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Sat Aug 24th 2019
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.

We haven't been to Abingdon or conquered Boars Hill for a while - so this ride puts that right. We take a direct route across to Steventon and through Drayton to Abingdon. We could have an early coffee stop there (venue to be decided) or we could crack on - let's decide on the day. We then head out to the lovely village of Sunningwell and do the one climb of the day up Bayworth Hill to the side of Boars Hill. The reward is some great views down to the dreaming spires of Oxford. The other reward is a stonking descent on the back road off Boars Hill all the way down to Wootton. Then a wiggle over the A420 to Besselsleigh and familiar roads back to Appleton, Hinton Waldrist and Pusey before a final run through Stanford in the Vale (providing an alternative late coffee stop option) and home.

37 miles and one hill - perfect!
Report:
On a very hot Bank Holiday weekend, you never quite know who's going to turn up - in the event it was a great group (although we need to give a special mention to James, who mis-read the start time, was half an hour late and spent most of the route catching us up!)

Going east is sometimes a bit stressful in terms of traffic busy-ness, but thankfully the roads were quiet and we enjoyed the run through Steventon, Drayton and Abingdon without incident. Everyone managed the big climb up Bayworh Hill well and the views down from the top of Boars Hill of the distant dreaming spires of Oxford were well worth it (fun fact - the "dreaming spires" quote is from Matthew Arnold's poem 'Thyrsis' written in 1866 and it is thought it is this exact view he was referring to).

After that we were able to turn away from the slightly nagging headwind and enjoy some wind assistance along the quiet road through Appleton, Hinton Waldrist and Pusey to get to the Stanford coffee shop in good time to enjoy their epic refreshments before they closed.

Thanks to all for your company and for a great ride.
Distance:
59.55 km (37.00 mi)
Ride Details:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/39012200
Oxford's dreaming spires from Boars Hill
Oxford's dreaming spires from Boars Hill
2* group admiring the view from Boars Hill
2* group admiring the view from Boars Hill
Comment on this ride

1

Written by : Paul Bentley

Posted on : August 25, 2019 at 9:56 AM

Thanks John, good ride!

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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