Past Ride
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Wed May 1st 2024
| Oxford Special May Day ride | 3* |
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Leader:John Tranter |
Start Time:5:30 am |
Start Location:OMH |
Description:This year May Day falls on a Wednesday, but this doesn't stop the ancient Oxford tradition of the choir singing at sunrise from the tower of Magdalen College. So I am repeating our now traditional slightly bonkers May Day sunrise ride to Oxford and back, hoping that some may still be able to join a midweek version. The bad news is - it starts at 5.30. The good news is this means we can catch the wonderful early morning light on the river and the ancient buildings of Oxford, as well as hopefully getting at least some sense of the occasion. I can't guarantee that we will be able to get anywhere near the Magdalen tower - I suspect the whole city will be going crazy - but it should be an adventure!We head out to Fyfield, under the Tubney tunnel and across to Sunningwell before joining the river by Kennington for a lovely route into town past the College boathouses with views across Christ Church Meadow. Then we will take a look at some of the best buildings Oxford has to offer (including my own St Cross College) before heading out of town along the Oxford Canal to Wolvercote for a big loop around Port Meadow. Finally we conquer Cumnor Hill and head for home. It is just over 40 miles and my plan is to be back in Grove by around 9.30-10. Costa in Grove will be open for post-ride refreshments and facilities. Please let me know in advance if you are joining the ride. |
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Riders:Barry StantonJohn Tranter Katherine Boyce Paul Smith Sharon Bedford Simon Wysocki-Jones Riders = 6 Weather: Report:Always amazing that people are willing to get up so early for this slightly wacky ride. Pretty decent weather for this one, although a little cloudy at first so we didn't get to see the sun rise. However we had some moody mist on the river and it got sunnier as the ride went on. We were in time to see the general mayhem around town following the traditional May Day singing from the tower of Magdalen College - morris dancers and green men were much in evidence and we had a chat with a lady with a hunting horn on her way from one church tower to another to blow in the day! Great to bump into Lizzie H as we stopped off at St Cross College before heading up the canal towpath to Port Meadow, conquering Cumnor Hill and heading for home. This was the first midweek version of this ride and we certainly saw a lot more rat running traffic on the lanes. Another lesson is that the cafes were open so next time we will build in a coffee stop. Having said that, Costa in Grove was great for this occasion! Thanks to all for great company and a great ride. | ||
Distance:70.81 km (44.00 mi) | Ride Details:https://ridewithgps.com/trips/171730499 | |
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| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45956142" | ||
Comment on this ride | ||
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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.
- 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.
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