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Past Ride

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Sat Jun 4th 2016

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Phil Ward	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 60-70km (38-45 miles) afternoon ride, with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Likely to visit distant destinations. Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. Minor route edit made on Friday 4pm to remove a couple of km of potentially busy B4494. A vertically challenging, breathtaking, in more ways than one but manageable picturesque loop Southwards. We start out heading up Chain Hill (the hardest section of the ride) and will re-group at the very top, in the turn-in to Lockinge Kiln Farm. Dropping after Farnborough, down Copperage Road to pass the Harrow & its improbably sloped cricket pitch at West Ilsley, a right then takes us up the pretty and recently mended Catmore Road leading to the climb of Sheep Leaze Lane towards Peasemore before pushing South again to Chieveley. The Winterbourne / Bagnor Road is a particular favourite single carriageway lane, running alongside a bubbling stream boasting watercress for a stretch. An impromptu scenic pause can be taken near the Watermill Theatre/The Blackbird pub if required - bring whatever nibbles and drink e.g. cereal bars/bananas etc for refuelling. Turning for home at Speen on the Lambourn Road we will head up to Boxford and then turning gradually Northwest, rising steadily (some might say incessantly!) over a series of rolling climbs via Chaddleworth (Tower Hill) to attain the Saddleback Tea stop after approx. 54km. Refuelled, the plunge down the three drops of Chain Hill is just reward for our efforts. Naturally, those wishing to push-on or take a more leisurely tea stop are of course free to DIY from there - just let me know on the day please?
Riders: Allen Stacey Andy Newell Chris Walters Hugh Falkner Jason Jones John Tranter Jon Townsin Joy Arthur Karen Townsin Lyn Taylor Nick Stokell Pam Stokell Peter Brodie Phil Ward Richard Saunders Riders = 15 Weather: Report: 14 riders assembled at OMH, we had a relaxed start to proceedings as Pam was dispatched on a mission to nip home and pick up her glasses & meet us at the foot of Chain Hill. We made our way to the top of Chain in various groups and reassembled, complete with Pam & glasses, having taken a minor detour to wait at Court Hill A fly-munching descent of Copperage Road was enjoyed and we were treated to cricket in progress at West Ilsley. Here, we encountered a minor obstacle in that fresh chippings had just been laid all along the Catmore Road which made the climb arduous and the descent down right unnerving. Good skills enabled us all to emerge unscathed & without punctures ready to tackle the next climb, that of Sheep Leaze Road leading on to a further, but thankfully shorter, stretch of fresh chippings. Beautiful lanes and pretty villages followed in quick succession until we entered the Winterbourn Valley and revelled in the gentle downhill gradient whisking us towards the Southerly turn at Bagnor. A brief roadside halt for sustenance marked the start of the return leg, passing along the Lambourn Valley to Boxford where we met and were joined by Chris Walters, returning from visiting Phil Stubbings (sadly still suffering the after affects of his Mallorca mishap - get well soon Phil ) Four split off near the top of Chain Hill and headed on down, leaving the rest of us to take a relaxed tea stop at Saddleback Farm before rounding off with a final ascent to Farnborough, Chris departed Southwards and the rest of us flew down Chain Hill to end off a marvellous afternoon. Thanks all for your company and good cheer over some testing terrain and obstacles !
Distance: 65.70 km (40.82 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9300643
Richard conquers Chain Hill Richard conquers Chain Hill Hugh conquers Chain Hill Phil splits the peloton on Chain Hill Andy and Lyn conquering Chain Hill Andy conquers Chain Hill Jason conquers Chain Hill Nick conquers Chain Hill Pam conquers Chain Hill Pam conquers Chain Hill
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13154811"
Comment on this ride

Written by : Karen Townsin

Posted on : June 4, 2016 at 8:33 PM

Great ride Phil and very well led.

Ride Filter

Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

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