Past Ride
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Sun Jun 9th 2013
| Chilterns Ride | 3* |
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Leader:John Talbot |
Start Time:9:30 am |
Start Location:Culham Lock |
Description:An alternative to the Tri-Vets ride for those under 50 or who didn't get on that ride.Starting from the large FREE car park at Culham Lock. The entrance is on the left just after you cross the Thames if travelling from the south. IMPORTANT :-The entrance to the car park has a 6'8" height barrier, if you are using a roof carrier remove your bikes before entering!! We will go via Wallingford onto the Chilterns Cycleway and mostly follow that to Princes Risborough with a lunchstop just beforehand at The Plough at Cadsden. We'll use the Phoenix Trail (good surface suitable for all bikes) past Thame and then through small villages on mostly small lanes back to the start. Options for a tea-stop at Waterperry Gardens or Notcutts if required. Route is 107km (67 miles) and fairly hilly. Most of the hills are before lunch. We'll take a steady touring pace (not fast). Expect around 5-6 hours cycling time. Please let me know if you wish to ride. |
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Riders:Angela SandersBarry Gills Bryan Charleston Chris Walters David Talboys Janet Charleston John Talbot John Tranter Nicole Pethybridge Steve Sanders Thomas Charleston Riders = 11 Weather:   Report:Eleven riders congregated at the start for this ride into the Chilterns. As forecast the morning started off rather dull and cool, it was tough deciding how many layers to wear when the forecast was for sunny and warm later. The NE wind was never too much of a bother as most of the outward route was sheltered.We quickly warmed up cycling to Wallingford before joining the Chilterns Cycleway. We had some fun and games on Swyncombe Hill as we encountered everything bar the kitchen sink coming down towards us! Mostly the participants in a 10km running race, some of whom were so concentrated on running they didn't see cyclists coming up the hill at them! Cars, horses, cyclists and ramblers followed on the way up. We encountered many groups of cyclists out on Sunday rides near Christmas Common, it's good to see two wheels hugely outnumbering four on the roads  The next challenge was Radnage Hill which follows a lovely descent. This one gradually ramps up and gets much steeper towards the top. Probably the toughest hill on the route  Near Saunderton a sudden bang heralded the only mechanical of the day as David's rear tube exploded. This was dealt with quickly and we were soon onto the third major climb of the day up the nicely named Pink Hill up Wardrobes Lane. This was a beautiful Chilterns climb, wooded with steep banks either side. The road was pretty steep too! One more smaller ascent (Langdown Hill) was climbed before the lunchstop which appeared suddenly on the left as we descended the other side of the hill, a few overshot and had to climb back up  Unfortunately the promised Sun hadn't arrived yet but the garden was sheltered and food arrived quickly so it was pretty pleasant. After lunch the downhill into Monks Risborough was rather chilly. The back roads into Princes Risborough was unfamiliar territory so I took a couple of wrong turnings before we found the town centre and the route onto the Phoenix Trail. Thomas and Bryan left us at this point for a more direct route home via Chinnor. The rest of us negotiated the rather rough link (looking at the map I think this could be avoided if we went this way again) onto the Phoenix Trail where the surface was smooth if a bit dusty for the first few km. The route is tarmac through Thame and pretty quick cycling. We took a comfort break at Thame Leisure Centre before pushing on through Shabbington and Ickford. The Sun was now beginning to come out and arm and leg warmers were starting to be dismissed as we took a tea and cake stop at Waterperry Gardens. Chris decided to push on back to Culham but the rest of us enjoyed a very pleasant break in the sunshine  The route back after tea took in the sharp incline out of Wheatley and the undulating road to Garsington but with the wind behind us we made good time. The final leg through the Baldons (and through the cricket pitch outfield) was also quick. That left us the much busier section to Golden Balls, Clifton Hampden (where the Sanders and Janet left to get home) and the A415 back to Culham. With the wind behind we made a good pace. Total cycling time was just over 5hrs, spot on my estimate and we were back in the car park at 4.30pm. Good going for a hilly 110km. It was nice to have an easy, social after lunch half to the ride with no major hills. Thanks for coming, I really enjoyed what was a very chilled and relaxed ride  | ||
Distance:109.70 km (68.16 mi) | Ride Details:http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1393479 | |
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| Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2383293" | ||
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- 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.
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