Past Rides
We send details of upcoming rides in a weekly email newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact [javascript protected email address].
Thu May 8th 2025
| Daytime 1* Thursday Ride | 1* |
|---|
Leader:Steve Swanton |
Start Time:10:00 am |
Start Location:Old Mill Hall |
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 loop around Wantage with refreshments at the Vale and Downland Museum. We'll head out through Denchworth, stopping to admire the panoramic views of the Downs from the Circourt Rd railway bridge. After a short stretch of the A417, we'll turn into West Challow then climb gently on a metalled bridleway to Childrey. After a pause byChildrey church, we'll continue to East Challow on the resurfaced bridleway with its fine views of the vale and then enjoy the descent into Wantage on the Portway. After refreshments, we'll head out of Wantage by a wiggly back route to join the NCN5 track out to Lockinge. We'll cut through the Lockinge Estate for another nice descent to Ardington. Finally we'll climb up to the A417 cross-roads and descent (again!) past Lains Barn and back to Grove. A round trip of 16.5 miles. |
||
Report:With John's kind agreement, the first half of the ride was a repeat of our route from Tuesday evening. But as it makes use of roads and tracks/bridleways that are (usually) less-travelled and there are fine views to enjoy on the way (as well as donkeys, lambs and alpacas!) it was worth doing again.At Childrey, we found that the church was open, enabling a quick look around before we continued on to East Challow. We then enjoyed the descent of the Portway before stopping at the museum for refreshments. The bacon toasties are recommended. Both John and Susie left us at this point to head home before other activities. The remaining 3 of us continued as planned (with an interesting detour around the newish estate on the site of the former Icknield school/KA East Site, where Tim went as a youth). We then continued on NCN544 to Lockinge. With the sun making a welcome appearance, it was finally time to shed a few layers! After descending to Ardington, we decided to take the easier route home via Kingsgrove. Tim left us there while Lorna and I returned to Grove via the King Alfred's Way cycletrack. An enjoyable morning's outing; thanks all for your company. | ||
Distance:26.39 km (16.40 mi) | Ride Details:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50671450 | |
 | ||
| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50647738" | ||
Comment on this ride | ||
Thu May 8th 2025
| Daytime 2* Thursday Ride | 2* |
|---|
Leader:David Bridge |
Start Time:10:00 am |
Start Location:OMH |
Description:This is a ride up Holbourn and Hackpen hills and round by the Seven Barrows and back down Blowingstone Hill. Along the Vale to Childrey. Coffee at the Cantorist cafe. Return to Grove via Goosey and Denchworth.This ride is more hilly than usual so climb at your own pace and, if you arrive at the top in front be prepared to wait for the others. 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). |
||
Report:Left at 10:00 sharp. Managed to negotiate all the climbs successfully but was left feeling that this was on the limit of 2* morning rides from a climbing point of view.We did manage to get served in the Cantorist and 4 of us relaxed in the Grove Costa afterwards. | ||
Distance:40.23 km (25.00 mi) | ||
| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50643155" | ||
Comment on this ride | ||
- Ride Filter
- 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
- Recent Rides
-
Ride has photos
-
Ride has
comments
-
Ride Archive
*
© Cycling UK Wantage 2026, PHP v7.4.33
