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Sociable leisure rides for enthusiastic cyclists

Ride Reports

17SundayMARCH

Away Ride: Witney to Rollright Stones

 105 km  1276 m  04:59  x4  x4
Ride Category
Starting out in light rain for the first hour, the weather steadily improved throughout the day such that we were blessed with full sunshine for the second half of the ride. Leaving Witney, in the first couple of km, I made two minor navigational errors to test if the team were paying attention - sadly they failed miserably.

Swiftly back on route we enjoyed a great day out riding through some beautiful parts of the North Cotswolds that have been less frequently visited by us. Along the way we encountered the tail end of a classic car rally at the picturesque Hook Norton Brewery and patted the dray horses there. We visited the fascinating 4000 year old King's Men stone circle at Rollright where we briefly conversed with two genuine druids who were there performing some mystic ritual. But the real highlight of the day occurred at the cafe where I got a free bowl of chips!

What a day!
12TuesdayMARCH

Blake's Kitchen

 55 km  230 m  02:27  x1  x1
Ride Category
A seasonal ride: March rains
Cinnamon rolls at Blake's Kitchen were fantastic.
Having invested in wet weather gear, this was a dry ride for me.
10SundayMARCH

Cumnor, Boars' Hill & Abingdon

 61 km  211 m  02:38  x6  x1
Ride Category
Somewhat damper than forecast but at least it wasn't cold - mostly drizzle with a couple of heavier showers, and we were glad to find a spare table in R&R on Mother's Day. Given the surface water and the ever-multiplying number of potholes there is something to be said for familiar roads! Well done everyone - the weather must surely improve soon.
5TuesdayMARCH

Tuesday Dorchester Snug

 69 km  294 m  02:53  x6  x1
Ride Category
3SundayMARCH

Wantage - Hermitage - Hilly

 58 km  744 m  02:49  x2  x1
Ride Category
Wantage was foggy and icy at 9am so I was delighted to see one other rider (Nick S.) pull into the square.

Climbing out of Wantage, however, soon saw brilliant sunshine which stayed with us as we undulated our way around the Berks Downs.

Hampstead Norreys café served up a great bacon sandwich and a lovely sunny patio.

Not every Corallian ride has an event photographer so big thanks to Larry for some great photos of us ascending Chain Hill! A nice surprise.
27TuesdayFEBRUARY

Wantage to Farringdon Tuesday Ride

 52 km  423 m  02:22  x5  x1
Ride Category


A chilly start to the ride, but no rain! With the advantage of some local knowledge (Phil) we by-passed Letcombe due to some road closures. When we reached the hill going up to Little Coxwell we encountered another closed ride, fortunately a driver waiting at the closed road sign said it was closed due to fallen telephone pole, but thought it was passable – he was waiting to get into his house just by the telephone pole as he had not been told the road would be closed! We made it through and arrived at the Faringdon Coffee House and cleaned them out of their choux buns!! The trip back to Wantage was uneventful, decided to avoid The Denchworth Road so had to go on the busy A338 for a short stretch. An enjoyable ride with no rain for a change.
25SundayFEBRUARY

Welcome Ride - The Cantorist

 54 km  253 m  02:23  x2
Ride Category
Lovely ride in the Vale. A bit cool at first but it soon warmed up.
After an initial loop and brief exertion up Fawler Hill we stopped at The Cantorist in Childrey. Given recent nearby closures it was great to see a popular local cafe. We joined a table with two cyclists from Newbury and as we sat down a 9 person peleton arrived from Witney.
The second loop was comfortable until we stretched our legs at Lains Barn.
20TuesdayFEBRUARY

Bloomfields - flat

 54 km  207 m  02:11  x5  x1
Ride Category
Mild conditions and a flat route tempted several members out of hibernation. They might have regretted it a little as we battled a steady headwind when not sheltered by the hedgerows. One of the benefits of the wind was the drying out of the vale following Saturday night’s downpour.
We took our time with coffee and carbs in Shrivenham, wondering how our legs would feel on the return journey. With the wind at our backs they weren’t tested. We returned to the market place in bright warming sunshine.
Thanks for a pleasant outing!
18SundayFEBRUARY

From Faringdon to Jolly Nice Cafe

 66 km  543 m  02:56  x4  x4
Ride Category
Even before this ride could start there were challenges to be overcome.
Oxfordshire was awash after last nights rain with several roads flooded. Each of us were forced to drive different routes through this water world to the start in Faringdon, Andy being the last to arrive - hampered as he was by driving a microcar.

We cast off only slightly behind the scheduled embarkation time and were soon sailing along in the unexpectedly warm conditions. We encountered numerous submerged sections, some of which were quite deep. We got through most of these by adopting the approach of waiting until a car came along so that we could watch them and gauge the depth before proceeding with caution. This worked well except for one section near Down Ampney where no obliging motor turned up and we decided it best to take a detour.

Reaching the Cotswold Water Park, which today was indistinguishable from the surrounding fields, we decided to check out the Lake 12 cafe and then to take a shortened route back. The cafe has a nice (all year round) lakeside location with a deck to sit on and take in the views. The food offering was OK, fine for coffee & cake but otherwise a bit basic.

Continuing on through countless more floods we got to within 2km of the finish before getting caught in a sharp shower that then stopped just as we reached the cars. Slightly annoying but hey-ho.

All up an enjoyable day out with some aquatic adventures adding to the fun.

The original destination of the Jolly Nice Cafe will be saved for another day.
13TuesdayFEBRUARY

Tuesday Morning Ride - Aldbourne

 57 km  696 m  02:31  x5  x2
Ride Category
The usual suspects plus Pam (on half-term hols) presented themselves at the Market Square to battle the elements. Good to see Richard back on a borrowed bike. After a slightly delayed start due to a lost mobile (later found) we headed out through Letcombe, dropping down Windmill Hill as the normal road remains closed by a flood. My first visit to the Old Forge Cafe in Aldbourne - food, ambience and coffee were very pleasant - only Pete partook in the pancakes despite it being Shrove Tuesday. Battle resumed after the break and we regained Wantage about 1330. Well done guys - a tough ride!