14th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 - 20 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 Riders = 2 Report:
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)
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Wed Nov 15th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor turbo 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. Amount of exercise is determined individually so sessions are suitable for riders of all levels. Turbo set up time from 6.30. Medium and short high intensity intervals tonight with a soundtrack with no particular theme other than I like all the songs. You can guess the artists if you want though .
Riders: Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report: So, not my finest hour as a ride leader but thank-you all so much for you forbearance. Thankfully, even with the extended warm up, we still managed to finish by 8:00 and, given Yvonne's graphic description of her experience of the 'sensation of effort and fatigue', I think it hit the spot.
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Sat Nov 18th 2017

Easy Saturday Afternoon Ride	1*

Leader: Sara Ward	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Family and social afternoon ride (16-32km / 10-20 miles), usually with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs. One for Downton Abbey fans - slightly longer than the usual but a predominately flat and sociable saunter to Bampton. Tea and excellent cake at the garden centre available at the half way point to fuel us back up the only hill. Please bring your lights - always recommended at this time of year.
Riders: Bob Hurst John Tranter Martyn Wigmore Millicent Arboine Nick Portsmouth Sara Ward Tony Botto Riders = 7 Weather: Report: It was good to welcome two new riders - Bob and Millie -especially on this rather wet afternoon loop to Bampton. The suboptimal conditions and fading light meant we opted to retrace after a pleasant tea stop rather than looping back via Park Lane this time. Thanks to all for their company and good humour and to John for taking the dual role of sweep and mechanical adviser. Kudos is certainly due to Millie for an impressive achievement. A novice cyclist on an unfamiliar bike, she persisted and smiled throughout.
Distance: 39.80 km (24.73 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26431888"
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Written by : Millicent Arboine

Posted on : November 20, 2017 at 11:36 PM

Wow! It was a great a great achievement for me! A .milestone evenðŸ˜ but all the praises should go to Sarah and John, I was scared but there comforting and reassurance got my confidence up and they were consistently supportive from start to finish. The team was brilliant. I would encourage anyone who have never ridden in a setting like this to come along... So when's the next ride?ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚

Sun Nov 19th 2017

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
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. Out through the Vale to Uffington and the Coxwells, then over the ridge to drop into the Thames Valley. Lunch options in Lechlade and then we will explore some of the lovely villages to the north on the edge of the Cotswolds before we swing west to Bampton, up Buckland Hill and home.
Riders: Des Higgs Jenny Gower Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Joy Arthur Karen Townsin Karl Blake Nicole Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Sharon Bedford Terry Penn Riders = 12 Weather: Report: A great group assembled - I guess everyone was excited by some rare sunny weather on a November weekend. It was a pleasure to lead as everyone was pretty evenly matched. All went well to Lechlade, but then we discovered that the Lynwood Cafe was full and the Black Cat cafe had closed. Fortunately, we stumbled across the Tea Chest cafe down by the river. No hot food, but nice coffee and cake to keep us going. We then decided to head north into that mysterious corner of the near Cotswolds between Fairford, Burford and Brize Norton. The beautiful villages and quiet lanes were really nice, even if we did get mildly lost a few times! Eventually we popped out onto familiar roads across to Bampton and decided to try the Bampton Garden Centre for lunch. A good choice, as it turned out. A routine return to Grove, conquering Buckland Hill and heading back via Charney Bassett, etc. Thanks to all for a great ride!
Distance: 75.64 km (47.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/19141428
Passing the Tithe Barn at Great Coxwell November sunshine! The traditional Buckland Hill selfie...
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6955890"
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Tue Nov 21st 2017

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Brown	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 - 20 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 Steve Legate Riders = 2 Report:
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Wed Nov 22nd 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Amanda Seddon	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor turbo 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. Amount of exercise is determined individually so sessions are suitable for riders of all levels. Turbo set up time from 6.30 for a 7pm start.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Bob Hurst Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Millicent Arboine Phil Ward Roger Postbeschild Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 15 Report:
Interval training
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Written by : Karen T

Posted on : November 22, 2017 at 8:56 PM

Thanks all for your patience tonight and for being so accommodating. I have added details of the turbo blog page to each of the remaining sessions.

Written by : Phil

Posted on : November 22, 2017 at 9:47 PM

Great session tonight, thanks Amanda for guiding us through a really challenging set and Karen for all your efforts - i'd have struggled without the door cooling ;-)

Sat Nov 25th 2017

Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 11:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: ****** Can anyone planning on coming to tomorrow's 2* ride contact me for a copy of the lunch menu. Eynsham Emporium has asked us to let them know what we want by 11 tomorrow. Alternatively if you turn up before 11 at OMH we can sort it then. Thanks ******* Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), 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. *PLEASE NOTE THE 11am START**** Eynsham Emporium for lunch. Thanks to Ursula for this route. It's a figure of 8 going out to Southmoor, over the bridge and along to Cumnor. Then the glorious swoop down to Farmoor and on to Eynsham for lunch. Back via Stanton Harcourt, the skip up the hill and back over the A420. We should be back by 3 but always wise to take lights out with you at this time of year. If you are riding without mudguards, please bring a plastic bag to sit on in the cafe. Thanks
Riders: David Bridge David Jackson Eddie Little Jo Little John Tranter Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Sharon Bedford Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 9 Weather: Report: What a great ride. Lots of sunshine, beautiful views and a lovely group. We caused great hilarity at the cafÃ©, by taking 3 phone calls in 3 minutes to get our order in but it paid off! Despite a puncture in Denchworth, we were only 10 minutes later for lunch than expected. The roads were much busier than expected and the odd bad driver was far outweighed by the patience and good humour of the majority of the drivers. The swoop down to Farmoor was glorious and the view of the reservoirs noteworthy. Following a leisurely lunch, efficiently provided, we headed back, remembering not to return via the bridge at Longworth (they were hedge trimming down the lane approaching the bridge). One of those cold, crisp rides that will linger in the memory.
Distance: 63.40 km (39.39 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/1292016857
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26517627"
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Written by : Eddie Little

Posted on : November 25, 2017 at 5:32 PM

Thank you Kath, very enjoyable rideðŸ‘ðŸš´

Tue Nov 28th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Brown	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 - 20 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 Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Report:
Distance: 26.00 km (16.16 mi)
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Wed Nov 29th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor turbo 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. Amount of exercise is determined individually so sessions are suitable for riders of all levels. Turbo set up time from 6.30. If you have not attended a session before, please read the following document listed in 'Proposed Route' below and contact the ride leader if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 13 Report: Another evening of hard work. Great to see such a good turnout.
Threshold Booster session 29 Nov 2017
Proposed Route: http://www.cyclingukwantage.org.uk/blog.php?p=751"
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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