Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Thu Dec 2nd 2021

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: David Bridge	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: A ride out to Southmoor via Pusey and Longmoor to the KBS Cafe at Southmoor village hall. Return via Lyford
Riders: Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Karl Blake Kevin Hazell Terry Ryland Riders = 6 Report: As Carin was the only one for the 1* ride we decided to merge the 2 rides and went via Pusey and Longmoor to the KBS Cafe at Southmoor village hall for the tea stop where we were serenaded by a ladies choir. £1.20 for tea and cake. Return via Lyford. Weather cold and also windier than expected.
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
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Sat Dec 4th 2021

3* Saturday Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 11:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. 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 is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Sunday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. A later than usual start from OMH, Grove but this allows for lunch in HIghworth! Up to Wantage, along the Springline to Childrey, along to Uffington and then Watchfield and Highworth. After lunch at either the cafe or deli, we'll return via the Coxwells and Stanford in the Vale. Few hills but nothing major
Riders: Andy Pixton Joy Arthur Katherine Boyce Lisa Footner Roger Postbeschild Sharon Bedford Riders = 6 Weather: Report: A cold, brisk wind didn't deter some last minute deciders for this ride and we all agreed it was splendid! The journey out to Highworth was interesting, there was a point coming out of Uffington when I wondered how I was staying upright with the force of the wind! Thanks to those that took turns on the front (Sharon and Roger in particular). Highworth was reached without mishap but a lot of expended effort (just in case you missed the earlier headwind reference ). No one was in the mood for an inside lunch despite the cold, so we used Bloomfields and ate standing. Really lovely food, if a tad slow! We then found the facilities in the nearby carpark. Only issue was they required 20p. Luckily Roger had one and we shared it! We would all have happily paid but for the lack of cash. Note to ride leaders, maybe carry some change just in case!!! Everyone took the return hills at their own pace and waited for me at the top. Most of the rest of the return was a dream, with the occasional reminder of the blasting westerly wind. A really lovely half day ride
Distance: 64.00 km (39.77 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/6342446405
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38109878"
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Sun Dec 5th 2021

2* Sunday Shortie	2*

Leader: Jo Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Sociable rides from 24km-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 16-19km (10-12 miles) per hour. Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as the ride may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Monday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. Reversing a popular route, we'll head out to Denchworth and Gainfield before crossing the A420 and descending Buckland Hill. Then through Cote, Standlake before crossing back over the A420 and back to Grove. 26 miles, but mostly flat.
Riders: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Gerry Jones Jo Little Karl Blake Sarah Lewis Riders = 6 Weather: Report: A cold morning with a strong headwind that seemed to last for most of the ride. It's a nice route but we would have appreciated some hills to warm us up. Thanks to everyone who offered/took the wind for me - very much appreciated.
Distance: 43.45 km (27.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38039275"
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Tue Dec 7th 2021

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres required and good lights when it gets dark (‘get you home’ lights in Spring/Autumn). We are keen to welcome new riders and can make recommendations or have spare lights 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 we decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: Robin Tucker Willem Hilbers Riders = 2 Report: A new rider, Willem, on an interesting bike with a MTB frame, gravel bike forks, drop bars, and 2.1" knobbly tyres. He didn't have any problems! We went up Goddards Brook & Bitham, down Ice Valley & back up. Then over to Harwell, round the woods and back via the Icknield Greenway.
Distance: 24.46 km (15.20 mi)
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Tue Dec 7th 2021

Virtual Turbo

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: On Line
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. A virtual turbo workout of up to an hour including warm up, workout and warm down. You will need your own turbo set up, a computer/laptop/mobile device and Zoom version 5 installed on your device. This is a pre-bookable event. To book a place text your name to Karen Townsin 07768066413, no earlier than 9:00 on the Wednesday before. You will receive confirmation including the link to the virtual meeting.
Riders: Jane John Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Lisa Footner Sharon Bedford Simon Wysocki-Jones Yvonne Bird Riders = 8 Report: The final workout of 2021, so a nice easy hills and sprints routine. Thanks Kath for providing an interesting and very challenging quiz. Hopefully see most of you next week at the social, otherwise have a great Christmas and see you in 2022
Hills and Sprints turbo workout
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Thu Dec 9th 2021

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Sociable rides from 24km-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 16-19km (10-12 miles) per hour. Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as the ride may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Friday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. A ride out Via the Letcombes, Childrey, Sparsholt to Kingston Lisle and retuning via Stanford for coffee.
Riders: David Bridge David Jackson Des Higgs John Groves Karl Blake Nick Portsmouth Paul Bentley Terry Ryland Riders = 8 Report: A nice clear, cold and dry day for a ride. No problems with riders or machines, so a very easy orderly ride to lead. The cafe at Stanford already had a few cyclists in from other groups of which I knew a few. A very easy gentle paced ride home to Grove for another coffee and eats at Parsons. Thank you for all being so patient with a grumpy old leader!
Distance: 35.50 km (22.06 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33826655"
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Sat Dec 11th 2021

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. 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 pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Sunday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. A festive ride out for treats at Blakes Clanfield
Riders: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Riders = 2 Report: Only two riders on this one so we set off at a steady pace down to Blakes via Gainfield, Hatford, Littleworth, Thrupp and Radcot. The cafe was not too busy but we decided to sit outside as the weather was not so cold as recently. We dined on their excellent cinnamon swirls (Barry said the best he had ever tasted). We set off back to Grove and up the only hill - no problems at all. Thanks Barry for your company and the coffee and cake.
Distance: 48.28 km (30.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38141285"
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Sun Dec 12th 2021

2* Mince Pie Ride	2*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	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. This is a bookable ride, please text me if you wish to ride. Booking is now open. ETA for White Horse Hill car park, 11:30am. Depending upon the number of riders, I will be calling for secondary leaders on the day to maintain reasonable group sizes to give consideration to other road users. There is no getting round the fact that Dragon Hill is a steep one but do it at your own pace (walking if necessary) and we will regroup at the top before heading to the National Trust car park for mince pies and drinks. I will then continue, via the Fox in Denchworth for anyone booked in for the Club lunch, back as far as Old Mill Hall.
Riders: Barry Stanton Dan Rolfe David Jackson Des Higgs Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Roger Postbeschild Riders = 7 Weather: Report: A gathering took place, as usual, in Wantage Market Place, slightly complicated by a Sunday market! Apart from the usual suspects, it was good to welcome Dan Rolfe, who, I think, last ride with us on the White Horse Challenge last year! We might even have seen his wife, but she played football instead...... We were joined on the ride by Robin (there were no other off-road takers) and ten riders from Abingdon Freewheelers. The ride went hitch free until the spring line road was crossed and the main ascent started. Adrian from the Freewheelers was the first victim, a jammed transmission caused an undignified dismount - he dusted himself off and carried on up the hill. Then Barry had a mishap on the first cattle grid, leading to a buckled wheel and broken gearshift - unrideable. They were both due to meet up with Karl for lunch and he was able to provide broom van services. Lunch was then duly enjoyed. The rest of us safely made it up the hill to enjoy mince pies and warm punch/mulled wine in the NT car park. A suitably brisk ride back was enjoyed as a result of the tail wind.
Distance: 36.60 km (22.74 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38100942
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38100942"
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Sun Dec 12th 2021

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. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book your place, either text or email me. Text 07512645320 or email edlittle157@gmail.com No earlier than 09:00am on the Monday before the ride. You will receive confirmation from myself. Secondary Ride Leader. Sharon Bedford. From Wantage we’ll head through the beautiful downland villages of the Letcombe’s, Childrey, 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 White Horse 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 20 miles / 33km. Riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph) Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the departure time for briefing! Ride departs 09:30am. I will be leading a ride back to Wantage via Uffington, Goosey, The Fox Denchworth & Grove.
Riders: Andrew Rimmer Eddie Little Jo Little Joy Arthur LeeAnn Norris Peter Brodie Sharon Bedford Simon Atkin Simon Wysocki-Jones Riders = 9 Weather: Report: A brief report! The weather was really kind to us. The temperature was 11c with cloudy sun, for December this is unusual. The ride was incident free, unfortunately we seemed to carry a head wind round with us for much of the ride which made hard work leading at times! I’m glad to report that everyone made it to the summit! We all enjoyed some delicious mulled wine & pies + a catch up with old friends. Thank you to Sharon for being secondary leader & to everyone for being such an amazing group to lead! HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL !! CHEERS
Distance: 45.06 km (28.00 mi)
Roger in Wantage Market Place Mince Pie Ride 2021. Karen, Jon & Roger Wantage Market Place Mince Pie Ride 2021. Lee Ann takes the lead on Dragon Hill. Mince Pie Ride 2021. Mince Pie Ride 2021. Mince Pie Ride 2021. Swindon MTB Club, Mince Pie Ride 2021.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31465127"
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Sun Dec 12th 2021

1* Mince Pie Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Our annual festive ride, which again is in aid of Whizz-Kidz, the children's mobility charity, and the culmination of this year’s White Horse Cycle Challenge. Ride out with us to the NT car park at White Horse Hill, Uffington, for mince pies and mulled wine. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book your place, either text me or email me on steve.swanton@cyclingukwantage.org.uk. You will receive confirmation. The ride is now open for booking. Meeting from 9:50 for briefing for a 10:00 start, the 1* ride will be a sociable ride at a leisurely pace leaving after the other groups. ETA for White Horse Hill car park, 11:20am. 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 returning to Wantage through the vale after the meet, passing the Fox in Denchworth for those stopping for lunch (please see separate entry for details).
Riders: Andrew Moore Gareth Smith Gerry Jones Lorna Swanton Lynn Moore Nick Portsmouth Steve Swanton Val Smith Riders = 8 Weather: Report: Report to come
Distance: 32.35 km (20.10 mi)
2021 Mince Pie 1* riders ready for the off On the climb - MPR 2021 Made it - MPR 2021 Lorna and Val cresting the hill - MPR 2021 Milling throng at White Horse Hill - MPR 2021 The volunteers were kept busy - thank you! MPR 2021 Oxford City Cycling - MPR 2021 Festive Karen - MPR 2021
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38136121"
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Sun Dec 12th 2021

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.
Riders: Robin Tucker Riders = 1 Report: Just me on the ride today, so I'll tell you about my full day My wife took the car, so I rode off-road from Abingdon to Wantage via the canal, Ardington and the new Icknield Greenway. In the summer I've made the 10 miles in under an hour, but this took 1h15 thanks to plenty of mud and head-wind. Finding no other off-road takers, I joined the 2-Star ride led ably by Roger P. We went via Letcombe, Childrey and Uffington. The flat bars and knobbly tyres were a bit of a disadvantage, but I was glad of the wide range of gears. Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed with a crowd of cyclists which included riders coming in from Corellian CC, Oxford Cycling UK, Didcot Phoenix, Newbury Road Club. Then it was time to take advantage of the now tailwind and I set off on the Ridgeway, riding it to Harwell and heading round the woods, past Rowstock to the Packhorse, though Milton Park. There I met Willem - who came on last Tuesday's ride and his partner - and we rode home together via Peep-o-day Lane
Distance: 72.42 km (45.00 mi)
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Sun Dec 12th 2021

Mince Pie club lunch

Leader: Diana Whidborne	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: The Fox at Denchworth
Description: Following the Mince Pie rides up White Horse Hill in the morning, we have a block booking for lunch at the Fox at Denchworth. Please send your menu choices to Di and pay a £10 deposit per person to the club bank account by SATURDAY 4th DECEMBER. Set two course menu: Main courses: - traditional roast turkey - pancetta, stilton and real ale apple chutney pork loin - braised feather blade steak - Sri Lankan king prawns and fish - roasted stuffed aubergine (v) Puddings: - Christmas pudding - chocolate and orange tart - pina colada cheesecake - banana brulee with chocolate sorbet - cheese and biscuits (coffee and mince pies included) Set price per person: £19.50. £10 deposit per person paid to the club bank account: 20-90-91 23556050 (please put your name and 'Fox' in the description)
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Sun Dec 12th 2021

Mince Pie Rides 2021

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Uffington White Horse Hill
Description: Great to be able to get the Mince Pie Ride tradition back on the road again. We will have already had a fortnight of individual Challenge rides, but this is expected to be the main focus for many local cyclists: four different group rides for us, plus many other local clubs scheduling their rides to join in.
Riders: Carin Tranter Diana Whidborne John Tranter Mandy Wassell Steve Boreham Riders = 5 Report:
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Tue Dec 14th 2021

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres required and good lights when it gets dark (‘get you home’ lights in Spring/Autumn). We are keen to welcome new riders and can make recommendations or have spare lights 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 we decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Report: Up and down the Ridgeway, and round Harwell woods. Not actually that wet.
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)
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Tue Dec 14th 2021

Virtual Turbo

Leader: Jane John	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: The Greyhound Inn, Letcombe Regis
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. A virtual turbo workout of up to an hour including warm up, workout and warm down. You will need your own turbo set up, a computer/laptop/mobile device and Zoom version 5 installed on your device. This is a pre-bookable event. To book a place text your name to Karen Townsin 07768066413, no earlier than 9:00 on the Wednesday before. You will receive confirmation including the link to the virtual meeting. An 'end of term' social get together.
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Thu Dec 16th 2021

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Sociable rides from 24km-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 16-19km (10-12 miles) per hour. Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as the ride may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Friday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. A re-run of our first visit to KBS Cafe - offering outstanding value. A nice flat ride might even convince me to leave the e-bike in the garage!
Riders: Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves Nick Portsmouth Patrick O'Leary Paul Bentley Roger Postbeschild Terry Ryland Riders = 10 Weather: Report: No need for the e-bike on this ride, pan flat! A re-visit of the excellent value KBS Cafe, which is now closed until January 13 in view of the unknown effects of Omicron. We were joined at coffee by Karl, who has been suffering with his back and warned off cycling by the Doctor! As usual, a sociable bunch with further refreshments taken by some at Parson's on return to Grove.
Distance: 31.90 km (19.82 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37933923
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37933923"
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Sun Dec 19th 2021

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. As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride.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 is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Monday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. Off to Brize Norton for lunch at the Humble Bumble cafe. We'll take the slightly bumpy route out to Faringdon to explore some of the quiet, flat lands of the Thames Valley before returning via the slightest of the hills up to the Vale . Optional coffee stop on our return to Wantage.
Riders: Jo Little John Tranter Lizzie Hardingham Riders = 3 Weather: Report: It was a damp, misty ride which turned to fog later on, with only a small gap of clearish sky in the middle of the day. This made it very hard to recognise even well known areas, which led to some disconcerting moments. Despite this we all enjoyed the ride and decided we'd like to do it again when we could see where we were going as it was a great route (thanks Kath). Thanks to John and Lizzie for being such good company.
Distance: 93.34 km (58.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38050810"
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Tue Dec 21st 2021

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres required and good lights when it gets dark (‘get you home’ lights in Spring/Autumn). We are keen to welcome new riders and can make recommendations or have spare lights 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 we decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: David Brown Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Report: Super-cold today so we headed south. That didn't help much and the Garmin showed -5C at its lowest point, Lands End just south of the Ridgeway. We kept moving to stay warm and enjoyed ourselves!
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
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Thu Dec 23rd 2021

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Sociable rides from 24km-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 16-19km (10-12 miles) per hour. Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as the ride may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Friday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. Ride out to Faringdon with a stop at The Coffee Shop in the Market Square
Riders: David Bridge Des Higgs John Tranter Kevin Eveleigh Lizzie Hardingham Paul Bentley Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 7 Report: Rather disappointing to see the rain this morning, although thankful for sunny company and mild conditions. A straightforward ride out to Baulking via Denchworth and Goosey, we then headed towards Fernham where unfortunately Paul found he had a puncture. Being a true gentleman he ushered the group on to avoid getting cold and fixed it himself. We headed on up the hill out of Fernham and on towards Faringdon. Steph and Kevin got lucky and made it across the A420 in what appeared to be the only gap in traffic. Thank goodness for the Christmas spirit two lorries saw that we were waiting to cross and stopped to wave us over- Merry Christmas! The ride into Farindon was smooth and rewarded by a great coffee, cakes and company good to see Karl who was waiting for us! Paul had caught us up and so a convivial time was had by all. With the wind in our sails thee ride home via Hatford and Charney was uneventful. A great ride with super company shame about the weather!
Distance: 37.30 km (23.18 mi)
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Sun Dec 26th 2021

Boxing Day Shortie	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Sociable rides from 24km-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 16-19km (10-12 miles) per hour. Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as the ride may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Monday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained. Leaving the Square at 10, we'll do the roller coaster Springline, with a slight diversion up White Horse Hill (for those that missed the challenge, perhaps bring a mince pie!) before carrying on along the Springline to Kingstone Winslowe and down to Shrivenham, return via Stanford in the Vale and Park Lane.
Riders: Jo Little John Tranter Katherine Boyce Riders = 3 Weather: Report: Not a good start for Clare and James who were due to join us but James punctured on his way to the ride, so they did their own ride, which included a second puncture . The rest of us had a relatively peaceful, uneventful, foggy ride to White Horse Hill. No views but quite a lot of dogs, walkers and children enjoying the fresh air! The top of the lane with the main carpark on was very wet and muddy but we successfully negotiated this and John saw us down the hill as I hadn't got a front light and it was very low visibility. With the road busy with ascending cars, it was a good move on our part! Kingstone Winslow was as pretty as ever and not too many walkers in the middle of the road . As we descended to Shrivenham the sun came out for a while and as we carried on to Longcot not only were the views to the Downs revealed but Des passed us in his car! Slight headwind on Park Lane (just after I commented on how nice it was to be riding without one. Duh!) and then we were back on the road to Grove, Jo and John had spotted Clare in front of us, but despite our valiant attempts we didn't catch her. As splendid ride and great preparation for the continuing festive excesses
Distance: 50.41 km (31.32 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/6430201027
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38228176"
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Tue Dec 28th 2021

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: Please check website to see if we run this post-Christmas ride! As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres required and good lights when it gets dark (‘get you home’ lights in Spring/Autumn). We are keen to welcome new riders and can make recommendations or have spare lights 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 we decide to cancel due to really bad weather.
Riders: David Brown Michael Zywko Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 4 Report: An extra long turkey burner designed by Richard and quite heavy going in places, to understate it massively. We set out via the canal, then climbed up to the Ridgeway at Sparsholt Field. On to White Horse Hill. Then south to Lambourn, feeling easier but we were losing height. From Lambourn we headed back towards Sheepdrove, turning East at triangle farm to climb a slippery slope, very difficult going. Eventually we found our way back to the Ridgeway south of Letcombe. We continued East, descending Green Giant and Goddards Brook. Finally back into Wantage for a Christmas beer!
Distance: 43.45 km (27.00 mi)
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Thu Dec 30th 2021

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Stephanie Haddrell	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride. Sociable rides from 24km-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 16-19km (10-12 miles) per hour. Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as the ride may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is a pre-bookable ride. To book a place, text your name to the ride leader no earlier than 9:00am on the Friday before the ride. You will receive confirmation or be advised that the ride is fully booked. A reserve list will be maintained.
Riders: Andrew Rimmer Barry Eggby Bethany Tranter David Bridge David Jackson Des Higgs John Tranter Lorna Swanton Nick Portsmouth Rob Martin Roger Postbeschild Sarah Bowen Stephanie Haddrell Steve Wickens Terry Ryland Riders = 15 Report: How great to see such interest for the holiday ride this morning. With 15 riders we split into two groups of varying speed. John and Bethany decided to go for speed and led the fast group with David Jackson, Andy Rimmer, Sarah Bowen and Rob Martin. Steph led the more leisurely group of Des, Roger P, Lorna and Steve, Nick Portsmouth, Terry and Barry Egby. Thanks Steve for sweeping.We rode out around the Grove Estate to Letcombe into a head wind which did not let up making the climb up Holborn Hill more of a challenge, especially after the excesses of Christmas! From Letcombe Basset we flew through Childrey and Sparsholt before hitting a head wind towards Westcott. After a brief rest we rode along the spring line to Kingstone Lisle and home via Baulking, Goosey and Denchworth. It was a real pleasure to finish the ride with a socially distanced gathering outside of Parsons for coffee and refreshments. Thanks all for great company !
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
Proposed Route: TBC"
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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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