Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sun Nov 3rd 2019

3* Saturday Half Day Ride DATE/TIME CHANGED TO SUNDAY 3/11/19/	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. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE CANCELLED THIS RIDE FOR TODAY 2/11/19/ BUT WILL RUN THIS RIDE TOMORROW SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER. 09:30am OLD MILL HALL. UPDATED 2/11/19/ Ed. We'll head out via West Hanney, then passing on through Southmoor, Northmoor, Stanton Harcourt,Yelford & Cote. We'll have a tea stop either at Aston Pottery or Bampton Garden Centre. Once we have refuelled on tea & cake we'll head on up Buckland Hill via Charney Bassett arriving back in Grove for around 12:45pm Ride Distance 58km/36mi. Route Checked, 27/10/19/ Hopefully see you on the ride. Weather permitting! Ed
Riders: Barry Stanton Ben Trimble Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jenny Gower Jo Little John Groves Joy Arthur Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Roger Postbeschild Roger Turnbull Susie Turnbull Terry Penn Riders = 15 Weather: Report: Report to Follow.
Distance: 57.94 km (36.00 mi)
3* riders enjoying hot drinks & cake at Bampton Garden Centre.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31389260"
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Tue Nov 5th 2019

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader:	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 Nov 6th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Jane John	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
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: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Lisa Footner Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Report: Jane's fiery theme for the music to accompany our slogs up the hills.
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Thu Nov 7th 2019

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Carin Tranter	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. Standard route to East Hendred. Coffee stop at Q Gardens and back via Steventon Hill, Cow Common, Hanney and Denchworth. About 19 miles.
Riders: Carin Tranter Des Higgs John Groves Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Patrick O'Leary Paul Bentley Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Susan Holdroyd Riders = 10 Weather: Report: A fine cold sunny morning for a ride but with a brisk wind. Against the wind over Cow Common on the return from Steventon and from West Hanney to Denchworth I was grateful for the assistance in riding into the wind. Only one puncture but Martyn caught us up at Q gardens lingering over our coffees and teas. Thanks to Roger for sweeping. A good ride!
Distance: 30.58 km (19.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31419078"
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Sun Nov 10th 2019

2* Sunday Half Day Ride CHANGED!	2*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	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. FORECAST FOR TOMORROW IS POSSIBLE FROST FOLLOWED BY CERTAIN RAIN. FROM THE ONLY FEEDBACK RECEIVED, I AM AMENDING TO SUNDAY, SAME TIME, SAME PLACE. COFFEE NOW AT ASTON POTTERIES AND WE WILL STOP TO OBSERVE A REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SILENCE AT 11.00.
Riders: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Diana Whidborne Karl Blake Martin Casey Paul Bentley Pauline Casey Roger Postbeschild Riders = 8 Report: Well, I looked on a bit anxiously yesterday as the promised rain took a little longer than expected to arrive. Arrive, however, it very much did! Hence the move to Sunday. After a greyish start and a detour through the estate to avoid the Remembrance Day road closure, we had pretty much wall-to-wall sunshine to go with an awful lot of puddles. Great Brook is still closed, deeper than ever and the road just outside Hanney was just starting to show signs of flooding, much improved after the extensive work carried out last year. We arrived at Aston Pottery shortly after 10.30 and were all comfortably seated with refreshments when the two minute silence was observed, Big Ben chimes and The Last Post courtesy of the cafe. It was good to be joined by Martin and Pauline Casey, who managed to negotiate the bridge at Southmoor with their tandem!
Distance: 53.00 km (32.93 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31439534
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31439534"
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Mon Nov 11th 2019

Committee Meeting

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A good meeting!
Riders: Diana Whidborne Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Steve Boreham Riders = 6 Report:
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Tue Nov 12th 2019

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader:	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 Michael Zywko Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Report:
Distance: 28.00 km (17.40 mi)
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Wed Nov 13th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
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 John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Report: A series of climbs in and out of the saddle tonight. John gets the music prize and Eddie the gold star for loading and unloading Thanks all. Now for my 72 hours of recovery
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1

Written by : Eddie Little

Posted on : November 14, 2019 at 9:26 PM

Team effort!!

Thu Nov 14th 2019

RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Lorna Swanton	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - Too wet for an enjoyable ride today. Let's hope for nice weather on Saturday! A loop of just over 15 miles through Wantage to the Letcombes, up Holborn Hill, then down to Childrey, Goosey and returning to Grove via Denchworth. The ride will end at the Cornerstone Cafe in Grove (Savile Way). Rain is forecast, so keep an eye on the website to check if we're going ahead. 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.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31455407"
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Sat Nov 16th 2019

1* Saturday Half Day Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	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. A ride to enjoy the Autumn colours east of Wantage with a tea stop at the Grocer Chef in Ardington.
Riders: David Jackson Des Higgs Eddie Little Karl Blake Martyn Wigmore Michael Tayler Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: At last, a rain-free Saturday! Eight others joined me for our monthly weekend 1* outing on what was still a dank and drear sort of day after all the recent rain. But the reward was to enjoy some beautiful Autumn colours, particularly in Ardington, Lockinge and on the climb up to Ginge (much of which we did twice). Colleagues had told me that the access to the farm track at Ginge was slippery, so a change of plan was called for. Instead of the loop through East Hendred and back up to the farm track, after the lovely swoop down from Ginge, we continued through West Hendred to the A417 and rode back to Ardington. Here, as something of a tease, we passed the cafÃƒÂ© and continued below the millennium wood back to Lockinge and climbed again up through the trees to Betterton. This time we turned sharp right to the top of the hill and then enjoyed the wonderful descent back into Ardington. We were in good time for a relaxed and cosy stop at the Grocer Chef, with excellent cakes and bakes. Suitably refreshed, after tea we climbed back over the hill to Lains Barn to enjoy our third long descent, this time back into the Vale. Alas, just after the last corner on Grove Park Lane, Steph realised she had a puncture. But with good teamwork, we were soon back on the road and quickly back into Grove. Thanks everyone for your company.
Distance: 24.62 km (15.30 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31409712"
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Sun Nov 17th 2019

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Jo Little	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. This ride will head from Wantage along the A417 to Childrey, then past Baulking and Fernham and through Watchfield and Highworth before heading out towards roads unknown (by me) going past Kempsford, Paulton and Quenington before stopping for lunch at Lechlade garden centre (62km/38 miles). We then head back on a well known route via Littleworth, Hatford and Stanford , Denchworth and then back to Wantage. 95km/59 miles but a fairly flat (538m elevation) route. Please note: this route has been changed slightly since originally put on here. We are now cutting off Quenington as it was very flooded when I did my test ride there at the weekend. The distance is now 59 miles, so not much change.
Riders: Eddie Little Jenny Gower Jo Little Joy Arthur Karl Blake Lisa Footner Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Terry Penn Riders = 10 Weather: Report: It was a very cold start to the day (and it didn't warm up all that much either) but we still had a good sized group to start the ride. The floods had vanished from the roads, which made cycling a lot more enjoyable, however many of the fields were still underwater. We visited some new villages and roads that people hadn't been through before, which made a welcome change - Fairford was especially scenic. The lunch stop at Lechlade garden centre was very welcome and very efficient. The last 20 miles went past quickly and we were soon back in Wantage. A longish ride for this time of year. Thank you to everyone for being such a good humoured group to lead.
Distance: 95.76 km (59.50 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31362605"
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Tue Nov 19th 2019

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader:	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 Nov 20th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
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: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Yvonne Bird Riders = 8 Report: A small but select group tonight for a series of intervals in sweet spot and beyond. Thanks to Yvonne for setting up and to Barry for his input. Chuffed to win points on 'guess the link'.
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Thu Nov 21st 2019

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	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. Gentle climb up to Childrey then Kingston Lisle and coffee at Stanford. About 20 miles.
Riders: David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne James Bosley John Groves Lizzie Long Martyn Wigmore Patrick O'Leary Roger Postbeschild Riders = 9 Report: A very chilly day, my Garmin recorded 3.2C with a fresh breeze. 8 riders set off, joined by Lizzie at Childrey. No dramas, some water under the railway bridge down from Kingston Lisle but quite passable. Stanford Coffee Shop was excellent as ever.
Distance: 32.90 km (20.44 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31471368
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31471368"
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Sat Nov 23rd 2019

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: WEATHER UPDATE, Friday evening: the forecast is not great, but it's also not terrible. I am going to tough it out and 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 re-run of the ride we had to cancel in October (but with a morning start to catch the daylight): I want to try out the new cafe in Lambourn, so the route will be south through the Letcombes and Hackpen Hill (don't worry - it is a kindly hill which gives you a rest on a flat bit half way up). The reward is a brilliant swoop down across the Downs to Lambourn. After refreshments, we will return along the back road to Ashbury. This is where school geography comes into play as we realise how gentle the slope is on the back side of an escarpment. The dramatic drop down Ashbury Hill shows off the other side before we pootle home through the Vale. 34 miles - a few hills, but well worth it and we will stick to a gentle 2* pace.
Riders: Des Higgs John Tranter Julie Haynes Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Richard Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Roger Turnbull Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: The forecast had been pretty dreadful all week, but we got a bit lucky on the day. It was grey and cold, but not raining when we set off, and with only a light easterly wind. The big climb of Hackpen Hill was dealt with well, although Steve succumbed to a puncture from a very nasty flint on Holborn and joined us later. We were rewarded with the big swoop down to Lambourn where we met up with Richard, who had cycled over from Newbury. Goodies Cafe is indeed very good! We were made very welcome and the cakes and coffee were first rate. But - eventually we had to drag ourselves outside again and set off for Ashbury. It is a lovely valley road and it's always amazing how little you notice the gentle slope up. We then set ourselves for the big descent of Ashbury, which was great fun but unfortunately Karl slid on a nasty wet manhole cover on a bend and had a heavy crash. A bit bloodied and bruised but fit to carry on after some recovery time. The route home was straightforward, through Shrivenham, Uffington and Goosey. Thanks to all for your company on a drizzly day!
Distance: 56.33 km (35.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/42215640
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31334795"
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1

Written by : Karl Blake

Posted on : November 24, 2019 at 6:55 PM

Many thanks to everyone on the ride for their assistance and medical care after my crash.
Wonâ€™t be doing that again lol
Many thanks again Karl

Tue Nov 26th 2019

Off Road Tuesday Evening 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 Nov 27th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Jane John	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
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: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report:
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Thu Nov 28th 2019

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Lizzie Long	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: Ride will start from my house in Westcot.
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 ride to Bloomfield's cafe in Shrivenham, with a wiggle round Woolstone and Shrivenham itself on the way there. There is a bridge to cross with lots of steps but never fear - they are deep and shallow and easy to go up and down. The only hill is at Fawler on the way back.... PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF START TIME TO 10:00. (Not sure if I've copied the RidewithGPS link properly.)
Riders: Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves Lizzie Long Martyn Wigmore Patrick O'Leary Paul Bentley Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 11 Weather: Report: We managed to catch a few hours of dry weather (unusual for lately!) for this ride, with just a few spots on the way back. The leader (ahem...) managed to go slightly wrong out of Uffington, but put herself right pretty soon, and we then enjoyed a smooth ride to Shrivenham, wiggling round through Woolstone. No-one was able to give me the correct number of steps over the railway bridge just south of Shrivenham (36), so no-one got the mystery prize. Roger's sausage roll was a long time coming in the cafe (were they killing the pig out the back?) but it arrived quickly after prompting the staff. Patrick had missed the change of start venue but joined us in the cafe. 6 riders peeled off at or before Uffington leaving 5 of us to return to Westcot. Di had a tumble onto the verge on the way home, caused by Carin I was told, but they are still speaking and the fall apparently was very ladylike with no injuries sustained. Thank you to Des for sweeping. My first time leading.....will they want me to do it again?
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31511838?privacy_code=xWfOQVEJQSfjcuBk"
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1

Written by : Paul Bentley

Posted on : November 29, 2019 at 6:13 AM

Good leader, enjoyable ride but missed me off the list!

Sat Nov 30th 2019

3* Fifth Saturday Special	2*

Leader: Richard Pethybridge	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Honesty Cafe, Greenham, RG19 6HW
Description: Hi everyone. In the good tradition of 5th Saturday rides I plan to run this one away from our normal hunting grounds of the Vale. The start will be at the Honesty at the Base cafe, address Communications Rd, Greenham Business Park, Thatcham RG19 6HW. This is on the south side of Greenham Common, not the control tower side! The cafe is open on Saturdays from 0800-1700, so early arrivals can get a coffee if required. The route is an exploration of the lanes to the south of Newbury through north Hampshire. We'll just stop for lunch (at Cobbs Farm Shop in Headbourne Worthy, slightly over halfway) due to the shortage of daylight. However, the cafe should still be open when we get back for a quick caffeine injection! If you are planning to ride please let me know - email or text to 07875 456521 - so that I can give the cafe a call with expected numbers.
Riders: Barry Stanton Eddie Little Jo Little Richard Pethybridge Roger Turnbull Yvonne Bird Riders = 6 Weather: Report: Well, that was a cold one! Congratulations to the five stalwarts who joined me for what turned out to be a lovely but very cold ride through the lanes of Hampshire. As one stage, as we descended at speed, into wind, through swathes of ice melting from the trees above us, the windchill factor was -10 deg C! Thankfully the sun did come out after the first couple of hours, and even its weak rays made an amazing difference. Lunch was very tasty at Cobbs', albeit slightly delayed by a busy cafe and the leader's failure to book ahead, but it gave everyone the opportunity to warm up. A decent hill immediately after the restart gave everyone the chance to recover from the cold shock of stepping back outside, as did the long climb up and over to Highclere. We returned to the start just as darkness was falling, content but looking forward to being back inside! Thanks to all who made it such an enjoyable ride.
Distance: 97.37 km (60.50 mi)
Downhill in -10 windchill! And then the sun came out...
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31520371"
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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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