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Regular Wantage Ride | 3* |
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Leader:David Smith |
Start Time:9:30 am |
Start Location:WMP |
Description:Tour of the HillsA hilly 82km ride to Hungerford via Lambourn, Aldbourne, Ramsbury and Froxfield. After a short lunch stop at either the Tutti Pole or Azuza cafe, both in Hungerford High Street, we will return to Wantage via Kintbury, Bagnor, Chieveley, Peasemore and finally Chain Hill. Hopefully there will be plenty of time for a coffee in Wantage Costa at the end. Pace will be to suit the group, but will probably be at the lower end of 3* pace. I may shorten the route a little on the day depending upon weather conditions. Lights may be required. |
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Riders:Andy PixtonDavid Smith David Talboys Frank Schroer John Tranter Katherine Boyce Ken Pelton Nick Dunton Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Weather:Report:9:24 on a cold and foggy morning and the usual discussion ensued as to whether we would bother riding if no-one else turned up Luckily, out of the mist, Nick emerged, declaring himself out of hibernation and swiftly followed by several more riders, so it was ride on!Riding through the Letcombes, our first test was Hackpen Hill at the top of which we stopped to admire the spectacular views of the fog. To be fair the sun was trying to burn through as we rode up the hill, just needed to try a bit harder. Down into Lambourn wasn’t as fast as usual with the wind trying to push us back up the hill in places but Aldbourne seemed to be reached very quickly. Turning towards Ramsbury, it was only a short while before we had to say goodbye to Katherine and John who needed to be back in Wantage and the rest of the group started to really warm up on Spring Hill. After that it was plain sailing to a sunny Hungerford and paninis, cakes and coffee in Azuza cafĂ©. After lunch, it was spring sunshine all the way through the undulations of Kintbury, Stockcross, Winterbourne, Chieveley, and Peasemore. A combination of hedge trimmings and winter debris on the roads culminated in a couple of punctures but with a pooling of ‘interesting items for fixing punctures’, waiting in the sun for the tube changes wasn’t a chore. Finally, emerging onto the B4494, it was every man for himself in the deserved swoopy descent down Chain Hill, meeting up again at Costa for an afternoon cuppa. On the short side at 50 miles, but, with over 1000m of climbing, not a bad way to come out of hibernation. | ||
Distance:80.30 km (49.90 mi) | Ride Details:http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1139464 | |
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=342337" | ||
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