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Dibley Dawdle | 3* |
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Leader:Nick Dunton |
Start Time:9:30 am |
Start Location:Benson Waterfront Cafe |
Description:Start at the Waterfront Cafe in Benson. Free parking in St Helen's Avenue opposite the cafe. Cafe opens at 08.00, so plenty of opportunity for caffeine loading and loo visits before the depart. We take the back way through Wallingford and over the Ridgeway to Ipsden, with a grungy, grass-down-the-middle lane to climb towards Stoke Row. After that, easier roads to Henley and the attractive riverside road to Remenham and the climb of Remenham Hill. Coffee stop at Velolife, Warren Row. From there it is fairly flat to the lunch stop at Jenner's Cafe, Maidenhead. We then ascend Winter Hill [the easier way], through Marlow, then lovely lanes through Freith and Fingest to reach Turville. Then it's hard work up the Turville Tunnel to Christmas Common and a fast descent of Watlington Hill. Then pretty flat home through Chalgrove. Afternoon tea at the Waterfront. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU INTEND TO RIDE - WON'T RUN IF NO TAKERS. |
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Report:Despite the dire weather forecast, this turned out to be a largely dry ride. Waterproofs mostly stayed in the back pocket, and the majority of surfaces were water-free, although recent rain had washed lots of gravel into the road, so care was needed in places. A wide variety of cycling clothes were on display at the depart. Soon after Checkendon Jan had two front wheel punctures within five kilometres, and yes they were two different punctures in different parts of the tyre. These were the only mechanical problems on the ride. We were a little behind schedule but still stopped for coffee at Velolife which was, as ever, full of the lycra-clad. Andy left us here to go and get some extra kilometres. Jenner's was quiet and efficient so we lunched and left within 30 minutes. The only other incident of note was the large agriculture vehicle descending Watlington Hill, which slowed our homeward plummet. | ||
Distance:107.30 km (66.67 mi) | Ride Details:http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10024599 | |
Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10024599" | ||
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1* ride from Botley - OXFORD SPECIAL | 1* |
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Leader:John Tranter |
Start Time:2:00 pm |
Start Location:Botley shopping centre - bottom of Cumnor Hill |
Description:WEATHER UPDATE: 12 noon, SUNDAYOK - I am cautiously optimistic that the worst of the rain has passed. The ride is ON!! A very special opportunity to use tracks, riverside and canalside paths and quiet streets to do a 17 mile 'urban safari' around Oxford. This ride really gives a remarkable insight into some hidden corners of this complex city and is almost entirely traffic free. This is an away-day ride, run at a beginner 1* pace. Meet in the car park behind the shops at the bottom of Cumnor Hill. Donâᅵᅵt be put off by the building work! Parking here is unrestricted on Sundays. We use the lovely track from North Hinksey to get to Osney Mead, then up the river, across Port Meadow to the canal, up to Wolvercote and then through the exclusive back streets of leafy Summertown until we get to the Marston Ferry Road. Then there is a fascinating series of hidden tracks and roads through to the Brooks University campus (including an unexpected manor house), then a swoop down to Florence Park and a final section of beautiful riverside towpath. Some of the tracks will be rough in places, so this is not the ride for carbon super bikes. Mountain bikes would actually work as well as hybrids for this. Really interesting - don't miss it! 17 miles at a leisurely pace - 10 or 11 mph. |
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Riders:Alvaro ReyCarin Tranter Diana Whidborne John Tranter Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Steve Swanton Riders = 7 Weather:Report:After a lot of anguishing over weather forecasts, it all turned out fine. No sun, but definitely no rain, which was a lot more important, The ground was a little wet and slippery in places, but on the whole the route was fine.It was great to see a valiant group turning up at Botley, despite the weather uncertainty. All went according to plan, except for a slip and a fall for Carin along an overgrown section of the Oxford Canal towpath. Nothing too serious, although we had a bunged up mudguard to try to fix along the way. The usual highlights were as interesting as ever - the river, the canal, the wealthy backstreets and of course the extraordinary Headington Hill Hall. The final section of river towpath was enlivened by the sight of an eights rowing boat in the colours of Wolfson/St Cross Colleges - it was nice for me to chat to some of my students as they moored by the boathouse. Thanks to all for your company! | ||
Distance:27.36 km (17.00 mi) | Ride Details:https://ridewithgps.com/trips/26585898 | |
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21484653" | ||
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