Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Dec 3rd 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: 29.00 km (18.02 mi)
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Wed Dec 4th 2019

Turbo Training	1*

Leader: Jon 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 John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Riders = 8 Report:
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Thu Dec 5th 2019

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Des Higgs	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 thought it was time to visit Faringdon by a slightly different route. Only one climb up into the town, the rest is pretty flat. Cafe stop in Faringdon. Approx 20 miles.
Riders: Barry Eggby Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves Martyn Wigmore Patrick O'Leary Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 10 Weather: Report: A rather longer ride but nobody complained so it must have been ok. We were well looked after at the cafe in Faringdon and the rain stayed away. Thank you for being a good happy bunch and especial thanks to Roger for sweeping. Total 28 miles
Distance: 45.06 km (28.00 mi)
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Sun Dec 8th 2019

Annual Mince Pie Ride to White Horse Hill

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 11:15 am	Start Location: NT car park, White Horse Hill
Description: Our annual festive ride, which again is in aid of Whizz-Kidz, the children's mobility charity (see http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/). Guests and other cycling clubs are very welcome to join us at White Horse Hill NT car park (grid ref SU 293866) from 11:15 to 12:00 for mince pies and mulled wine. All proceeds on the day will go to Whizz-Kidz. If you would like to cycle with us, guest riders are most welcome. There will be on-road rides at 1, 2 and 3* grades and an off-road ride to choose from, leaving Wantage Market Place between 9:30 and 10:00. Further details of the rides will appear under the individual ride entries closer to the date. This is a very popular event, so please arrive in good time for registration, at least 10 minutes before your chosen ride. Afterwards the rides will continue for an optional pub lunch at the Fox in Denchworth. Please contact Di Whidborne to book a place (diana.whidborne@cyclingukwantage.org.uk). There will also be a ride directly back to Wantage. Car parking: If driving in to join rides from Wantage, there is free car parking in the Portway car park (by the Beacon, the former Civic hall) on Sundays, OX12 9BU. See http://beaconwantage.co.uk/contact and scroll to bottom of page for map. If you are unable to cycle, we would still love to see you at White Horse Hill. If driving, please use the road directly up to the NT car park from the cross-roads above Woolstone rather than the narrow Dragon Hill road being used by those cycling. This will be the 30th running of the Mince Pie Ride. It was started by Abingdon Wheelers in 1990 and we took over the event in 2000 when the previous organisers Val and Jim Worsley moved away from the area. From about 40 riders joining us in the car park in 2000 we now regularly host around 150.
Riders: Carin Tranter John Tranter Mandy Wassell Steve Boreham Riders = 4 Report:
Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019 Mince Pie Ride 2019
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Sun Dec 8th 2019

1* Mince Pie Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 9:45 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Our annual festive ride, which again is in aid of Whizz-Kidz, the children's mobility charity. Ride out with us to the NT car park at White Horse Hill, Uffington, for mince pies and mulled wine. For full details of the event see the "Annual Mince Pie Ride" entry. Meeting from 9:45 for a 10:00 start, the 1* ride will be a sociable ride at a leisurely pace leaving after the other groups. Please arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand to register. The 1* ride will follow the most direct route (about 8 miles) along the foot of the Downs through East Challow on to Childrey (via the track and bridleway), Sparsholt, Westcot and Kingston Lisle. There are some ups and downs along the B4507 before we reach the foot of Dragon Hill. Everyone will be able to have a go at cycling up. Even if you get off and push, it's worth it for the fantastic views over the Manger and the Vale below. We'll drop down into the main NT car park to join the other groups for mince pies and mulled wine. There will be a led ride retracing our tyre tracks back to Wantage after the meet.
Riders: Katie Gillibrand Kerry Tucker Liz Snook Martin Bate Martyn Wigmore Mitchell Purvis Nick Portsmouth Patrick O'Leary Peter Hallowell Roger Postbeschild Ros Hallowell Steve Swanton Tony Botto Riders = 13 Weather: Report: Report and a few pictures to come.
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Sun Dec 8th 2019

2* Mince Pie Ride	2*

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: The 2* route takes us out via Denchworth and Charney Bassett, along Fernham Road through Shellingford and on towards White Horse Hill via Uffington. Well fuelled, we'll be coming back via Baulking Lane and Denchworth where those of us who are dining at The Fox, stop here whilst the others can head back to Wantage via the plane on a stick. Our annual festive ride, which again is in aid of Whizz-Kidz, the children's mobility charity.
Riders: Brian Hipwell David Jackson Des Higgs Gareth Smith Jon Townsin Julie Haynes Karen Townsin Karl Blake Martin Casey Nicole Pethybridge Pauline Casey Stephanie Haddrell Val Smith Riders = 13 Report:
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31567397"
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Sun Dec 8th 2019

3* Mince Pie Ride	3*

Leader: Eddie Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Our annual festive ride, which again is in aid of Whizz-Kidz, the children's mobility charity. Secondary ride leader, Jo Little. We'll head out of Wantage passing through the Letcombes, then we'll have a nice descent into Childrey, from this point the ride becomes flat & we'll pass through some nice villages, Sparsholt, Westcot, Kingston Lisle, Baulking, Fernham, Longcot & Woolstone. From Woolstone we'll have our first short but sharp climb up to the spring Line, turning left then right & head for our big climb, Dragon Hill!! ETA for White Horse Hill car park, 11:20am. This is where we'll all indulge in mulled wine & mince pies. + catch-up with old friends! Ride distance, 33km/ 20mi/ Route Checked. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the departure time for regerstration + briefing! Ride departs 09:30am. I will be leading a ride back via Baulking & Goosey, stopping at the Fox at Denchworth for our Christmas dinner, those who are not dining with us can carry on through to Grove & Wantage. The weather can be a little unpredictable at this time of year, so this route may change or the ride cancelled! So please keep an eye on this website & Facebook on the day of this ride for updates! Look forward in seeing you on the ride,Ed.
Riders: Andy Cowan David Smith Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Davies 2 Joy Arthur LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Nicole Pethybridge Peter Brodie Peter Cowan Roger Turnbull Sharon Bedford Simon Atkin Ursula Hallam Yvonne Bird Riders = 17 Weather: Report: An excellent turn out for this ride, 23 riders. 17 from our club and 6 guest riders, CTC & Abingdon Wheeler's. Tony Long Andy Pope, Andy Raturidge, Mary Jane Hicks, Morris - Allsworth & Thomas Hardcastle. Thank you all for joining us on this ride. Hope to see you all next year! We ran two groups for this ride with Jo leading the second group & Jane & Yvonne acting as sweeps. We were lucky that the sun was shining, but we all had to contend with a very strong head wind which proved to be very testing for all of us!!Hats off to all riders. We all arrived at the White Horse NT car park in good time to enjoy Carins home made mulled wine & some very tasty mince pies. We all made our way through to the Fox at Denchworth where 30 of us enjoyed a festive meal. Many thanks to Jo for being secondary leader & many thanks to Jane & Yvonne for sweeping. Happy Christmas & have a fantastic new year! hopefully see you on a ride next year, Ed.
Distance: 45.06 km (28.00 mi)
3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019 3* Mince Pie Ride 2019
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31465127"
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Sun Dec 8th 2019

Off Road Mince Pie Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Our annual festive ride, which again is in aid of Whizz-Kidz, the children's mobility charity. This is the off-road ride, about 9 miles up to and along The Ridgeway to White Horse Hill - splendid views! We'll leave at 9:30am to give plenty of time to arrive for the pies and wine. Afterwards, some will ride on to the pub lunch others will return to Wantage - possibly by road. Guests and other cycling clubs are very welcome to cycle with us from Wantage Market Place from 9:30 onwards or join us at White Horse Hill NT car park (grid ref SU 293866) from 11:15 to 12:00 for mince pies and mulled wine. All proceeds on the day will go to Whizz-Kidz. Car parking: If driving in to join rides from Wantage, there is free car parking in the Portway car park (by the Beacon hall) on Sundays, OX12 9BU. See http://beaconwantage.co.uk/contact
Riders: Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: A windy day, even before the Brussels Sprouts! The forecast had a WSW wind of 20mph gusting to 35 and that felt about right. So we picked a route up to the Ridgeway via Gramps Hill that kept us protected as long as possible. There were only two of us tackling the off-road route, although a few more had showed up on mountain bikes. (They have advantages over pot-holed roads in any case if you are not travelling too far!) So, the two of us set off in sunshine, out through the Letcombes and up the steep tarmac of Gramps Hill. At the top, we turned right into the full blast of the wind, and had to pedal to maintain any reasonable speed downhill. The effort continued over a few miles to Hackpen Hill. At this point we still had enough energy to agree a diversion south to Seven Barrows. The road south was a slog, the woods were a relief, the slick chalky top of the descent had me off and the ruts were particularly bad. Worse, at the bottom, Richard was losing air from his front tyre despite being tubeless with sealant. He pumped and we spun the tyre and it seemed to hold, so we turned north and had the benefit of the wind blowing us back to the Ridgeway. There we turned back into the wind - another pump was needed, but that got us the remaining 3 miles to the White Horse where we enjoyed the descent on the trail before turning in to the car park to enjoy our mulled wine and mince pies. After milling with the throng, we set off off-road again, retracing our tyre-prints to Sparsholt Field where we enjoyed a somewhat sketchy descent to the road, and worked our way through the villages to Denchworth. We were rewarded with a rare sight - a Kingfisher flying along just ahead of us by the A417 at West Challow. Total mileage 25 (12 to the White Horse, 9 to Denchworth and 4 back to Wantage)
Distance: 40.23 km (25.00 mi)
2019 Mince Pie Ride at White Horse Hill - a glimpse of sun!
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31513259"
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Tue Dec 10th 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 Michael Zywko Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Report: A wet evening and Robin took a slide on the chalk on Nether Down.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
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Wed Dec 11th 2019

Turbo Training

Leader: Katherine Boyce	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 Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report: Christmas music and presents from Lisa. Great end to the first sessions.
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Thu Dec 12th 2019

RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Lizzie Long	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - CANCELLED DUE TO TERRIBLE WEATHER FORECAST - 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 to Ardington to the Grocer chef - haven't yet decided exact route but will go via North Drive. RIDE CANCELLED due to the appalling weather forecast!
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Sat Dec 14th 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. A simple and flat route around the Vale of White Horse, as befits the time of year. We will head out to Denchworth and Hanney, up to Fyfield and then the quiet back road parallel to the A420 all the way to Hinton Waldrist. I'm planning a coffee stop at Stanford in the Vale before we carry on to Fernham and Longcot. We then turn for home via Uffington and Goosey. Around 33 miles.
Riders: Chris Bailey Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Tranter Karl Blake Lorna Swanton Nick Dunton Sally Bensoussis Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: This was a ride which continued a recent theme of miserable weather! Cold, wet and windy is not a nice combination, but that is what we got. In which case, great credit to such a good group of riders brave or foolhardy enough to join the ride! It was particularly nice to welcome Sally back, after one ride last year. The first half of the ride was soaking, then the next part was cold and into a headwind. It was a relief to get to the warmth and sustenance provided by the always friendly team at the Stanford cafe. Steve and Lorna joined us there, having done their own ride out from Grove. By popular agreement, we cut the ride short and headed straight back to Grove. The final stretch home was mercifully wind assisted and the sun came out!
Distance: 37.01 km (23.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/42777639
Southmoor bridge selfie
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31572515"
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Tue Dec 17th 2019

RIDE CANCELLED - Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - SORRY, this ride is cancelled on 17th December due to unavailability of ride leaders. - 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 Dec 19th 2019

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Susie Turnbull	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.
Riders: Brian Hipwell David Bridge Diana Whidborne Karl Blake Patrick O'Leary Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 7 Report: For once there was no rain at 10.30 and it looked as if we might get 2 hours before the next downpour. So we set off through the floods and puddles and did a fairly speedy 20 miles and decided not to stop for coffee and get back to Grove before getting too wet. A sensible decision
Distance: 32.19 km (20.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31609708"
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Sat Dec 21st 2019

1* Saturday Half Day Ride	1*

Leader: Martyn Wigmore	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 festive ride to Bampton Garden Centre with just one gentle hill on the way back. Please note that today's ride may be changed due to local floods.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Bridge David Jackson Diana Whidborne John Tranter Martyn Wigmore Patrick O'Leary Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 10 Report:
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
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Sun Dec 22nd 2019

Regular Wantage Ride	2*

Leader: Susie Turnbull	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Todays ride has changed from an all day 3* to a half day 2starting at 9.30. Upper pace 2 going west through the Vale and then heading north to Coleshill for a coffee stop at the NT trust cafe after 20 miles. Then back through the Vale with hopefully the wind behind us!
Riders: Barry Stanton Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Martin Casey Pauline Casey Roger Postbeschild Roger Turnbull Susie Turnbull Riders = 8 Report: We had to make a detour at the start (thank you to Martin and Pauline) and end of the ride as the road between Grove and Denchworth was flooded. So set off via East and West Hanney. The NT cafe at Coleshill was excellent and welcoming. Good ride but a bit hillier than anticipated and most of us got wet feet at some stage. But we flew home with the wind behind us.
Distance: 61.16 km (38.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31613843"
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Tue Dec 24th 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.
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Sat Dec 28th 2019

3* Saturday 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, at a riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Likely to visit distant destinations. Not suitable for irregular riders.Climbing likely. For this ride we'll be staying close to home using local roads around the Vale. We'll head out through the Letcombes & take a trip up Hackpen, from this point we'll take advantage of the lovely Sheepdrove road which takes us down into the Lambourn valley, we'll then have an early tea stop/ breakfast at Goodies cafe. Once we are all refreshed we'll head along Seven Barrows, taking in the nice descent of Blowingstone Hill. We'll then wiggle our way along the Springline until we reach Knighton. This is where the route becomes a lot flatter, we'll cut through the Vale, passing through some nice villages. Compton Beauchamp, Fernham, Shellingford, Hatford, Stanford in the Vale & Denchworth arriving back in Grove for around 13:15hrs. Ride distance, 36.3miles, 58.4km. Hope to see you on the ride, Happy Christmas,Ed.
Riders: Chris Bailey David Smith Des Higgs Eddie Little Jo Little John Groves John Tranter Karl Blake Richard Saunders Robin Tucker Ursula Hallam Riders = 11 Weather: Report: A very chilled group to lead Only one punchture, but this was soon sorted! Goodies Cafe was fast & efficient! More than happy to return there! The roads were fairly quiet. Overall a nice ride with great company Let's make 2020 a special year, hope to see you on a ride very soon! Ed
Distance: 58.00 km (36.04 mi)
December 3* ride - good to be out! December 3* ride - good to be out! December 3* ride - good to be out! December 3* ride - good to be out! December 3* ride - good to be out!
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31646389"
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1

Written by : Ursula

Posted on : December 28, 2019 at 5:12 PM

Nice one Ed! Thank you for leading.

Tue Dec 31st 2019

RIDE CANCELLED - Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - - 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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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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