Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Mar 2nd 2019

3* Saturday Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Jo 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. This ride is deferred from 2nd February - which was cancelled because of deep snow. Hopefully we'll have better cycling conditions this time. This ride will pass through Denchworth and Charney Bassett, then across the A420, down Buckland Hill and through Bampton. It will skirt round Lechlade and go through Coleshill then back across the A420 to Fernham and Uffington. We'll then go along the spring line to Wantage for a cafe stop at either The Bay Tree or Costa, if people wish. The first three quarters of the ride is flat, with all the climbing concentrated in the last 10 miles. The ride is just under 40 miles and we should be in Wantage by 1pm. Please note this ride will finish at Wantage.
Riders: Barry Stanton David Jackson Des Higgs Eddie Little James McGuigan Jerry Bird Jo Little John Tranter Karl Blake Paul Bentley Philip Blampied Stephanie Haddrell Yvonne Bird Riders = 13 Weather: Report: A good group of people collected for the ride today. The sun came out towards the end of the ride, though the headwind was hard work at times. Thank you to Jerry and Phil who provided a wind break for me in the tough parts! The countryside looked beautiful as we passed through some lovely villages. Some of the roads had lots of potholes and were in a bad state of repair, which led to one puncture that was quickly dealt with. The hills took a bit of effort at the end of the ride, but everyone managed them ok. Happy Birthday to Barry. Thank you to Eddie for sweeping.
Distance: 64.00 km (39.77 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29199573"
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Tue Mar 5th 2019

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: Robin Tucker Riders = 1 Weather: Report: It was just me and the weather was bad, the kind of wet rain that permeates your waterproofs. So it was once round the marketplace (really!) and then back home.
Distance: 0.20 km (0.12 mi)
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Wed Mar 6th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Katherine Boyce	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. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jon Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce LeeAnn Norris Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report: The lady of the art cupboard made another appearance tonight. The lady of the short cut didn't! Congratulations to Jon for getting the playlist link and to everyone else for grinding through those 10 minute intervals
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Thu Mar 7th 2019

Daytime 1* Ride Series	1*

Leader: Lorna Swanton	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. Out via Denchworth to Lyford, Charney Basset and Gainfield, hoping to see some March hares along the way. Coffee at Stanford before returning via Park Lane and Asti Equestrian.
Riders: Barry Stanton Carin Tranter Des Higgs Diana Whidborne Eddie Little Karl Blake Lizzie Long Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Roger Postbeschild Riders = 10 Weather: Report: A blustery wind made this more of a challenge than might have been expected, and the leader's puncture 2 minutes from Old Mill Hall delayed the start (a reminder to check tyres regularly, not just for pressure but for thorns etc!). Overall, though, a nice sociable ride with a stop at the excellent Stanford Coffee Shop, and double-quick glide back along smooth Park Lane with the wind at our backs. Huge thanks to Karl, assisted by Roger and Martyn, for mechanical first aid at the start (it takes me MUCH longer than that to replace an inner tube), and thanks to Eddie for sweeping.
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29440450"
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Sat Mar 9th 2019

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: John Tranter	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. Apologies - last minute change of leader needed, so a bit of a scramble to put a route together. Keeping it simple - a classic flat loop around the west Vale. Out to Uffington, then to Longcot, along to Shellingford and Hatford, up to Charney Bassett and back through West Hanney. Weather forecast is windy but sunny. Headwind out and tailwind home is definitely the right way round! I'm proposing not to stop for a coffee break, but we can be flexible and see how we are going. 27 miles.
Riders: Barry Stanton David Jackson Des Higgs James Bosley Jo Little John Groves John Tranter Karl Blake Nick Portsmouth Nigel Hughes Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 12 Weather: Report: Well, the weather forecast was half right - it was VERY windy! Not so sunny though - a lot of cloud and a few showers to contend with. But - a great group gathered regardless and stayed together well in all the buffeting. A simple flat ride became quite a work out, although the tail wind sections were definitely fun. We had a bonus moment when Olivia spotted us as she was out riding (her horse) and took a a few photos from the Goosey Horse-cam perspective. Well done to everyone for conquering the conditions and thanks for a great ride! PS: fun fact (as far as I can glean from various online sources): a head wind of 20mph (roughly what we had on quite a few exposed sections) is equivalent to a 5% gradient, in terms of effort required.
Distance: 45.06 km (28.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/32293749
Hatford selfie The 2* peloton in Hatford The 2* peloton in Hatford 2* peloton in Goosey, from Olivia's Horse-cam 2* peloton in Goosey, from Olivia's Horse-cam 2* peloton in Goosey, from Olivia's Horse-cam
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29451285"
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Tue Mar 12th 2019

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 Brown David Yearley Michael Zywko Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Report:
Distance: 24.00 km (14.91 mi)
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Wed Mar 13th 2019

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. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Yvonne Bird Riders = 10 Report: A series of climbs both in and out of the saddle tonight, to build on the climbing work of the previous 2 weeks. Well done all. Some excellent quizzing too, but not quite good enough to guess the connection; Victoria Coren-Mitchell watch out! Looking forward to the last in the series ably led by Sara next week. BTW It was song titles with brackets (of course).
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Thu Mar 14th 2019

Committee Meeting

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description:
Riders: Diana Whidborne Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Report:
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Thu Mar 14th 2019

RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 1* Ride Series	1*

Leader: Carin Tranter	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - The weather is very windy so I am going to cancel this morningâ€™s ride. - Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. The weather is windy, rainy and changeable so I have decided to do the simple route to Ardingdon with a coffee stop at the Grocer Chef and return down the hill past Lains Barn. 12 miles
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29462109"
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Sat Mar 16th 2019

Windward Ho!	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
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. Sat 8:30 - THE RIDE IS ON! Update Fri 15/03: With gusty winds forecast from around noon, a change of plan including a 10am start. Not a day for an awayday, so we'll start from Grove and make a simple circuit in the Vale with a possible coffee stop in Wantage at the end. Please keep an eye on the website in case of cancellation first thing on Saturday.
Riders: David Jackson Des Higgs Diana Whidborne Karl Blake Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: In previous years I would have cancelled the ride. Now with a strong 1* Daytime group that has cycled through the winter, I knew there would be a few up for a ride, despite the windy conditions. Even so, it was great to have 9 out. The first leg to Lyford was relatively easy - we enjoyed the tailwind as we headed north. After a brief rest and photo stop in Lyford, we then turned into the wind. Things now became appreciably harder and then harder still as we turned left in Charney Bassett and on to Goosey. The worst stretch by far was into the wind, without shelter across Goosey green. We stopped for a rest in the shelter of a wall the other side and my legs were burning as if we'd just climbed to the Ridgeway. Fortunately the section along the A417 and then up the B4000 to Childrey proved more sheltered and less arduous than expected. Nevertheless there was a concensus for an early stop and rest in the Childrey village stores. This was my first time in the new cafÃ©, which is excellent. For the ride back to Wantage via the track to East Challow and the Portway we again had a tailwind and we barely pedalled along the track as the wind pushed us along. As we returned to Grove via Stockham, Adkin Way and the A338 cyclepath (to avoid the cross winds by the airfield) the sun even came out. Thanks everyone for your company on a blustery ride. It was great to beat the weather.
Distance: 24.94 km (15.50 mi)
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Sun Mar 17th 2019

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
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. With the extra light of March, comes the opportunity to stretch our legs. This month we're off to South Cerney for lunch. Although the ride is a tad over 100km it is flat - only 550 metres of climbing. We'll take advantage of the early Sunday morning roads and head down the A417 to Baulking, over to Shrivenham and then bypass Highworth and down to Castle Eaton. After an early lunch at South Cerney Visitor Centre, we tackle the flat lands above Lechlade, turning towards home at Alvescot and a tea stop at Bampton Garden Centre. Energised for the last hill to Buckland, we'll then skip over the A420 and the standard route back to Grove then Wantage.
Riders: Barry Stanton David Smith Des Higgs Eddie Little James Bosley Jo Little John Tranter Karl Blake Katherine Boyce LeeAnn Norris Nicole Pethybridge Paul Bentley Richard Pethybridge Ursula Hallam Riders = 14 Weather: Report: I had decided to ignore Saturdays wet and very windy gale and believe in the weather forecast and it did not let me down . Whilst it was windy going out to South Cerney, we had barely a hail stone or hint of rain, a lovely day. I had been concerned that no one would turn up and I'd be on my own, so it was lovely to see a crowd waiting by King Alfred. Not long after crossing the A420, we were into lesser cycled territory, through the lovely villages of Sevenhampton and Stanton Fitzwarren - definitely ones to visit again. Castle Eaton was soon reached and Des informed us that the village pub was the first on the Thames. Lunch at The Information Centre at South Cerney was swift and efficient, especially considering how busy it was. And then the swifter return, the delightful tail wind helping us along. Bampton garden centre was busy and not as efficient as lunch and then before we knew it people were peeling off to return home and we were in the market square. All happy with a day spent in good company on an interesting route. Some rides are more memorable than others and this one had 3 altercations with motorists and many more very patient, polite and thoughtful motorists. Who knows why Sunday motorists on relatively quiet roads would be so out-of-sorts! Thanks to David for acting as Sweep and Eddie for riding from back to front when we got strung out and communication was needed
Distance: 104.00 km (64.62 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/2220930445
Post-lunch at the Cotswold Water Park
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29463218"
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1

Written by : Ursula

Posted on : March 17, 2019 at 6:20 PM

Awesome leading into the wind all the way west Katherine! Thanks! ðŸ’šðŸš´â€â™€ï¸ðŸš´â€â™‚ï¸

Tue Mar 19th 2019

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.
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Wed Mar 20th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Sara Ward	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. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. Last in series See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Des Higgs John Hibberd Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Phil Ward Sara Ward Riders = 6 Report: Being somewhat worse for wear following a tumble on the track at the weekend, I really appreciated apologies for absence from several regulars, critical secondary leadership from Phil on the rollers and general bonhomie of the group. A strong and committed crew tackled some challenging (and long) intervals aimed at getting 'back on the road'. Everyone got stuck in adding some smooth surges while working at tempo plus as preparation for holding the wheel that wheel in front during group riding. Here's to the summer season!
Distance: 23.00 km (14.29 mi)
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Thu Mar 21st 2019

Daytime 1* Ride Series	1*

Leader: Diana Whidborne	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. I plan to head out towards Challow and then the Letcombes. I will try the route out and come back with more detail before next Thursday
Riders: Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves Karl Blake Lizzie Long Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Roger Postbeschild Ron Cutler Riders = 11 Report: A very relaxed peaceful ride after the blustery few weeks before hand Good to see Ron, his first time out with the mid week group From Grove we went to Denchworth, West Challow, Childrey to Letcombe Bassett and enjoyed going down Holborn Hill to Letcombe Regis and stopping for coffee at the Richmond Retirement Home. Very enjoyable ride that we could of carried on for longer.
Distance: 22.05 km (13.70 mi)
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Sat Mar 23rd 2019

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: Jon Townsin	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. We're off to Lambourn via The Letcombes and Hackpen Hill. No sooner we're down off the Ridgeway than we're heading back up a gentle climb, past Ashdown House and down Ashbury Hill. We'll stop for refreshment at Ashbury village cafe before heading east along the spring line, as far as Compton Beauchamp. From there it's a gentle amble across the vale and back via Denchworth. A ride of just over 50 km at 2 star pace and we'll be stopping at the top of hills and Ashdown House. Please let me know by text if you're planning to come so I can advise the cafe.
Riders: Barry Stanton Chris Bailey David Jackson Des Higgs Guy Yeates Jane John John Groves John Tranter Jon Townsin Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Nicole Pethybridge Paul Bentley Philip Blampied Richard Pethybridge Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Riders = 17 Weather: Report: A pleasantly spring like day with more sun than was promised ! 17 riders in all turned out so we split the ride for the route out of Wantage but regrouped in the quieter roads. A warm welcome back for Guy who hasn't risen with us for a while. Everyone coped well with the climbs including the grind up the back of the escarpment! The tea rooms at Ashbury gave us a fright by posting on top of the Ridgeway that they don't open on Saturdays! Luckily they did and coffee, tea and cakes were enjoyed, although I think we overwhelmed them, if speed of service is a measure!
Distance: 50.00 km (31.07 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29451146"
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Tue Mar 26th 2019

Tuesday Evening Off Road Ride	2*

Leader: David Brown	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.
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Thu Mar 28th 2019

Daytime 1* Ride Series	1*

Leader: Martyn Wigmore	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. A Slightly longer flat ride this week via Charney Bassett to Hinton Wandrist then Pusey and Standford in the Vale for coffee before heading back to Grove.
Riders: Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves John Hogston Karl Blake Lizzie Long Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Mike Bailey Paul Bentley Roger Postbeschild Tim Parr Riders = 14 Report: Slightly longer but steady ride with a stop off to look at a patch of wild garlic.
Distance: 29.77 km (18.50 mi)
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Sat Mar 30th 2019

3* Fifth Saturday Special - Wiltshire Wander	3*

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Shrivenham, Car Park off Marten's Road
Description: 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. Free car park (but alas no toilets) at Shrivenham https://goo.gl/maps/dvnUCJnArPm A wander West out of Oxfordshire and onto the quiet backroads of East Wiltshire ending up in Malmesbury for lunch. The return is in similar style, partially along the Wiltshire Cycleway, through Purton and back to the start via Highworth. This is a pretty flat ride with only three (I think) noteworthy climbs at Wroughton, Purton and Highworth - and one particular descent (Clyffe Pypard) where caution is needed. Possible early coffee stop at Chiseldon may be appreciated if it's a cold start! I would be grateful if you could let me know if you intend to ride this one, but don't let that stop anyone turning up on the day!
Riders: Hugo Pile John Groves John Tranter Louis Hall Nick Stokell Philip Blampied Roger Postbeschild Riders = 7 Weather: Report: Lovely sunny day for a ride, with a slight West wind to help us on the ride back and lots of birdlife on display! We eschewed the early coffee stop at Chiseldon and pushed on to Wroughton and up the long climb to the Science Museum hangar at top of the ridge to re-group. Clyffe Pypard claimed another victim on the descent but happily Phil escaped with a grazed elbow! (I'm beginning to think this hill is jinxed). After that it was an uneventful ride along quiet lanes to Malmesbury where a 7 seat table was rapidly located at the newly-extended Summer Cafe. Despite the staff's warning the service seemed quicki and we were soon back on our bikes. The return ride was marred only by a clutch of idiot close-passing motorists on the outskirts of the Swindon metropolis, but fortunately nobody was injured, and we were back at Shrivenham much earlier than I had expected (at 1430). Thank you to everyone for your company and conversation - very enjoyable. And I don't think I picked up a speeding ticket !
Distance: 86.00 km (53.44 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/32986758
Lunch at the Summer Cafe Lunch at the Summer Cafe Lunch with Mr G in the Summer Cafe Shrivenham selfie
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12554961"
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1

Written by : Roger Postbeschild

Posted on : March 30, 2019 at 6:07 PM

Thanks Nick, great route and even better weather!

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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