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Sociable leisure rides for enthusiastic cyclists

Ride Reports

27WednesdayMARCH

Corallian Social Event

26TuesdayMARCH

Tuesday Morning Ride - Highworth

 57 km  479 m  02:27  x7  x3
Ride Category
Spring at last? Seven riders at the start, including Fabio, not seen since last season - (hope you'll re-join, Fabio). After cruising through Letcombe we picked up Simon in Childrey and enjoyed the lovely morning ride out to Highworth. TM Linnet being closed, we found space inside the Old Bakery. Phil left early from there for a more leisurely ride back to Wantage, returning along the A417 from Baulking. The remaining seven headed back via Uffington, Fawler and the spring line road. No incidents - nice ride!
24SundayMARCH

Welcome Ride - The Cantorist

 54 km  270 m  02:07  x6  x1
Ride Category
This was a great welcome ride - great to see Dave back after a long absence.
It was a lovely spring morning with quite a stiff breeze coming from the north. We had to work hard to make progress into the wind, but we kept it mostly pretty tight, rotating the lead at the front. And we whizzed along when we had the wind behind us. Of course we spread out climbing Fawler Hill but regrouped at the top before the run in to our cafe stop.
We sat out in the sunshine at The Cantorist topping up on much needed vitamin D and then resumed our tour of the Vale. We regrouped again after Lains Barn before the run back to the market place, which we reached at 11:40.
Thanks to all for a pleasurable ride.
19TuesdayMARCH

Tuesday Morning Ride

 67 km  430 m  02:52  x6  x1
Ride Category
The familiar Tuesday morning faces congregated in the Marketplace for what looked like was going to be a dry day, with the possibility of some sun. Nick arrived wearing some very bright orange overshoes, which caused some discussion, but apparently, they were to protect his new cycling shoes. Anyway, the ride to Root 1 with a tail wind was uneventful. Root 1 was relatively quiet, and it was warm enough to sit outside. The route home was into a head wind and contrary to my early comment as we approached Upton the heavens opened! Fortunately, by the time we got back to Wantage the skies had cleared. Overall, an enjoyable Tuesday ride.
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.