Cycling UK Oxfordshire organises its own rides and we also highlight some rides run by other local groups.

Even if you are not a Cycling UK member, you will be welcome on any ride that is within your capabilities and we will be happy to match you up with suitable rides. In general, you can ride for free on three rides before deciding whether to join Cycling UK.

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Blowingstone Audax 2015

Sun 17 May 2015 - 9:30am

Start Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, SN7 7RA [OS 174 GR 306894]

Second running of this revived CTC Wantage event.  107km Audax ride starting from Uffington with Control in Marlborough at The Food Gallery, plus four information controls (please bring a pen).  Light refreshments will be available at the start, cakes and sandwiches at the finish. Organized under Audax UK regulations.   Entry Fee £5.  Please complete entry form which is downloadable from Audax UK website.  Follow links below for further details.

About the route: The route is named after the Blowing Stone – a perforated sarsen stone that can be made to ‘sound’ if blown correctly – that is situated close to the route.  Blowingstone Hill is one of the major climbs on the route to ascend to the Ridgeway.  Uffington White Horse – a ‘real’ Bronze Age artefact rather than a Victorian copy – is visible during the final kilometres.  The horse is used as a logo on the CTC Wantage cycling jerseys.

The halfway point – Marlborough – is a charming town with many opportunities for coffee and lunch.  The control café is quite small, so it may be preferable to seek an alternative for refreshment, rather than endure a long wait.  There are numerous alternatives in Marlborough as well as pubs en route, some of which are highlighted on the route sheet.

The route includes many small lanes with uncertain road surfaces that can get muddy and slippery in wet conditions.  Be prepared for potholes and punctures!  Mudguards are advisable – especially in wet conditions – as a courtesy to other riders and our café control.  The off-road sections in Marlborough and through Coate Water Park have been removed following several adverse comments last year. Route is now entirely on tarmac.  To maintain distance, there is an extra loop through Shrivenham and the final 15km are flat and fast, in nice contrast to the rest of the route. All distances are approximate and in km.

Information controls require you to write the answer to a simple question on the Brevet Card you will collect at the start.  Remember to take a pen!

Ride report

Nick Dunton writes:  A very successful audax event. There were 92 entries, 17 did not start, and 7 failed to meet the cut-off time, making a total of 68 validated riders.

Everything seemed to go smoothly – apart from the man who collided with the tractor! [He was unhurt, fortunately.] Again we were lucky with the weather. We made a surplus of around £370. This will be donated to the Oxford & Chilterns Air Ambulance, as last year.
Huge thanks to those who helped on the day, and those who donated cakes for the refreshments.
Likely date for next year: Sunday 8 May 2016. Running an event like this does a lot to raise the profile of the Group in local cycling circles, and gives us an opportunity to promote our activities in the wider community.
Please visit the event entry on the Wantage website for photos.

Details

Date:
Sun 17 May 2015
Time:
9:30am
Event Category: