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Sat Jul 1st 2023

3* Saturday Half Day Ride - Swindon Special	3*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Half day ride (60-70km / 38-45 miles), with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). A Swindon special ride - having careful avoided Swindon for years, I have recently been exploring and have come up with a new route incorporating the Springline Road, Fox Hill, NCN Route 45 from Chiseldon to Coate Water park in Swindon (including the amazing helter-skelter bridge over the M4), followed by a glorious quiet route out of Swindon to the east where we pick up familiar territory back in the Vale and head for Shrivenham and home. There are a variety of possible coffee / ice cream stops so we will decide on the day, depending on weather. 46 miles / 74km with some climbing in the first half, but a really interesting new route.
Riders: Barry Stanton Des Higgs Jenny Gower John Tranter Lisa Footner Paul Smith Terry Penn Riders = 7 Weather: Report: This was a new route I was keen to try out and it was great to gather such a good group to experience it with. I modified the outgoing route to avoid Wantage traffic and the often busy spring-line road towards White Horse Hill, so we took familiar roads across the Vale instead and climbed up at Knighton. We then did follow the spring-line road along to Hinton Parva before tackling the big climb of the day up Fox Hill. It was conquered with style and we soon found ourselves enjoying coffee/breakfast/brunch at the Three Trees cafe in Chiseldon - highly recommended with a new cafe extension and excellent service. We then headed along the very good quality NCN Route 45 path down towards Swindon, enjoying the helter-skelter bridge over the M4 and the views of Coate Water. Dragging Terry away from the Richard Jefferies Museum where he does volunteer work, we then enjoyed the delightful traffic free Route 26 out to Liddington and back out to the Vale and familiar roads. The tailwind then blew us home! Thanks to all for your company - definitely one to do again!
Distance: 77.25 km (48.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/126485415
The helter-skelter bridge over the M4 near Swindon The helter-skelter bridge over the M4 near Swindon Coate Water, Swindon Coate Water, Swindon
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43474164"
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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