Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Apr 3rd 2018

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Weekly 1.5 hour rides at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Weekly 1.5 hour rides at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. A very straightforward classic loop through the Vale to kick off the Tuesday 2* season. Out to Denchworth, along to West Hanney then up what may be the smoothest road in Oxfordshire to Southmoor. A nice gentle glide back down to Charney Bassett, Denchworth again and home. No hills at all (unless you count the Denchworth railway bridge, which we don't). 16 miles, so should get us back just around sunset. But - lights are essential!
Riders: Alex Davison Brian Hipwell Caroline Yorston Clare Hazell David Lynch Des Higgs Emma Hazell James Bosley Jan McCabe John Tranter Karl Blake Lisa Benn Michael Tayler Olivia Pile Sara Ward Riders = 15 Weather: Report: Wow - what a great group and what a lot of people! Clearly, everyone was excited by a rare pleasant evening after a truly terrible Bank Holiday weekend. There was still a fair bit of standing water around the place and an unpleasant amount of potholes, but it was a very nice evening and we had a great ride. Emma's friend Lorna decided she wasn't feeling too good and left us at Dechworth, but the rest of the group stayed together really well and dealt with a somewhat nagging wind with no problem at all. Clare's brother James also joined us. Thanks to all for a great evening!
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/21798225
A great big Hanney selfie! First Tuesday 2* of the 2018 season.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12819041"
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Written by : Barry Stanton

Posted on : April 4, 2018 at 6:57 AM

Sorry I couldn't make it .. was looking forward to meeting up with old friends and meeting new one... woke up Tuesday morning with a stinking cold so while you were out enjoying yourselves I was wrapped up in bed with me Lemsip and Eddie my dog.. see you all soon I hope.... hope the Lemsip isn't on Wada list

Tue Apr 3rd 2018

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Weekly 1.5 - 2 hours at a riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). May be hilly. Weekly 1.5 - 2 hours at a riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). May be hilly. A gentle start to the new season taking account of available light and (potentially) untested legs! N.B. Due to a poor road surface, we'll omit the descent into Sparsholt and go via Childrey instead. Please see amended route... We'll head out to Hackpen Hill, for the only climb of the ride, via the Letcombes and down into Sparsholt. from there we stay in the vale, taking in Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Goosey before returning home via Denchworth. A shortish ride of c. 35k will get us home between Sunset and sun down. Although the sun will (hopefully) provide light, please make sure you bring your own!
Riders: Andy Cowan Eddie Little Hugo Pile Jerry Bird Jo Little John Groves Jon Townsin Joy Arthur Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Mike Cooke Nick Dunton Paul Jarvis Roger Postbeschild Sharon Bedford Steve Swanton Yvonne Bird Riders = 17 Weather: Report: A brilliant turnout to the new Tuesday evening season with 17 riders opting to brave the wind and (potential) showers to set the season off to a great start. Thanks to Karen for leading the second (almost mandatory) group and to Paul and kath for sweeping. The potholes and various road closures complicated an otherwise simple route and the wind did it's level best to make the outward part of the journey quite testing (at least for me!). The return leg saw the pace speed up but also meant that a puncture for Eddie created a split in the group for a time. Thanks to Andy for accompanying me back to the stricken group. On the way back we were passed by the Karen's group which encouraged a concerted effort to catch up - which we did - just! The two groups merged for the last few kilometres arriving back to Grove a little after 20.00. I was impressed that the number of lights and fluorescent clothing meant that although the various delays got us back after sundown, we were highly visible to all other road users!
Distance: 32.50 km (20.19 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27101425"
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Tue Apr 3rd 2018

Tuesday Evening 4* Ride	4*

Leader: Nick Fisher	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Weekly 1.5-2 hours ride at a riding pace of 25-29km/h (16-18mph). May be hilly. Weekly 1.5 - 2 hours ride at a riding pace of 25-29km/h (16-18mph). May be hilly. A flattish anti-clockwise loop through the vale to start off the season. Lights essential. 02/04/18 Proposed route modified to avoid worst flooding following route check. 3/4/18 - Route slightly modified towards end
Riders: Eusebio Bermejo Frank Schroer Hugh Falkner Jason Jones Louis Hall Nick Fisher Peter Cowan Phil Ward Ruth Fisher Riders = 9 Report: A cracking start to the 4* season, with 9 riders gathered. A flat approach to Uffington round the smaller villages brought us to a succession of climbs to warm the legs up, with a wonderful descent down Hackpen, assisted by something of a tailwind. All safely back to Wantage before the night had drawn in fully
Distance: 44.74 km (27.80 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27152007"
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Written by : Phil

Posted on : April 4, 2018 at 8:08 AM

Thanks Nick, very enjoyable

Tue Apr 3rd 2018

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 Riders = 2 Report:
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
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Sat Apr 7th 2018

3* Saturday Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 1:00 pm	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. I though we'd head out North for a flattish ride of 64km/40 miles, to Whitney and back. We can stop for tea either at Cogges Manor Farm or Aston Pottery. Proposed route below but subject to pre-ride check.
Riders: Chris Gray Des Higgs Hugh Falkner James McGuigan Jan McCabe Jane John Jenny Gower Jerry Bird John Groves John Tranter Joy Arthur Karen Townsin Nicole Pethybridge Steve Swanton Terry Penn Ursula Hallam Yvonne Bird Riders = 17 Weather: Report: It was great, if somewhat daunting, to see so many riders turning out, and in the event, the disciplined riding by all made it an easy group to manage. Thanks to those of you who led smaller groups and most importantly Nicole, Des and Hugh who took turns on the back. The road from Stanton Harcourt to Cogges was full of drivers making the short cut to the tip (yes John and Des did warn me) but in the main they were pretty considerate. The cafe stop was pretty quick considering the snail's pace of the serving staff, but just as we were about to leave, both Chris and Steve simultaneously noticed punctures. The traffic out of Whitney was pretty horrendous, and though Steve had kindly recced an alternative via a bridleway, many of the group felt it was a little too early in the season to risk skinny tyres on gravel. Homeward bound through Aston and Bampton we noticed that Great Brook was still closed and I for one was happy not to have attempted it - unlike James on Tuesday. Terry picked up the pace through Charney Bassett, though some of us chose not to follow , and we arrived back at OMH a little after 5pm. Thanks all for a very enjoyable ride.
Distance: 64.00 km (39.77 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/21897732
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27101674"
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Written by : Ursula

Posted on : April 8, 2018 at 11:01 AM

Immensely enjoyable ride and surprisingly warm as well! Thanks for leading Karen.

Sun Apr 8th 2018

Harlequin Hack	3*

Leader: Jo Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Uffington
Description: This early season 100km Audax event was resurrected by our club a few years ago. It is now run by another club, but we like to support it. Although it is a standalone organised event, Jo and Eddie Little have kindly offered to lead a 'ride within a ride' for anyone who wants to join them. A modest excursion into the Cotswold hills followed by a gentle wander through the watery lanes of the upper Thames, the Evenlode and the Windrush. The ride starts and ends at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall in Uffington which has a village shop adjacent. Food and drink available at the start/finish and included in the entry fee. Pre-entry for this audax event is preferred. The cost is Ã‚Â£5.50 and can be completed online at Audax UK: http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-101/
Riders: Eddie Little Jo Little Karl Blake Riders = 3 Report: A select group of 3 set out this morning from Uffington. The course was very scenic despite the weather which, unfortunately, got wetter throughout the day. We worked well together as a group and were pleased to improve on our time from last year. Thank you to Karl for letting Eddie and I practise our ride leading and navigating skills.
Distance: 110.00 km (68.35 mi)
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Written by : Karl Blake

Posted on : April 8, 2018 at 8:08 PM

Jo and Eddie thank you for a great ride today.
You both lead and navigated very well, looking forward to you both leading another ride.
Thanks again
Karl

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: At the start of this ride, we will cover bike set up and basic techniques to make off-roading fun. We'll do a 3 mile 'training ride' then an optional short ride up to about 10 miles on local tracks, with frequent breaks. This ride is ideal if you have wanted to take your bike off-road, but been a bit unsure. Plenty of free car parking at Old Mill Hall. From June â€“ the regular off-road rides for 2018 return: we are toning these down and keeping them closer to Wantage. The rides will be 15-20 miles, on quiet local tracks through the woods, and maybe up to the Ridgeway. Pace equivalent to 2*, best on a mountain bike, but a cyclocross bike and if dry a robust hybrid will be fine. Call/email Robin if you are not sure.
Riders: Clare Hazell David Brown David Jackson James Bosley Nicole Pethybridge Richard Ashford Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 9 Weather: Report: A slightly uncertain weather forecast didn't stop 9 of us assembling at Old Mill Hall on this April Sunday for the first 'Back on your Mountain Bike' ride. We had 6 victims, er, relative novices, and 3 experienced riders. And the rain stayed off, although there was mud underneath at times. We started in the car park with checking through a few important basics: - Riding position (not too stretched out) - Tyre pressure (not too firm: 30-35 psi) -Â Suspension (soft enough to get decent motion) -Â and some tips about maintenance Then it was off to Crab Hill, which unfortunately due to recent wet weather provided the first test of bike handling, with Robin demonstrating the 'emergency dismount in a muddy puddle'. With a bit more discussion about the evils of ruts, and how best to handle them we continued to Wantage. The next challenge was Lark Hill and a steep, slippy slope. We talked about how gears, body position and line choice could help get you up. Brilliantly, everyone made it, and arrived at the top rightly feeling proud and confidence-boosted. Then it was a bit more mud and a continued climb through Bitham Woods and up past the monument to Baron Wantage to the top of Jolly Green Giant - the big descent! This should be the fun bit, but can also be a bit intimidating, so we spent a while talking about position again, and how to use your arms and legs as extra suspension. The feedback was that this made a real difference on this grassy slope. We worked our way back to Grove on a less muddy route, covering a couple more minor challenges and tips on the way. There was general agreement that continuing a series of clearly marked 'easy' off-road rides over the summer would be a good thing to do.
Distance: 19.31 km (12.00 mi)
Back on your mountain bike April 2018
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