Past Ride
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Sun Jul 9th 2023
| Oxfordshire Century (100-mile) Ride 2023 | 3* |
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Leader:Robin Tucker |
Start Time:8:00 am |
Start Location:Clover Place car park, Eynsham |
Description:Update 27/6 - the route and refreshment stops have now been finalised.The classic annual Century ride organised by Cycling UK Oxfordshire. Challenge yourself to cover 100 miles, but enjoy company and the support of the group on the way. This year's century will start at 8am from the Clover Place car park in Eynsham (Grid Ref SP432094). The route will be the same as that used in 2018 (as per link below). We will head northwards across the ironstone country of North Oxfordshire climbing steadily to the top of the Cotswold escarpment, stopping for coffee at Wyatt's Farm Team Room, Great Rollright (24.5 miles). After the break, the route drops into Warwickshire, heading north along the foot of Edgehill before turning north-westwards and continuing into the Avon valley. Lunch can be taken at the Touchdown cafe at Wellesbourne airfield (50 miles). After some very pleasant rolling countryside in the afternoon, the route climbs back into the Cotswolds, the easy way, through the Evenlode Gap, with a pop-up refreshment stop in Kingham (77.5 miles). The final quarter is predominantly downhill, interrupted by a short haul out of the Evenlode valley before a drop to the Windrush at Swinbrook. The route returns to Eynsham through Minster Lovell, Cogges and South Leigh, hopefully with a tailwind . Total distance just over 100 miles. Estimated finish ~7:15 to 7:30pm This will be a led ride at a steady pace of 12-14 mph. Due to the popularity of this ride, please register with Robin. We may split into 2 or 3 groups depending on numbers. Also, please let Robin know if you have any particular allergies or dietary requirements to help with cake selection. |
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Report:We always think of our Annual Century ride as four 25 mile rides, interspersed with food and drink. It's a good way to help us get round, and this time each of the four had a distinct character.17 riders gathered under a somewhat mischievous 8am sky in Eynsham for the start. We divided into 8 riders, mostly from the Oxford group, and 9 riders, mostly not, to make the ride easier to manage. John Skevington, with Martin and Pauline Casey (on tandem) led off the first group, and I led off the second group a few minutes later. The start involved crossing the A40 before gaining the quiet of Cuckoo Lane. From there, the route was mostly quiet of traffic - possibly the best of our three regular Century routes, or possibly this was because all the keen drivers were distracted by the Silverstone Grand Prix. My thoughts about the sky were proven after a few miles when a shower began. A few jackets were already on, and a few were added. Then it stopped and some jackets came off again. About halfway through this stage we caught up with the first group "We're taking our clothes off!" shouted John - how long they took over this I'm not sure, but we arrived at the first stop before them. This first stage was the hilliest and rainiest, and tea and cake at Wyatts at Great Rollright was a great relief, particularly with the sun emerging. The second stage was flatter and we gained a tail wind. The countryside was pleasant and everything just breezed along as we chatted and pedalled our way to Wellesbourne Airfield, near Stratford-on-Avon for lunch. Lunch there is fairly basic, but reliable and as substantial as you want it. We had two riders who had not made a Century before - Lisa and Nigel. Lisa had ridden 93 miles, and was in good form, she didn't forsee any problem. Nigel had ridden up to 100k before, so wasn't so sure and had his wife on standby. But at the midway point, he understood that the 3rd checkpoint was just another 25 miles - he could do that. And then the 4th would only be another 25... He was, unfortunately a little bit cheated. The third stop was 28 miles further, it was hilly again, and there was a headwind. The scenery continued to deliver, and the roads remained quiet - but it was distinct that the peloton was also more quiet. We rolled on, sometimes a split emerging, and rejoining, but generally doing the business of covering the miles. At last we arrived at Kingham and the delightful sight of Steve and Lorna Swanton waving to us from the green, where they had arranged a picnic for us. The joy of a stop with no queues, or waiting for orders to be delivered - we just dived in to the supplies of cake, crisps and squash that they had brought! We topped up our bottles, took a photo, but still the second group had not arrived - a little concerning? I was glad to find out later that they arrived about 5 minutes after our first group departed. The final leg was again a bit easier. We had turned out of the wind, got into flatter terrain (with the exception of hills before and after Swinbrook) and we could smell the end of the ride. The final section from South Leigh to Eynsham saw a noticeable picking up of pace on a smoother road with a tail wind. And then we were there! Back in the car park where we had started 10.5 hours before. 9 of us in the first group, and 30 minutes later, another 7, followed shortly by one who had preferred to go at a solo pace. All 17 were very happy with the day, and I think possibly none more so than Nigel who had achieved something that he didn't expect to! | ||
Distance:162.54 km (101.00 mi) | ||
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| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27011573" | ||
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- 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.
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