Cycling UK Logo
  • Home
  • Rides
  • Statistics
  • Route Sheets
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Cafes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Log in

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].

Sat Nov 23rd 2019
2* Saturday Half Day Ride 2*
Leader:
John Tranter
Start Time:
9:30 am
Start Location:
OMH
Description:
WEATHER UPDATE, Friday evening: the forecast is not great, but it's also not terrible. I am going to tough it out and so the ride is ON.

Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Might be a struggle for new or irregular riders in winter months.

This is a re-run of the ride we had to cancel in October (but with a morning start to catch the daylight): I want to try out the new cafe in Lambourn, so the route will be south through the Letcombes and Hackpen Hill (don't worry - it is a kindly hill which gives you a rest on a flat bit half way up). The reward is a brilliant swoop down across the Downs to Lambourn. After refreshments, we will return along the back road to Ashbury. This is where school geography comes into play as we realise how gentle the slope is on the back side of an escarpment. The dramatic drop down Ashbury Hill shows off the other side before we pootle home through the Vale.

34 miles - a few hills, but well worth it and we will stick to a gentle 2* pace.
Riders:
Des Higgs
John Tranter
Julie Haynes
Karl Blake
LeeAnn Norris
Richard Pethybridge
Roger Postbeschild
Roger Turnbull
Steve Swanton
Riders = 9

Weather:
cloudy with light rain
Report:
The forecast had been pretty dreadful all week, but we got a bit lucky on the day. It was grey and cold, but not raining when we set off, and with only a light easterly wind. The big climb of Hackpen Hill was dealt with well, although Steve succumbed to a puncture from a very nasty flint on Holborn and joined us later. We were rewarded with the big swoop down to Lambourn where we met up with Richard, who had cycled over from Newbury. Goodies Cafe is indeed very good! We were made very welcome and the cakes and coffee were first rate.

But - eventually we had to drag ourselves outside again and set off for Ashbury. It is a lovely valley road and it's always amazing how little you notice the gentle slope up. We then set ourselves for the big descent of Ashbury, which was great fun but unfortunately Karl slid on a nasty wet manhole cover on a bend and had a heavy crash. A bit bloodied and bruised but fit to carry on after some recovery time. The route home was straightforward, through Shrivenham, Uffington and Goosey.

Thanks to all for your company on a drizzly day!
Distance:
56.33 km (35.00 mi)
Ride Details:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/42215640
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31334795"
Comment on this ride

1

Written by : Karl Blake

Posted on : November 24, 2019 at 6:55 PM

Many thanks to everyone on the ride for their assistance and medical care after my crash.
Won’t be doing that again lol
Many thanks again Karl

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
Ride Calendar
« Aug 2025 »
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
Recent Rides
Sat Aug 30th 2025
—Half day ride to Coate Water Country Park
—RIDE CANCELLED - 3* Isle of Wight Special

Thu Aug 28th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
7 riders
—Ridgeway Cycles and CUK Wantage off-road ride
23km 2 riders

Tue Aug 26th 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride & Pub Night
—Tuesday Evening 2* Pub Ride
34km 9 riders
—Tuesday Evening 3* Pub Ride

Mon Aug 25th 2025
—Bank Holiday Special
85km 7 riders

Sun Aug 24th 2025
—Off Road Sunday Ride
24km 4 riders Ride has photos

Sat Aug 23rd 2025
—2* Saturday Half Day Ride
48km 6 riders

Thu Aug 21st 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
37km 5 riders
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
50km 9 riders

Tue Aug 19th 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
23km 9 riders Ride has photos
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride
27km 9 riders Ride has photos
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
29km 11 riders

Sun Aug 17th 2025
—Fairford

Sat Aug 16th 2025
—1* Saturday Half Day Ride
23km 5 riders

Thu Aug 14th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
31km 5 riders
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
39km 7 riders
—Ridgeway Cycles and CUK Wantage off-road ride
21km 6 riders Ride has photos

Tue Aug 12th 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
19km 9 riders Ride has photos
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
34km 9 riders Ride has photos

Sun Aug 10th 2025
—RIDE CANCELLED - Off Road Sunday Ride

Ride has photos Ride has photos
Ride has comments Ride has comments

Ride Archive

*

© Cycling UK Wantage 2025, PHP v7.4.29

Our Facebook Group Blog RSS Feed

Valid XHTML 1.0 Strict