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.
- This event has passed.
Blowingstone Audax 2014
Sun 18 May 2014 - 9:30am
Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, Oxfordshire, SN7 7RA [SU 306894]
A welcome return of CTC Wantage’s Blowingstone Audax. Starting from Uffington in the Vale of White Horse, this is a 106km cycling event through the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natual Beauty.
Organized under Audax UK regulations with average speed limits between 15 kph (minimum) and 30kph (maximum), so time limit is just over 7 hours. Entry fee £5.00. Bookings in advance – see Audax UK website for details. CTC Members do not have to join Audax UK or pay the additional £2 to cover insurance.
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 also close to the start. 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 pubs en route, some of which are highlighted on the route sheet.
The route traverses Coate Water Country Park which has a miniature railway that will be running on the day of the ride – http://coatewaterrailway.webs.com/
The route included many small lanes with uncertain road surfaces that can get muddy and slippery in wet conditions. There are also two short stretches of bridle path. Be prepared for potholes and punctures. Mudguards are advisable – especially in wet conditions – as a courtesy to other riders and our café control.
Further details at the CTC Wantage website and via the links below.
Ride report
What a glorious day for a challenging ride. 61 riders completed the course on what was the hottest day of the year so far. The verges of the Wiltshire lanes in particular were filled with wild flowers, there were several grand panoramic views from the tops, and after the testing climbs, we enjoyed some fantastic sweeping descents. Wonderful cycling. A brief report and a link to all of the pictures taken on the day can be found on the CTC Wantage website: http://www.ctcwantage.org.uk/rides.php?id=2001.
Many congratulations to Nick on organising his first Audax event and a big thank you to all those who helped to make things run so smoothly on the day, not least for the much needed refreshments at the end.