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Sun Dec 10th 2006

Annual Mince Pie Ride to White Horse Hill

Leader: Neil Warner	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: In aid of Whizz-kidz, the children's mobility charity. Our annual festive ride to White Horse Hill for mince pies and mulled wine. Join us for the ride from Wantage or at 11:15 at White Horse Hill NT car park GR 293866 and afterwards for lunch at the True Heart in Bishopstone. Please book lunch with Neil by Thursday 7 December. A full report of the 2005 event can be found here. Numbers and weather permitting 2 rides planned; "Easy ride. Challow, Childrey, Sparsholt, Westcot then along the downs road with riders choice of direction to White Horse. (Up & over or under and up). Longer faster/route through the Letcombes, over Hackpen Hill turn right over Seven Barrows down Blowingstone along downs road. After lunch I propose to do a gentle route across the vale through Shrivenham Fernham Hatford Charney and back to Wantage. People who want a shorter/more challenging pm can muster over lunch. Remember it's dark by 4:30 so lights are a must!
Riders: Barry Eastwood Bruce Howard David Roberts Derek Boutle Des Higgs Diane Stuckey Edith Hipwell Eve Thornton (decd) Gary Woodhead Henk Altmann (deceased) James Dawton Kevin Fairs Laura Makin Lucia Singer Marion Jones Martin Bate Mathew Hopkins Matt Chambers Mavis Rose Neil Warner Nigel Stuckey Pat Hurt Richard Divall Richard Page Robert Wyatt Simon Dales Stephen West Steve Swanton Steven Rogers Stuart Webb (dup) Sue King Tom Millar Wenfeng Yang Riders = 33 Report: Our numbers swelled by Didcot Pheonix two rides left town on a chilly morning. The quicks scooted off through the Letcombes, over Hackpen Hill turning right through Seven Barrows and down Blowingstone Hill. The more sedate group went through Challow, along the path to Childrey then along the lanes to Sparsholt and Westcot. Along the Downs road to the White Horse then riders took their choice as to which route to the carpark, up and over or the shorter direct route. Kev,Wen and Tom awaited with pies and mulled wine and we were joined by old friends and riders (they're friends too) from Lambourn and West Oxon. The weather held and Pheonix were amongst the first to leave keeping up those winter training miles. Good to see you guys and girls. 25 or so of the assembled company eventually moved on to the True Heart in Bishopstone for lunch. Many pubs and restaurants could learn from the slick and efficient service in this pub. Lunch and geography took its' toll, and seven of us set off for the return leg through Shrivenham, Longcot, Fernham, Shellingford, Hatford, Charney Bassett, Denchworth, Grove then home. Wet after lunch but with the wind at our backs we made good time and it was good to see Eve back on good form. Kev and Wen have the usual excess of mulled wine and mince pies but due to a previous engagement the post ride disposal party was not possible. Thanks to all who came, donated and enjoyed.
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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