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Past Ride

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Sun Jun 18th 2017

Summer Solstice Ride	3*

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 4:00 am	Start Location: Wantage Market Place
Description: Please note - revised start time! After a year of absence the Summer Solstice madness ride is back! We leave Wantage Market place at 4.00 to get to a viewing point on the Ridgeway to see the sunrise on the (very nearly) longest day at 4.48. From the top of Hackpen we head off south via Lambourn, Ashbury to Chilsledon for a welcome coffee stop. From there we head to Avebury via Broad Hinton to pass the Standing Stones and head south before looping back up via Pewsey and Great Bedwyn to a much needed breakfast at Hungerford. Once refreshed, we head back over the Lambourn valley to get the final reward of a downward excursion of Chain Hill and journey's rest at the Marketplace. This is a big day out with 123 kilometres of cycling and 1300 metres of climbing, so be prepared for 6 - 7 hours in the cycle and a good number (I count eight!) of hills. Lights will be essential and I recommend bringing some snacks to munch whilst we wait for the sunrise. Let me know if you're aiming to join us so we can plan accordingly.
Riders: Barry Stanton Eddie Little Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Richard Saunders Steve Swanton Riders = 8 Weather: Report: Wow, es mucho scorcio - at least it was when we finished! What a fantastic ride. Eight brave souls dragged themselves out of bed for a 4.00 am start from Wantage Market place. Strangely enough, it was nearly going home time for some of Wantage's younger specimen. We passed one walking home to Lambourn - twice! The sunrise viewed from the top of Hackpen was spectacular to say the least and the temperature was a gentle 14 degrees - so apart from the early morning flies it was a fantastic start to the ride. Steve travelled with us to Lambourn from where he headed off to Polly's Tea rooms in Marlborough. We meanwhile cycled off up the Ridgeway again and down again to Ashbury and up to Fox Hill and down again (you get the idea) to a welcome coffee stop at Chiseldon. The organisers of the Sunday Sportive had kindly marked out 90% of the route and our Garmins finished off the job by leading us to a very quiet and civilised sojourn at Avebury by 7.30. Eddie and Richard (battling hay fever) shared the King of the mountain while Barry wore the best young rider's jersey (!). Everyone managed the pace of 22.1 kph and the climb of 1,383 metres very well indeed, considering the total length of 122.3 km. A welcome stop at The Tutti Pole in Hungerford for breakfast set us up nicely for the final 30 km back to Wantage. The final pull up the back of the escarpment was a tough section but everyone made it to be rewarded with the final fling down Chain Hill. Joy came out to cheer us on toward the end (that is what you were doing there, wasn't it Joy?!). Well done to all riders and I've booked the weather again for next year !
Distance: 122.20 km (75.93 mi)
watching the sun rise. Sun rise on Hackpen alone with the stones at Avebury. enjoying the solstice ride 2017.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21319834"
Comment on this ride

Written by : John Tranter

Posted on : June 19, 2017 at 9:06 PM

Great ride. One of the highlights of the year!

Written by : Eddie little

Posted on : July 1, 2017 at 6:20 PM

Best ride for me so far, very atmospheric!

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