Past Ride
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].
Sun Nov 9th 2014
| 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 | ||
- 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
Thu Apr 3rd 2025 —Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
24km 5 riders—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
Tue Apr 1st 2025 —Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride
18km 3 riders
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride
26km 10 riders
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
32km 13 ridersSun Mar 30th 2025 —3* Sunday Shortie ++
86km 5 ridersSat Mar 29th 2025 —5th Saturday Special - away day from Lechlade
52km 9 riders
Thu Mar 27th 2025 —Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
21km 8 riders—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
54km 13 ridersTue Mar 25th 2025 —Virtual Turbo
Sun Mar 23rd 2025 —3* Sunday Shortie
47km 4 ridersSat Mar 22nd 2025 —2* Saturday Half Day Ride to Lechlade
68km 9 ridersThu Mar 20th 2025 —RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
18 ridersTue Mar 18th 2025 —Virtual Turbo
7 riders
Sun Mar 16th 2025 —Regular Wantage Ride
97km 6 ridersSat Mar 15th 2025 —1* Saturday Half Day Ride to Steventon
33km 5 ridersThu Mar 13th 2025 —Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
21km 5 riders
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
50km 6 ridersTue Mar 11th 2025 —Virtual Turbo
5 ridersSun Mar 9th 2025 —3* Sunday Shortie. Seven Barrows
37km 4 riders
Sat Mar 8th 2025 —2* Saturday Half Day Ride
55km 5 ridersThu Mar 6th 2025 —Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
19km 8 riders—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
40km 11 ridersTue Mar 4th 2025 —Virtual Turbo
7 riders-
Ride has photos
-
Ride has
comments
-
Ride Archive
*
© Cycling UK Wantage 2025, PHP v7.4.29
