Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Mar 1st 2025

3* Saturday Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Half day ride (60-70km / 38-45 miles), with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). EDIT Friday afternoon: I have some takers, so the ride is on. Please note that the route has been extended a little from the one advised on Thursday morning, and now has some climbing. Coffee, as previously advised, to be taken in Shrivenham. UPDATE 07.10 SATURDAY: currently -2.6c in Grove, start therefore delayed until 10.00 for safety reasons.
Riders: Chris Bailey James Bosley Louise Bowers Roger Postbeschild Riders = 4 Weather: Report: A delay of 30 minutes in the start time ensured, as hoped, that we would avoid icy roads - apart from a slushy section just outside Bishopstone. As we climbed the hill out of Woolstone, James was all for climbing up to The White Horse - he was in a minority of one! Evidently, his training is not without success. Coffee and sausage rolls were well up to snuff at the Farm Shop in Shrivenham. I had the luxury of some cooler clothing to change into after coffee as the sunshine was very warming. The trip back was enhanced by a detour to Compton Beauchamp. The wooded sections that should be covered in bluebells in a few weeks were looking distinctly soggy. I spotted two egrets on the way down, having negotiated an enormous tractor that seemed to fill the road... A select group of four riders - many thanks for your company. 59km at an average speed of 22.5kph.
Distance: 59.00 km (36.66 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49564774"
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Tue Mar 4th 2025

Virtual Turbo

Leader: Sharon Bedford	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Online
Description: 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 09:00 on the Wednesday before. You will receive confirmation including the link to the virtual meeting.
Riders: Jan McCabe Jane John Karen Townsin Nicole Pethybridge Sharon Bedford Simon Wysocki-Jones Yvonne Bird Riders = 7 Report: Pyramid Session with Pancake Quiz (both generated by AI as an experiment)
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Thu Mar 6th 2025

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Sociable ride of 24-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 18-20km/h (11-13 mph). Taking advantage of the good weather forecast, a visit to the Appleton Community Shop, where we should be able to sit outside in the sunshine.
Riders: Angie Fisher David Bridge Des Higgs Geoff Neill John Groves Patrick O'Leary Peter Dalgliesh Roger Postbeschild Roger Turnbull Stephanie Haddrell Terry Ryland Riders = 11 Weather: Report: Glorious sunshine - we enjoyed it whilst we could! A nice, easy, wind assisted run out to Appleton where we all basked outside in the sunshine. Slightly harder on the return run. It was so warm that yours truly even exposed his knees - much to the consternation of Steph who hadn't realised that I could maintain decency whist doing this! There were even reports of the natives in Tubney complaining about the whiteness of said exposed knees.... A couple of the usual suspects booked very late on to this ride....I am considering imposing a cut-off time for bookings.
Distance: 40.30 km (25.04 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49841276"
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Thu Mar 6th 2025

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Sunshine is expected, so a leisurely ride, to enjoy the views, eastwards to Ginge via The Lord Nelson and Lockinge along NCN 544. Then continue eastwards on the farm track to Newbury Rd, then north to join the Icknield Greenway back to Ardington (for a coffee stop at the Grocer chef) via the ‘bridge of lesser doom’. Then the new link road back to Grove. Back for 12.30. John Stamp will be co-leading this one. Easy sociable ride of 24-32 km (15-20 miles) at a pace of 14-17km/h (9-11 mph). Please let Steve know if you are planning to come.
Riders: Andy Belcher John Stamp John Tranter Lorna Swanton Mila Yearley Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Susie Turnbull Riders = 8 Weather: Report: An excellent day for a ride, fantastic wall to wall blue sky and excellent views. And judging by the chatter a good sociable ride. Some traffic going out to Ginge and one short section of wet/mud on entering Ardington. ‘Bridge of lesser doom’ still a tad scary, at least for the joint leader. Enjoyable coffee stop in the sunshine at the Grocer Chef Ardington. John
Distance: 19.31 km (12.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49856737"
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Sat Mar 8th 2025

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). A ride out to Coleshill, where the courtyard at Blake's Cafe should be basking in sunshine. Around 55km. Please note start time is 10.00. Please note also, change of Ride Leader as Des is unwell. The route contains some bridleway, but this does take out some hills.
Riders: Anke Otto Chris Gray David Jackson Roger Postbeschild Steve Swanton Riders = 5 Weather: Report: Another glorious March day - and my knees were out again! Good to see Chris - who was also sporting exposed knees. It would appear that I managed to take us down a track that Steve hadn't ridden - down Puddleduck Lane in Great Coxwell, following a bridle track that rejoins the Coleshill Road via a farmyard. One of my favourites, it cuts out Badworth Hill. Quite rideable after a dry week. Excellent coffee at Blake's Coleshill, too late, however for sausage rolls or cheese scones. I did, briefly, consider stopping again at Shrivenham Farm Shop for a sausage roll.............. A small but very sociable group, and for three of us, another coffee stop in Grove. 55km at an average 19.4kph.
Distance: 55.00 km (34.18 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49904244"
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Sun Mar 9th 2025

3* Sunday Shortie. Seven Barrows	3*

Leader: Eddie Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: The Beacon
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. A 2 Hour ride (24-40km / 15-25 miles), riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. From Wantage we’ll head through the Letcombes, Sparsholt Firs, Seven Barrows, Kingston Lisle, Goosey, W/ Challow arriving back in Wantage for around 11:30am. Ride Distance 23 miles/37km.
Riders: Eddie Little James Bosley Jo Little Katherine Boyce Riders = 4 Weather: Report: The four of us enjoyed a relaxing ride through the Vale. Perfect conditions all round, including a very nice route from Jo. It was also good to see Hugo on Blowingstone Hill. Thanks to everyone for an excellent morning’s ride.
Distance: 37.01 km (23.00 mi)
Perfect riding conditions for a Sunday shortie ride. Seven Barrows, March 2025. Top of Blowingstone Hill. March 2025
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49738317"
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Tue Mar 11th 2025

Virtual Turbo

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Online
Description: 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 09:00 on the Wednesday before. You will receive confirmation including the link to the virtual meeting.
Riders: Jane John Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Sharon Bedford Yvonne Bird Riders = 5 Report: Tricky one this week, isolated leg workout. Did 3 sets but it got too tricky and we were not sure what we were getting out of it, so made last 2 sets a mixture of sprints and hills. Animal adjectives quiz.
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Thu Mar 13th 2025

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Sociable ride of 24-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 18-20km/h (11-13 mph). Ashbury shop for coffee, out via Uffington and Compton Beauchamp hill, return via Shellingford and Hatford, around 40km. Please book in by 9AM Thursday as your ride leader will leave home shortly after!
Riders: Barry Stanton David Bridge Des Higgs Louise Bowers Steve Swanton Terry Ryland Riders = 6 Report: A slightly longer ride this week (with no complaints). We set off with a chilly wind and in fact we had pretty much all weather conditions possible so kept the speed at the top end of 2* to keep warm. Clare at the Baking Bee in Ashbury looked after us well as usual. On the return we had a headwind but no hills to speak of. A very enjoyable ride with very good company. Thanks to all.
Distance: 50.00 km (31.07 mi)
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Thu Mar 13th 2025

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Easy sociable ride of 24-32 km (15-20 miles) at a pace of 14-17km/h (9-11 mph). A nice easy loop out to Denchwroth and Goosey and then across to Childrey to enjoy coffee and cakes at the wonderful Cantorist cafe. Then we head back on the improved track to East Challow and along the Wilts and Berks Canal towpath. We finish off with a little tour of the Wellington Gate development (including the new secondary school). 13 miles / 21km
Riders: Andy Belcher Angie Fisher John Stamp John Tranter Lorna Swanton Riders = 5 Report: A chilly northerly wind was not welcoming, but it was great to see a brave group joining me. We had a very pleasant ride around the Vale, with a lovely coffee stop at the Cantorist in Childrey. We finished off with a mini-tour of the Wellington Gate development and managed to narrowly avoid some apocalyptic looking storm clouds. Thanks to everyone for good company.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/260197930
Thursday 1* ride Thursday 1* ride - avoiding the storm!
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49944794"
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Sat Mar 15th 2025

1* Saturday Half Day Ride to Steventon	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: With a north-easterly breeze forecast, a good excuse for an easterly ride, repeating a Spring route from 2022 to Steventon. We'll head into Wantage to pick up NCN route 544 to Ginge, then a short stretch of the Icknield Greenway to East Hendred. We'll zig zig through to the top of Milton Hill, enjoy the descent of Steventon Hill before a refreshment stop at one of the pubs in the village. We'll return across Cow common to the Hanneys and back into Grove via Denchworth. Our regular social and family ride on the third Saturday of the month, usually with a cafe stop. We cover 16-32km (10-20 miles) at a leisurely pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph), tackling the occasional hill (nothing too long) and easy off-road track (conditions permitting). Please let the ride leader know if you are planning to come.
Riders: Alan Fisher Angie Fisher Anke Otto Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 5 Weather: Report: It was another cold day with a chill north-easterly breeze and, at the start, several of us were wondering whether we'd layered up enough. But, the sun was out and stayed out for most of the ride, making all the difference. Apart from an exposed stretch of the Icknield Greenway above West Hendred, our outward route was largely sheltered from the breeze and we made steady progress, regrouping at the usual 1* places: the end of the cycletrack on Larkhill; by Best Mates' statue in Lockinge and at the top of Betterton Hill to admire the panoramic views. We enjoyed controlled descents into East Hendred and then a little later into Steventon. Highlight of the ride was a tour of Steventon, cycling along the Causeway sparkling with daffodils along the verges and celandines in the ditches, then going beyond the railway to stop by the church and admire the monsters nearby! Thanks to some local info. from Barry (the Fox Inn having closed and the Cherry Tree just changing managers), plan B was adopted to stop at the Plough in West Hanney instead. So after a relatively long haul in single file across Cow Common, mostly with a tailwind, our refreshment stop was most welcome. We found the pub, and tent behind in the garden, full with Rugby fans watching the climax of the six nations. However, there was a small area of patio behind in the sunshine where we were able to settle down to a quiet drink and natter. Eventually we pulled ourselves away for the short ride back to Grove. Thanks all for your company on a very easy ride to lead.
Distance: 32.51 km (20.20 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49987172
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38785594"
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Sun Mar 16th 2025

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Jo Little	Start Time: 9:15 am	Start Location: The Beacon
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. Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. 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. A trip out to Whelford lakes and the Magic Beans cafe (27 miles). This has both indoor and outdoor seating and was great to visit last time we went. We'll have a second stop at either Aston or Bampton, depending on whether Great Brook is flooded, before heading back to Wantage. 58 miles in total.
Riders: Andy Pixton Eddie Little Jo Little Katherine Boyce Philip (Pip) Jackson Sharon Bedford Riders = 6 Weather: Report: A cold start to the day, but it slowly warmed up and stayed dry. We headed to Whelford Lakes for our first stop at the Magic Beans cafe - a welcome break with good food and plenty of room inside. We then enjoyed the great views around Castle Eaton before heading towards Aston pottery for the second stop and then home. A scenic route that everyone seemed to enjoy. A tough headwind at times - thanks for taking the lead then Ed. Great to welcome Sharon back to her first ride in 2025 with the club and thanks to everyone for being such good company.
Distance: 96.56 km (60.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49772025"
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Tue Mar 18th 2025

Virtual Turbo

Leader: Jane John	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Online
Description: 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 09:00 on the Wednesday before. You will receive confirmation including the link to the virtual meeting.
Riders: Jan McCabe Jane John Katherine Boyce Lisa Footner Sharon Bedford Simon Wysocki-Jones Yvonne Bird Riders = 7 Report: Last session before we're let out on a Tuesday on real bikes! My usual workout based on FTP and a countryside quiz with slightly unreliable answers... Thanks to Calum for joining us from Scotland too.
Distance: 0.00 km (0.00 mi)	Ride Details: N/A
Last winter session of Turbo Tuesday
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Thu Mar 20th 2025

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Roger Turnbull	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Sociable ride of 24-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 18-20km/h (11-13 mph). A 20mile flat circuit via Childrey, Kingston Lyle, Baulking, Standford the Vale (coffee), Hatfield, Charley Bassett & back to Denchworth.
Riders: Angie Fisher Barry Stanton Des Higgs Eddie Little Geoff Neill John Groves Louise Bowers Patrick O'Leary Paul Bentley Pauline Clark Peter Dalgliesh Roger Postbeschild Roger Turnbull Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Susie Turnbull Terry Ryland Tim Hoyle Riders = 18 Report:
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50014362"
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Thu Mar 20th 2025

RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Susie Turnbull	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - Ride cancelled as no one booked! - Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Easy sociable ride of 24-32 km (15-20 miles) at a pace of 14-17km/h (9-11 mph). We will head north to Denchworth, Charney Bassett, Hinton Waldrist and then south for coffee at Stanford in the Vale. Home via Park lane. 19 miles.
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Sat Mar 22nd 2025

2* Saturday Half Day Ride to Lechlade	2*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: A slightly longer than usual 2* Saturday ride to Lechlade but at a steady 2* pace. This will be the first of several progressively longer 2* rides over the next couple of months to build towards the Tri-Vets Century (100-mile) Ride at the end of June. If you've never ridden a century before, why not give it a go? Or just join us for the fun of a longer ride. We'll be heading out via Fernham and using the new cycleway crossing of the A420 into Faringdon. The left to Great Coxwell to bypass Badbury Hill using the delightful off-road Puddleduck Lane to Coleshill. We'll descend to Buscot and continue to Lechlade for refreshments at Linwoods. We'll return via Little Faringdon, Langford and a delightful single-track lane to Clanfield, then up the hill from Thrupp to Litteworth and back via Hatford and Charney Bassett. 42-miles of relatively flat riding with only a few ups. We should be back in Grove around 2pm. Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph).
Riders: Anke Otto Barry Stanton Chris Gray David Jackson Lorna Swanton Nick Dunton Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Forecast showers for the afternoon didn't materialise and we enjoyed a dry ride, albeit under cloudy skies (with the occasional glimpse of sun) on a mild spring day. Lots of daffodils in gardens and verges, yellow celandines in the ditches, hints of green and blackthorn blossom in the hedges to enjoy en route. We made steady progress across the Vale to Fernham, climbed over the hill and down to the A420 to make use of the the new cycleway crossing. Much easier than it used to be either here or out of the back of Little Coxwell. We doubled-back to Great Coxwell to take the delightful Puddleduck lane track. A little stony in places but only one large puddle to negotiate. We stopped at the top of a gentle climb to admire the extensive views, and a few pics, before rejoining the road into Coleshill. Unfortunately, Barry picked up a puncture. But with inner tube quickly replaced and reinflated with gas, we were soon on our way again down the hill to Buscot. It was later claimed by Roger that I was leading at 24 km/hr along the A417 into Lechlade, which I find hard to believe riding on my middle ring! But perhaps I was a little faster on the main road.... Linwood's was busy, but as we were ordering the largest table became free and we were able to enjoy our coffees, pastries/sausage rolls/bacon sandwiches/etc sitting inside. Our ride resumed with a stretch of the A361 northwards, before we turned off into the quiet lanes through Little Faringdon to Langford and pretty Broadwell. Then right onto Clancroft lane (one of my favourites). The short climb and drop over the course of the old Lechlade branch line briefly broke up the flat riding. Then as we approached Clanfield, we caught the headwind from the SE. I was grateful to Roger, Anke and Nick taking turns on the front at various stages on the way back. After crossing the Thames at Radcot, the second major hill of the ride was the long grind up to Littleworth bringing us back into the Vale. After negotiation the A420, we took the quiet lane over to the Hideaway to Hatford; it was then an easy ride on familiar roads back into Grove. Thanks everyone for your good company on an easy ride to lead and thanks to Steph for sweeping.
Distance: 67.59 km (42.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49787685"
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Sun Mar 23rd 2025

3* Sunday Shortie	3*

Leader: Sharon Bedford	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: The Beacon
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. A 2 Hour ride (24-40km / 15-25 miles), riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. Flatish spin round the Vale
Riders: Jane John Jo Little Roger Postbeschild Sharon Bedford Riders = 4 Report: Flat ride today but lovely nonetheless with a great group of 4. Started misty but by the end was warm and sunny.
Distance: 47.00 km (29.20 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49977996"
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Tue Mar 25th 2025

Virtual Turbo

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Online
Description: 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 09:00 on the Wednesday before. You will receive confirmation including the link to the virtual meeting.
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Thu Mar 27th 2025

Daytime 2* Thursday Ride	2*

Leader: Richard Kidd	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Sociable ride of 24-40 km (15-25 miles) at a pace of 18-20km/h (11-13 mph). Blake's, Clanfield, out via Bampton, return via Faringdon. 46km.
Riders: Angie Fisher Barry Stanton David Bridge Des Higgs Geoff Neill John Groves Katherine Boyce Louise Bowers Pauline Clark Peter Dalgliesh Richard Kidd Terry Ryland Tim Hoyle Riders = 13 Weather: Report: 13 of us set off from OMH to Blakes at Clanfield. The forecasters predicted rising temperatures during the day so some us were slightly underdressed for the conditions however it was bright,dry and with relatively light winds we couldn’t complain. At Kath’s suggestion we split into two groups to ride out through Denchworth, Buckland and Bampton to Clanfield. Blakes lived up to its reputation of excellent large cinnamon buns. A group from Swindon Wheelers were just finishing their coffees as we sat down. Down to twelve riders for the return we only got as far as Radcot before Tim’s bike decided to shed a disc pad leaving him with braking on his rear wheel only. Des took over the lead as I went back to check on Tim. We got him home safely as there were no big descents on the return route to worry about. I had been a little nervous about using the A417 out of Faringdon but everyone seemed to cope ok despite there being an open drain hole with no grill cover on our side of the road. We caught up with the main group just as they got back to Grove. We rounded off the ride with a coffee at Costa. Everyone seemed to have good time and enjoyed the route.
Distance: 53.58 km (33.29 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50069744"
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Thu Mar 27th 2025

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: John Stamp	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Easy sociable ride of 24-32 km (15-20 miles) at a pace of 14-17km/h (9-11 mph). A classic loop to Stanford-in-the-Vale for refreshments at the coffee house.
Riders: Andy Belcher Carin Tranter John Stamp John Tranter Lorna Swanton Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Riders = 8 Weather: Report: Worth the ride to see various banks of daffodils, in the various village greens. in full bloom. Breaks during the ride were kept short due to the chilly wind! Excellent coffee & cakes @ Standford Coffee Shop which now has a lounge area. Average speed 9.5ml/hr.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29341988""
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Sat Mar 29th 2025

5th Saturday Special - away day from Lechlade	2*

Leader: Roger Postbeschild	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: Lechlade Garden Centre
Description: Following last Saturday's ride to Lechlade, this is an away day ride from Lechlade to Northleach - a reverse of last year's ride. Meet at Lechlade Garden Centre for coffee at 10.00, leaving at 10.30. Lunch will be at Northleach. As we are reversing the route, we shouldn't be too early for lunch this time! 50km, so not long, but there is one climb of 10% You could always make this a longer ride by riding out to Lechlade.....
Riders: Anke Otto Barry Stanton David Jackson Des Higgs John Tranter Lorna Swanton Nick Dunton Roger Postbeschild Steve Swanton Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Morning sunshine was booked, and early coffees enjoyed by most. Des was sporting knees, others were covered. We picked up the Coln Valley and followed this up, enjoying such delights as Coln Rogers and Coln St Dennis on the way. Crossing the Fosse Way allowed us to continue to follow the valley........it did mean a significant climb up out of the valley to get to Northleach for lunch - peaking at 14%. Lunch was taken at Lynwood's. This is one of their smaller cafes, but their scrambled egg on toast is particularly sustaining. As usual, your ride leader had difficulty getting his bearings out of Northleach after lunch.........one day I'll get it right! The return route was less hilly, if a little less spectacular. However, short of going back down the Coln Valley, I would struggle to top the route out. It was good to see some riders returning to fitness, and some training up for the TriVets in June. Thanks to Des for sweeping. All taken at a leisurely 18.2kph and a distance of 51.6 km. It got chillier on the way back, with light cloud cover and an increasing breeze. Barry did comment that it would change direction at lunch, meaning a headwind all the way round. It did, and I hold him entirely responsible for this.
Distance: 51.60 km (32.06 mi)
Above Bibury
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49982684"
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Sun Mar 30th 2025

3* Sunday Shortie ++	3*

Leader: Sharon Bedford	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: The Beacon
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. A 2 Hour ride (24-40km / 15-25 miles), riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. To mark the first day of BST I have decided to change to an extended shortie, (well more of a 2/3 day ride really!) Heading over the downs to start with so a few hills - but most of climbing is in the first half. I am out of practice so will be pacing the ride right at the lower end of the 3* pace. Cafe stop in Aldborne.
Riders: Andy Pixton Jo Little Katherine Boyce Roger Postbeschild Sharon Bedford Riders = 5 Report: What a fab day to be out. Sunny throughout the ride, with the conditions marred only slightly by a chilly north westerly. Although this did make cycling a little tough at times we were rewarded by a wind assisted return from Shrivenham. Route seemed to be enjoyed by all and we found some lovely quiet lanes without much traffic. Also they were in better condition that anticipated after the wet winter. Lots of spring flowers on show and other cyclists out. Cafe stop was very welcome by the time we got there. Food was great albeit a little slow to emerge. But we didn’t mind as we were in the sunshine and were involved in lots of cycle chat.
Distance: 86.00 km (53.44 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49978089"
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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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