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].

Sun Sep 4th 2022
Battlefield Tour - France, Day 2 3*
Leader:
Richard Pethybridge
Start Time:
9:00 am
Start Location:
Bayeux
Description:
Day 2 of the Normandy trip, basically heading on a meandering route back towards the ferry port at Ouistreham. Lunch is planned for the bistro next to Pegasus Bridge.
Riders:
David Bridge
David Jackson
Eddie Little
Guy Pethybridge
Jo Little
John Davies 2
John Tranter
Jon Townsin
Karen Townsin
Neil Bridge
Nicole Pethybridge
Richard Pethybridge
Stephanie Haddrell
Riders = 13

Weather:
sunnysunny intervals
Report:
Sunday dawned to reveal a gorgeous sunny morning and perfect early autumn conditions for a ride. After a tasty breakfast we left Bayeux on a wandering route, stopping first at the Commonwealth Cemetery (the largest WW2 one in Europe) and then for the obligatory group photo at the cathedral. A lovely rolling route through very pretty countryside followed, including a brief stop at another CWGC cemetery at Ryes. An enforced diversion (apparently we were not allowed to share the roads with a running race) took us through Creully, with the fortuitous provision therein of a toilet break not involving convenient vegetation!

A brief stop at the museum near Douvres-la-Deliverande that showcases a German radar station was followed by a really nice run further east to the Caen Canal and a welcome lunch at the "Trois Planeurs" café next to Pegasus Bridge. After the obligatory explanation of Operation Deadstick (including the fact that Lt Richard Todd was one of the first troops to relieve the original attackers, before going on to play Maj Howard, who led the attack, in the film "The Longest Day";) the group split with the Abingdon crew occupying themselves in the afternoon until their later ferry.

The rest headed north along the canal towpath in the sunshine and a pleasant tail-wind towards the port at Ouistreham. As we caught the very welcome sight of our ferry berthed alongside, Karen and Jon left us to continue their holiday and the rest of checked in for the voyage home.

All in all, despite changes to ferries, coach trips, diversions and one flat tyre this was an excellent weekend away with a super group of people. And I even managed to plan a little bit of off-road action for Guy on his MTB as a reward for his excellent sweeping :-)
Distance:
57.50 km (35.73 mi)
Ride Details:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/101964551
At the Bayeux cemetery
At the Bayeux cemetery
Exploring the Bayeux cemetery
Exploring the Bayeux cemetery
Group photo by Bayeux cathedral
Group photo by Bayeux cathedral
Wheeling through Normandy
Wheeling through Normandy
Cornfields of Normandy
Cornfields of Normandy
The peloton rides the canal!
The peloton rides the canal!
Waiting for the ferry home
Waiting for the ferry home
Embarking on the Caen-Portsmouth ferry
Embarking on the Caen-Portsmouth ferry
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40546046"
Comment on this ride

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
« Jul 2025 »
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031
Recent Rides
Thu Jul 17th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride

Tue Jul 15th 2025
—RIDE CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride - CANCELLED due to rain
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride

Sun Jul 13th 2025
—RIDE CANCELLED - Off Road Sunday Ride
—Brunch Ride
77km 7 riders

Sat Jul 12th 2025
—2* Saturday Half Day Ride
29km 3 riders Ride has photos

Thu Jul 10th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
26km 9 riders Ride has photos
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
40km 9 riders

Tue Jul 8th 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
24km 3 riders
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
43km 9 riders

Sun Jul 6th 2025
—The Betjeman Ride
32km 13 riders

Sat Jul 5th 2025
—3* Saturday Half Day Ride - Ox Shed Cafe.
74km 8 riders Ride has photos

Thu Jul 3rd 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
29km 6 riders Ride has photos
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
37km 8 riders

Tue Jul 1st 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
22km 4 riders
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride - combined with 1* this evening
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
48km 7 riders

Sun Jun 29th 2025
—Summer Off Road Ride - Cancelled - No Takers!
—Oxfordshire Tri-Vets and Annual Century Ride
161km 8 riders

Thu Jun 26th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
16km 2 riders
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
56km 8 riders

Tue Jun 24th 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride & Pub Night
24km 7 riders

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