Clubrun Reports - 6 November 2011

A selection of ride reports from today's four clubruns.

Steve Ferry writes:

Fred Hale led a ride to a Café that was new to me, The Flower Pot Cafe in Long Crendon. Good coffee and good cakes, which looked home made. The ride kept together on the way out and split up on the way back. I ended up in a group of four doing a chain gang through Christmas Common , Nettlebed and Sonning Common home.

Legs hurt and my computer shows 123km. Good day.

Steve

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Malcolm & Sue Nichols write:

8C- 15mph wind.
As usual, we were ushered away in appropriate groups. Malc's group started with 11 riders and headed into the foerecast north wind. At about eight miles we came across the fast/brisk groups, crowded onto a pub forecourt on the B481...surely not waiting for opening time. Then we spotted the one and only Mick Berry, indicating 'yes, it's me again' as he grinned widely - wheel in hand.

We might have chuckled then, but it wasn't long before we were in the same boat, Tom's rear deflated and he had no spare, so Chris 'Young Guns' gave him his, so they both were on a wing and a prayer for the rest of the ride.

Sure enough, at the Stockenchurch radio mast, the wing gave way and they prayed for a spare tube, Barry was Quick to offer one of his spares leaving himself short as he was on a non-stop ride. Barry then realised that he didn't have a pump, so borrowed Sue's which fitted his bike- Malc gave him another tube ready for when he left the group (at Chinnor) .
At this point Chris and Tom said they were turning right at A40 junction about 750yds up the road anyway, and would ring their parents for a lift back if needed.

Meanwhile, Trevor had headed for home down Pishill and the remaining eight riders a bit short of time so Malc cut the outward route by descending Aston Hill and entering Chinnor on the B4009.

30miles 15.6mph ave.

At elevenses we met Steve Thurgood tucking into a piece of flapjack. Beans on toast, bacon rolls etc. were favoured by our group and it wasn't long before Stuart Hargreaves turned up with his group of seven.

With just 7 riders for the homeward ride: Tony Webb, Robin, Stuart Moisey, Eamon Atkinson, M&S and new rider Paul Griffiths, our route was via: Sydmonton, Stoke Talmage, Cuxham, Ewelme, Ipsden and up Catsbrain Hill to Woodcote to descend Long Toll where Robin and Stuart TL leaving the group. The last five headed towards Reading where we split up at various point for home.

60miles 15.9mph ave 764m ascent 13C

M&S

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Ranjit Bahra writes:

Having had a belly full of brisk type riding I reverted back to steady but I think the old legs were still a little confused. I set of with 9 other riders, Authur, Brian, Ian, Miles, Mike, Nick C , Nick B, Neil and a chap on a blue bike (sorry but I forgot your name) heading along the A4 to Harwell against a tough headwind. Overall a steady ride at a good pace, became slightly disjointed near Compton where we split into about 4 groups believe it or not. Near West Ilsey all of the riders except three of us assumed a rt turn towards the A34, we three headec onwards towards Farnborough and everyone else caught up except Mike and Arthur who hopefully enjoyed their own little odyssey.

Nick sprung a rear leak ( eh-hem, I mean a rear slow puncture) on his brand new Pinarello on the way to Wantage, re inflated it then and at Wantage but somewhere just before Steventon he stopped to re inflate, unfortunately we didn't hear his plea to stop, too busy crunching the pedals, and by the time Ian turned back to find him he had just shot past the turning. He enjoyed his ride and later caught up with us outside the Bull at Streatley on our return leg.

Route out:

Reading -->Theale-->Bradfield-->Ashhampstead-->Aldworth-->Compton-->East & West Ilsey-->Farnborough-->Wantage-->Grove & East Hanney-->Steventon-->and to Harwell Q-Gardens, yes it is actualy called Q-Gardens.

Stats 37miles @15.8mph.

Route back:

Harwell-->Discote-->East & West Hagbourne-->Blewbury-->Sth Moreton-->Cholsey Hill-->Streatley-->Pangbourne-->Reading for some and Wokingham/Binfield for others and various other final destinations.

Final stats 62 miles @ 16.5mph Reading-Reading, for me ( and maybe Nick B) 78 miles and for Neil I guess 80miles.