Past Ride
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Sat Mar 15th 2025
| 1* Saturday Half Day Ride to Steventon | 1* |
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Leader:Steve Swanton |
Start Time:1:00 pm |
Start Location:OMH |
Description:With a north-easterly breeze forecast, a good excuse for an easterly ride, repeating a Spring route from 2022 to Steventon. We'll head into Wantage to pick up NCN route 544 to Ginge, then a short stretch of the Icknield Greenway to East Hendred. We'll zig zig through to the top of Milton Hill, enjoy the descent of Steventon Hill before a refreshment stop at one of the pubs in the village. We'll return across Cow common to the Hanneys and back into Grove via Denchworth.Our regular social and family ride on the third Saturday of the month, usually with a cafe stop. We cover 16-32km (10-20 miles) at a leisurely pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph), tackling the occasional hill (nothing too long) and easy off-road track (conditions permitting). Please let the ride leader know if you are planning to come. |
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Report:It was another cold day with a chill north-easterly breeze and, at the start, several of us were wondering whether we'd layered up enough. But, the sun was out and stayed out for most of the ride, making all the difference. Apart from an exposed stretch of the Icknield Greenway above West Hendred, our outward route was largely sheltered from the breeze and we made steady progress, regrouping at the usual 1* places: the end of the cycletrack on Larkhill; by Best Mates' statue in Lockinge and at the top of Betterton Hill to admire the panoramic views.We enjoyed controlled descents into East Hendred and then a little later into Steventon. Highlight of the ride was a tour of Steventon, cycling along the Causeway sparkling with daffodils along the verges and celandines in the ditches, then going beyond the railway to stop by the church and admire the monsters nearby! Thanks to some local info. from Barry (the Fox Inn having closed and the Cherry Tree just changing managers), plan B was adopted to stop at the Plough in West Hanney instead. So after a relatively long haul in single file across Cow Common, mostly with a tailwind, our refreshment stop was most welcome. We found the pub, and tent behind in the garden, full with Rugby fans watching the climax of the six nations. However, there was a small area of patio behind in the sunshine where we were able to settle down to a quiet drink and natter. Eventually we pulled ourselves away for the short ride back to Grove. Thanks all for your company on a very easy ride to lead. | ||
Distance:32.51 km (20.20 mi) | Ride Details:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49987172 | |
| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38785594" | ||
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- 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.
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