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Sociable leisure rides for enthusiastic cyclists

Ride Reports

9SundayJULY

Morning Ride to Combe

 69 km  831 m  03:00  x6  x2
Ride Category
At 8:30 as the rain was pouring down I didn't know how many to expect. As the clouds passed so decisions were made to ride, with a couple arriving just before 9am.

We took it gently, regrouping at the tops of hills, taking into account varied climbing strengths. A couple of us swerved the top 100 climb up to Combe, taking the gentler route through Upper Green. We all met up for a coffee at the marvellous Crown & Garter in Inkpen.

The return route in sunshine included an opportunity for some to stretch their legs on the road from Great Shefford. We were quorate in the shade of the garden at King Alfred's Head.

A friendly outing, ridden with equanimity.
5WednesdayJULY

Wednesday Evening Ride

 46 km  530 m  02:07  x3
Ride Category
Only three riders on a very decent evening for a ride. The light was beautiful after the recent rain and the views breathtaking.

A bit of a niggly headwind to Lambourn and we decided to take the optional extra hill at Eastbury and back down Goodings Lane.

A nice tailwind blew us up to Farnborough from Great Shefford and then it was just the descent down Chain Hill.

100% attendance at the KAH afterwards (beer)

4TuesdayJULY

Tuesday Morning Ride to Shrivenham

 51 km  392 m  02:12  x5
Ride Category
2SundayJULY

A proper All-day Ride to Brill

 117 km  652 m  04:51  x8  x2
Ride Category
A really enjoyable anticlockwise circumnavigation of Oxford.

The ride, via Clifton Hampton and Cuddesdon, to the first stop at Waterperry with a solid tailwind was completed at a decent lick. Disappointingly, we arrived before the servery was open so had to settle for cakes. We then set out for Brill, climbed the hill and paused to admire the windmill and views, while some of us had a quick coffee.

The ride to Eynsham was a bit of a slog into the steady westerly, but we mostly kept it compact, hence easier for those riding in the slipstream of the rotating riders at the front. The reward was a rich and varied brunch menu sitting in the garden of the Cherry Tree Cafe. We took our time!

The last leg back to Wantage was southwards and less windy. We made it back to another garden, this time courtesy of King Alfred's Head, by 3:40pm.
28WednesdayJUNE

Wednesday Evening Ride - Shrivenham - Fawley

 53 km  226 m  02:09  x4  x1
Ride Category
The forecast rain never arrived and our compact group enjoyed the warm conditions, light wind and relatively quiet roads. A very pleasant ride was completed with a drink at the KAH.
27TuesdayJUNE

The Chilterns - Maker Space Cafe

 89 km  771 m  03:55  x4  x1
Ride Category
Everything fell nicely into place to make this a very enjoyable day out. The recent hot conditions had backed off nicely to a pleasant level, so much so that we were all wearing arm warmers for the first 5 miles until we got warmed up. Climbing up some quiet lanes that I had not been along before, we arrived at the Maker Space Cafe at Nuffield. This place gets the Pete seal of approval, scoring highly in all criteria relevant to a cycling destination cafe. The large selection of cakes looked impressive, but on this occasion we all went for toasted sandwiches. For the more bohemian among us this involved avocado. After that it was a thrilling plunge down the steep hill through Fludger's wood (didn't spot any fludging going on though) and a cruise back to Wantage for a beer at the pub.
25SundayJUNE

Welcome Ride

 52 km  204 m  02:04  x5
Ride Category
Five of us rode to Abingdon in the sun.
We had coffee in the shade.
We rode back in the sun.
It was hot.
We rode with pride.
21WednesdayJUNE

Wednesday Evening Ride

 54 km  186 m  02:13  x6
Ride Category
A lovely summer solstice evening, sunny and not too hot.

A very pleasant ride around the Vale and up Boar's Hill. No dramas, no fuss, plenty of chat and a drink in the pub afterwards. Perfect :)

20TuesdayJUNE

Tuesday Morning Ride

 51 km  296 m  02:06  x3
Ride Category
May be the trentual rain earlier in the morning put some riders off,so only three set off from Wantage. Some of the minor roads still had some standing water, but apart from the small flood in Lockinge the conditions were not too bad. We took the Icknield Way as far as East Hendred, but decided to go on the road to Chilton. We enjoyed a coffee at Boswells in Didcot before heading back to Wantage via Harwell, Steventon, East and West Hanney. Simon peeled off home at Denchworth. The weather was kind and we did not encounter any further rain.

18SundayJUNE

Away Ride - Witney to Morton in Marsh

 91 km  1094 m  03:57  x5  x3
Ride Category
With a weather warning for localised thunderstorms in place I turned up at the start with fat tyres, mudguards, lights and my best waterproof. Well I needn't have bothered as we had not a hint of this all day. The route turned out to be a winner, taking in some lovely Cotswold scenery including some parts none of us had been through before. It makes use of mostly quiet back lanes so we had little traffic to deal with. The new to us Cotswold Barn Cafe also proved to be a hit and we can recommend it to you. As a bonus, it operates as a destination for car and motorbike clubs and today was hosting a fine gathering of classic Porches (they buggered off while I was distracted by bacon so no photo sorry). Our little group was of well matched ability so we pushed on in close formation and made good progress on this hilly profile. In summary - a quality day out.