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].
Ironstone Country | 3* |
---|
Leader:John Talbot |
Start Time:9:00 am |
Start Location:Woodstock |
Description:A special away day ride in the Ironstone hills of north Oxfordshire.Starting from the free car park next to the library off of Hensington Road in Woodstock (MAP this ride explores the rolling countryside of north Oxfordshire. We set off initially heading westwards to Charlbury before we turn north to The ride then explores small villages nestled in the north Cotswolds to Edgehill and its magnificent views. Descending steeply the ride crosses the M40 and almost immediately climbs the fabulous hill to Burton Dassett Hills Country Park. You have no doubt seen the tower on the hill to your right as you drive north on the M40! By now we will have dipped our toes into southeastern Warwickshire and before we return to Oxfordshire we will stop for lunch at the National Herb Centre in Warmington. After lunch the ride heads south to the west of Banbury past Broughton Castle, through the tranquil Barfords (birthplace of my paternal grandmother), Bloxham and the Bartons back to Woodstock. The ride is a decidedly lumpy 100km on mainly minor roads and lanes and we will aim to finish mid-afternoon before sunset (which is at 16:20). Option for an additional coffee stop at the end in Woodstock. I won't run the ride without support so please let me know if you intend on riding. Lights and warm clothing recommended for this autumnal ride. |
||
Riders:Andy ButcherAndy Newell Chris Walters David Smith David Talboys Derek Boutle Des Higgs Hugo Pile John Davies John Talbot Katherine Boyce Lyn Taylor Nick Dunton Nick Stokell Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Ursula Hallam Riders = 17 Weather:Report:An interesting ride. A large group of 17 riders gathered in the mist at Woodstock, a few more than I was expecting.We headed off to Charlbury finding our feet regarding pacing, unfortunately there was some tension at Enstone which saw us lose a couple of riders who turned back. Apologies for being a bit quick to defend, it's quite stressful managing such a large group and hard to keep it right for everyone. Anyhoo, the remaining 15 riders found the correct pace for the ride and we headed off to Great Rollright. Once the mist had cleared and the Sun came out we were greeted with fabulous views as we approached the tea-stop which is very popular with cyclists it seems! After a short break we continued to Edge Hill and IMO some of the finest cycling roads in Oxfordshire. We were hugely lucky with the weather, a perfect autumnal day, sun and little or no wind. After descending the hill we had the reward of climbing up to Burton Dassett and more fantastic views. Another short sharp climb through Warmington got us to the lunch stop at the National Herb Centre. This turned out to be really very good with excellent food and service. Recommended. We were a bit behind schedule and the air had definitely got cooler as we headed south back towards Woodstock. Chris suffered a valve failure in Bloxham and as he fixed it the curator of the local museum tried to persuade some of us to visit the last day of their WWI exhibition!! We declined but had an interesting chat with him nonetheless! The Sun was setting as we headed through the Barfords, and the gated road to the Bartons. After the final climb out of Middle Barton it's pretty easy cycling back to Woodstock and we arrived back in deep twilight around 5pm. Maybe a tad ambitious for November, we were about 45mins longer than I had planned for. I hope everyone enjoyed it anyway. It's a lovely route and maybe we can try it again in the spring or summer? Massive, massive thanks to Richard P, Nick D and David S for sweeping sections of the ride. An invaluable and essential role on today's ride. I owe you all one. | ||
Distance:110.30 km (68.54 mi) | Ride Details:http://www.strava.com/activities/217414916 | |
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6095777" | ||
Comment on this ride |
Thu Nov 21st 2024 |
—RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
|
Tue Nov 19th 2024 |
—Virtual Turbo
|
Sun Nov 17th 2024 |
—Half day to Coleshill
60km 7 riders |
Sat Nov 16th 2024 |
—1* Saturday Half-Day Ride to Longworth
32km 10 riders |
Thu Nov 14th 2024 |
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
24km 6 riders |
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
38km 13 riders |
Tue Nov 12th 2024 |
—Virtual Turbo
7 riders |
Sun Nov 10th 2024 |
—3* Sunday Shortie Villages through the Vale
39km 3 riders |
Sat Nov 9th 2024 |
—2* kick-off for the White Horse Challenge
52km 4 riders |
Thu Nov 7th 2024 |
—Daytime Thursday 1* ride
19km 4 riders |
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
55km 7 riders |
Tue Nov 5th 2024 |
—Virtual Turbo
9 riders |
Sat Nov 2nd 2024 |
—3* Saturday Half Day Ride
59km 9 riders |
Thu Oct 31st 2024 |
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
6 riders |
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
38km 6 riders |
Tue Oct 29th 2024 |
—Virtual Turbo
|
Sun Oct 27th 2024 |
—3* Sunday Shortie
46km 1 riders |
Sat Oct 26th 2024 |
—2* Saturday Half Day Awayday Ride
50km 9 riders |
Thu Oct 24th 2024 |
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
25km 3 riders |
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
46km 15 riders |
Tue Oct 22nd 2024 |
—Virtual Turbo
|
Sat Oct 19th 2024 |
—1* Monthly Half Day Ride
21km 6 riders |
—New Forest Autumn Colours
77km 7 riders |
Thu Oct 17th 2024 |
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
27km 3 riders |
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
44km 12 riders |
*