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Sat Apr 27th 2019
2* Saturday Half Day Ride - OXFORD SPECIAL 2*
Leader:
John Tranter
Start Time:
1:00 pm
Start Location:
OMH
Description:
WEATHER UPDATE: Storm Hannah is passing through but the worst will be past in the morning. Looks like the ride will be mostly dry, but with a strong westerly wind. This means we will be wind-assisted to Oxford, but will have some work to do into a headwind on the way back. So - the ride is ON!

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.

This is a 2* ride that has pretty much everything! We head out via Charney Bassett and discover the nifty Southmoor footbridge - the safest way to cross the A420. Then we follow the quiet road parallel to the A420 all the way to Cumnor and swoop down Cumnor Hill to the edge of Oxford. From there we utilise a a super cunning bike-safe transit of the A420/A34 Botley junction to head north for a lovely circuit around Port Meadow before heading back into town via Wolvercote to my very own St Cross College for a VIP coffee stop. You can only get in if you are a friend of the Bursar, with catering from the fine cafes of St Giles. Then there is more fun with my most cunning bike track and riverside route out of town to the west, before the climb of Cumnor Hill. We head for home via Wootton, Tubney and Fyfield.

At just over 40 miles, it is a long ride for an afternoon, but we have a few short cut options in the final section which we can use if necessary. I don't expect to be back before 5.30pm. Having said that, there are very few hills and we will stick to a steady 2* pace.
Report:
A lot of scrutinising of weather forecasts went on beforehand, but in the end we avoided the worst of Storm Hannah. My goodness, it was a bit breezy though!

As always, it's surprising and encouraging to see so many people prepared to turn out in less than ideal weather and a good group gathered. The route to Oxford was largely wind assisted and we enjoyed the loop around Port Meadow and the intriguing sights of leafy north Oxford before our coffee stop at St Cross College, with catering from Green's Cafe.

Suitably refuelled, we braved the mild chaos of NCN5 through the centre of town until we got to the tranquility of the riverside path across to North Hincksey. Then we just had Cumnor Hill into a headwind to deal with - which everyone did, extremely well! Fortunately, the wind had died down a little for our headwind bash home so the final miles were quickly ticked off.

Thanks to all - it was a fun afternoon!
Distance:
65.98 km (41.00 mi)
Ride Details:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/34019916
St Cross College tea stop.
St Cross College tea stop.
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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.
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