Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Oct 2nd 2018

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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: Bruce Winney David Yearley Jason Jones John Davies Riders = 4 Report:
Distance: 27.00 km (16.78 mi)
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Wed Oct 3rd 2018

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. For our first session of the season we'll be practising riding intervals at a progressively higher cadence, with short intervals in between. If you fancy joining us but are new to turbo, have a look at the info in the resources section.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Barry Stanton David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report: Well here we are again...... Lovely to be back and great to see Barry on his bike. Solid effort from everyone this evening, completing a series of 'flying shorties.' It was warm.....
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Sun Oct 7th 2018

3* SUNDAY Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Eddie Little	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. * Due to heavy rain on Saturday this Sunday ride has been added to allow riders to take advantage of the better weather * As this is the start of the autumn & winter half day rides, I thought it would be nice to take advantage of the fine weather & stretch our legs. We will head out via Denchworth, passing through Charney-Bassett, Hatford, Longcot, Compton- Beauchamp, up Ashbury Hill, down through the Lambourn Valley, Great-Shefford, from there we will head up past Woolly House, onto the B4494 to our tea stop at SaddleBack Farm. Once we are all refreshed, we will head down the famous Chain Hill for home. Ride Distance 43.7mi/70km. Ride pace of (13-15)mph. We will wait for each other at the top of the hills! This ride takes around 4 hours, that includes our tea stop!
Riders: Eddie Little Jenny Gower John Groves Nigel Hughes Paul Bentley Sharon Bedford Terry Penn Yvonne Bird Riders = 8 Weather: Report: A lovely morning to cycle with a turn out of eight riders! The roads were fairly quiet throughout the ride. Everyone managed the hills very well. En route we passed three of our fellow club members enjoying the fine weather. Olivia was turning out one of her horses, Karl & Des were enjoying a cycle ride. Yvonne had a small mechanical resulting in her chain coming off the front ring & jamming. The problem was soon resolved with some useful advice from Terry. SaddleBack Farm was fairly busy, but once we had ordered our food it was quick to arrive! Yvonne & Sharon decided to go straight back to Wantage as they had afternoon engagements. Once we were all refreshed, Jenny & Terry headed out towards the Ilsleys leaving the four of us to return home. Thankyou to everyone for being such a friendly & easy group to lead, thanks to Terry for sweeping!
Distance: 70.00 km (43.50 mi)
3* Half Day Ride SaddleBack Farm. 3* Half Day Ride Bikes all locked up at SaddleBack Farm. Chicken picking up the pieces
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28682912?beta=false"
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Tue Oct 9th 2018

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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 Jason Jones John Davies Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Report:
Distance: 28.40 km (17.65 mi)
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Wed Oct 10th 2018

Turbo Training

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. Off to Egypt tonight to see some pyramids !!!
Riders: Amanda Seddon Barry Stanton David Talboys Des Higgs Eddie Little Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Sheryl Hibberd Riders = 11 Report: A nice warm evening to recreate the hot desert nights to be found in the valley of the Pharaohs! John was accompanied by his daughter Sheryl which brought the band up to 11 riders to climb steadily up one face of the pyramid and then down the other. All in all a jolly good work out and even better 'cos I won the music quiz by 7 points to 6.5 ! Rock on Tommy !!!
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Sat Oct 13th 2018

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 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 - CHANGE OF START TIME TO 1pm. A re-run of an interesting ride trail-blazed this time last year, this is a real classic on some rarely used little roads down into the Thames Valley. Out via Denchworth and Park Lane to Stanford in the Vale, then to Hatford and a tiny road to the north. Then a quick dash down a short section of the A420 to Littleworth is rewarded by a dramatic drop into the Thames flood plain. Over the river to Clanfield, along to Bampton and a great tea stop at Aston Pottery. Pot buying is optional, but the cafe is great. Suitably fortified, we will take some time to explore the rarely travelled tiny lanes around Shifford and Chimney (breaking through to the river Thames on the far side of Duxford ford), before conquering the modest challenge of Buckland Hill and (after exploring the back streets of Buckland village) heading for home via Charney Bassett. 37miles / 59km, at a speed of around 12mph / 19kph.
Riders: John Groves John Tranter Marc Razzell Nick Portsmouth Nicole Pethybridge Roger Turnbull Steve Swanton Susie Turnbull Riders = 8 Weather: Report: After a week of constantly changing but fairly miserable weather forecasts, we got amazingly lucky with this one - remarkably warm and a mostly clear blue sky all afternoon. Admittedly, a bit breezy, but we coped well with that. It was good to welcome Marc to his first 2* ride with us. The route all went according to plan and was as fun as ever - it's always a good dramatic descent into the Thames valley and Aston Pottery did us proud on the cakes and drinks. We enjoyed the tiny hamlets and the sense of being beyond the middle of nowhere in the Thames flood plain south of Cote and it was very satisfying to end up on the footbridge over the Thames. There was a headwind challenge on Buckland Hill, but everyone managed it well. A really great ride with delightful company. Thanks to all for being there!
Distance: 61.16 km (38.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/28685102
the peloton racing around Shifford and Chimney the peloton racing around Shifford and Chimney the peloton racing around Shifford and Chimney the peloton racing around Shifford and Chimney the obscure bridge over the Thames south of Chimney the obscure bridge over the Thames south of Chimney
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28677261"
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Tue Oct 16th 2018

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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: Jason Jones John Davies Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Report: The rains cleared and slightly warm temperatures returned for a very pleasant evenings ride. We decided that maximising time in the woods would be a good idea, and so we sampled those near Lockinge, Harwell and Rowstock. Interspersed with a climb up Betterton, dropping to Lands End and climbing back to Scutchamers Knob, dropping to Harwell. After all this, a pint at the Kings Arms went down very nicely thank you.
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
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Wed Oct 17th 2018

Turbo Training

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader.
Riders: David Talboys Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Sheryl Hibberd Riders = 10 Report:
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Sat Oct 20th 2018

Autumn colours from Woodcote 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Woodcote village hall car park, SU645822
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. A change of scenery this month with a seasonal visit to the Chiltern Beechwoods to enjoy the early autumn colours (weather permitting). Meet us for a 2pm start from the small car park by the village hall on the village green in Woodcote (GR SU645822) for a leisurely afternoon ride of about 16 miles. We'll follow a meandering route visiting the Maharajah's Well at Stoke Row before heading down through the woods to Sonning Common for a tea stop at the Herb Centre cafe. We'll return via Kidmore End and Gallowstree Common. Some gradual ups and downs but no major hills. Please bring your camera! Lights recommended (as it can be quite dark in the trees), although we should have finished well before sunset. If you fancy a longer ride, why not cycle out to join us? Please let Steve know you are planning to come (so that we know when everyone's arrived). Woodcote is about 35 minutes drive (20 miles) from Wantage via the A417 to Streatley, Goring and Crays Pond.
Riders: Carin Tranter Diana Whidborne John Tranter Lorna Swanton Louise Moggach Maeve Moggach Marielle Moggach Martin Hook Martyn Wigmore Michael Tayler Philip Blampied Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Riders = 13 Weather: Report: 13 riders on a glorious autumn afternoon to enjoy the colours.
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)
A brief history lesson at the Maharajah's well 1* riders at Maharajah's well, Oct 2018 Glorious autumn sunshine through the beechwoods - Oct 2018 One of several narrow lanes ridden nr Checkendon - Oct 2018
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28772033"
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Sun Oct 21st 2018

Regular Wantage ride	3*

Leader: Jenny Gower	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. All-day touring ride (80-100km / 50-65 miles), 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. Leaving Wantage we'll ride out to Lambourn via Hackpen hill and then onto Baydon, Aldbourne and a back way into Marlborough. On to Honeystreet via Manton for an earlyish lunch stop at the Mill cafe. A slightly flatter route back through Pewsey, Burgbage, Great and Little Bedwyn, Hungerford and then back over a couple of hills via Lambourn to Wantage. If you are planning on joining this ride could you let me know by end of Thursday so that I can hopefully book a table for lunch.
Riders: Andy Pixton Jenny Gower Joy Arthur Paul Bentley Terry Penn Riders = 5 Report: What a fantastic day! We were blessed by the weather gods and had only a very light breeze and beautiful sunshine all day. It was a fresh start with a bit of fog, but once we got to the top of Hackpen hill all had cleared. The morning was a bit of a hill fest with the aforementioned Hackpen, then Baydon, then Stock lane out of Aldbourne, followed by more undulating terrain. Lunch stop at the Mill Cafe in Honeystreet where more people were sitting outside rather than in. The afternoon was (slightly) flatter, but still populated with a few inclines. As we were coming through Eastbury on the way home it seemed silly not to stop for a cup of tea and a bit of malt loaf at the Eastbury cafe, otherwise known as Jenny and Terry's. This fortified us all for the last 50 mins of the journey back to Wantage. Great day out and thank you all for your company
Distance: 111.70 km (69.41 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28768311"
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Mon Oct 22nd 2018

Cycling UK Wantage AGM

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Challow and Childrey Cricket Club
Description: The 2018 Cycling UK Wantage AGM will be held as follows: Logistics: Date - Monday 22nd October 2018 Time - 19.00 for food, 19:45 for business Location - Challow and Childrey Cricket Club, Vicarage Hill, East Challow, Wantage, OX12 9RR Food details: The Cricket Club has a good bar and we are bringing in the food courtesy of Smarts fish and chip shop in Grove (under new management, but they seem keen). Menu choices are given below, please let me know your choices by THURSDAY 18th OCTOBER so I can pre-order with the shop. Exact money on the night please. cod and chips Â£4.50 pie and chips Â£3.80 (steak & kidney, mince & onion or chicken pie) pasty and chips Â£3.80 spring roll and chips Â£3.00 (v) Please deduct Â£1.50 if you do not want the chips. (v = vegetarian) Please let me know at: john@tranters.net Agenda: 1. Open and apologies for absence 2. Minutes of 2017 AGM 3. Matters arising from 2017 AGM 4. Chairman's Report 5. Ride Secretary's Report 6. Membership Secretary's Report 7. Treasurer's Report 8. Publicity Report 9. Oxfordshire Cycling Network Update 9. Election of Committee Members for 2018-19 10. Motions for AGM Discussion (if any) 11. Presentation of Trophies 12. Close The following people have indicated they are willing to stand in the roles shown for next year: Chairman & Membership Secretary: John Tranter Secretary: Jo Little Treasurer: Roger Postbeschild Rides Secretary: Jon Townsin Publicity: Steve Boreham General Committee Members: Steve Swanton, Karen Townsin, Stephanie Haddrell, Diana Whidborne If there are any additional nominations, please provide a proposer and seconder to Sara (secretary@ctcwantage.org.uk) by MONDAY 15th OCTOBER at the latest. Any member can put forward a Motion for discussion at the AGM. Again, please submit any Motions to Sara (secretary@ctcwantage.org.uk) by MONDAY 15th OCTOBER at the latest. I really encourage as many of you as possible to come along to the AGM - it is a very useful way to get a good overview of what the Club does and how things are progressing.
Riders: Andy Cowan Andy Pixton Barry Stanton Carin Tranter Clare Hazell David Bridge David Jackson David Lynch David Smith David Talboys Des Higgs Diana Whidborne Gareth Smith James Bosley Jan McCabe Jane John John Groves John Hibberd John Tranter Jon Townsin Julie Haynes Karen Townsin Karl Blake Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Nick Dunton Nick Portsmouth Paul Jarvis Pete Wrench Phil Ward Robin Tucker Roger Postbeschild Sara Ward Sian Mitchell Stephanie Haddrell Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Val Smith Yvonne Bird Riders = 40 Report: Thanks to all who attended. The business was concluded as communicated beforehand and the new Committee is established as proposed. It only remains to reveal the winners of the two Club prizes, Best Club Person and Best Newcomer: For Best Club Person, the Committee was very clear that this needed to go to the wonderful Des Higgs. Des is a stalwart of the Club and the sort of person who is always going to go the extra mile (sometimes literally) and help out with what ever is needed. Of course, his lovely wife Chris and her amazing cakes feature in there somewhere too! In some ways Best Newcomer was slightly more difficult, but only because we have had a very strong set of people riding with us for the first time this year and making their mark. So we decided to give honourable mentions to: - James Bosley - Clare Hazell - Julie Haynes But the winner is Di Whidborne for her amazing attendance on so many 1* and 2* rides this year and her wonderfully positive approach to club life.
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Tue Oct 23rd 2018

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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: Bruce Winney David Yearley Riders = 2 Report:
Distance: 30.00 km (18.64 mi)
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Wed Oct 24th 2018

Turbo Training

Leader: Jane John	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Barry Stanton David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John John Hibberd Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Richard Saunders Sheryl Hibberd Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Report: Developing top end speed - 'beating your mate in the sprint for the town sign on your next ride.' Three sets of a mix of sprinting and soft pedalling with an autumn themed play list.
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Sat Oct 27th 2018

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: David Bridge	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: 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. Route Out to Coleshill cafe via Charney Basset, Hatford and the Coxwells. Return via Shrivenham, Longcot and Uffington
Riders: David Bridge Des Higgs Karl Blake Riders = 3 Report: There were only 3 of us so we just had a quick ride round. The cafe at Coleshill is now closed so we agreed to come back via Shrivenham
Distance: 48.28 km (30.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28798166"
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Sun Oct 28th 2018

Easy on a Sunday Morning Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: Goring, Manor Road
Description: A final ride in our 'Easy on a Sunday' series for less experienced off-road riders. We'll start a bit further from home for this one. But it will be worth it because the tracks through the woods near Goring and Woodcote are superb - twisting gently through the trees, not too hilly and finishing along the river. The ride will be 18-20 miles long, and aim to finish in time for a late lunch (whether in the pub or heading for home). The trees protect from some rain, but mud is possible and a mountain bike in good condition with knobbly tyres is recommended. Start point is Manor Road, Goring just past Long Meadow (https://goo.gl/maps/cRjJdEidJHE2). Some people will have space in cars, so please email me if you plan to come and I will try to match people with space with people needing a lift! Robin
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28849501"
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Tue Oct 30th 2018

RIDE CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - CANCELLED - NO RIDE LEADERS AVAILABLE - 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.
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Wed Oct 31st 2018

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. I thought it was about time we got out on those hills, so tonight's session will feature a series of climbs, both in and out of the saddle.
Riders: Barry Stanton David Talboys Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Richard Saunders Sara Ward Sheryl Hibberd Yvonne Bird Riders = 16 Report: Record turnout tonight, prompting Yvonne's suggestion to split the group . Hard to take seriously when she's wearing fangs and a forked tail . John was on form, naming the track and artist before the intro was done. Well done everyone for some serious out of the saddle climbing. Sorry no pic - upside down
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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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