Welcome to the Oxfordshire’s
Mid-week Section’s [or OMS] web pages. This section was formed to cater for
those who don’t have to work during the week, or are not allowed out at the
weekend!
The following
sections explain a little about our activities, and some of the more important
items you may maybe interested in.
About
the Oxon Midweek Section
About the Oxon Midweek Section
Although the OMS
covers all of Oxfordshire, to be fair it mainly caters for those in the south
of the county. The group was officially formed in 2003
although “unofficial” Wednesday rides had taken place for a number
of years. The current programme consists of pre-planned rides every other
Wednesday starting from various places, and “impromptu” rides starting from
Witney on the intermediate Wednesdays, where distance and direction are decided
on the day, depending on those present. However, we hope to make some changes
in the coming months, so watch this space. All these rides take place
throughout the year.
Frequently asked
questions are how and where do we go, and how far? The way we organise the
rides is that the volunteer who leads, chooses the starting point (These are
the organised fortnightly rides), normally near a free car park. The
quoted mileage is from and returning to this point, and varies from 30 to 60
miles. Of course you can always ride directly from and return to your home,
which will increase your mileage, however the actual ride will always be based
on the slowest rider's pace. We do not abandon riders.
Members will often car share where necessary.
So where do we go?
This is again up to the leader; this is a wonderful area for cycling as we can
go all points of the compass. The Lambourn Downs, Cotswolds, Thames Valley,
Chilterns etc. There are many places of interest, buildings, churches, valleys
– and hills – and quiet country lanes! And we know a lot of them!
Stoking our engines for all this, we also know most of the good cafes and pubs
as well, were we can refuel. It is wise to check with the ride leader
beforehand if you are not sure the ride is suitable for you.
Do I have to join
the Club, and if so how? The answer is that you are welcome to ride with us a
few times to see if it is for you before you join, but then you will be
expected to become a member of the national CYCLISTS’ TOURING CLUB (CTC).
Otherwise there are no other subscriptions; most of our activities are
self-financing. CTC membership includes, besides a high quality
bi-monthly magazine, free third party insurance, legal assistance in the case
of mishap, which also covers registered rides leaders: in these litigious times
this is most important. You are also entitled to ride with any other CTC group
throughout the country.
So what do you
need? A bike or trike or even a tandem, providing it’s in good running order,
and adjusted to suit the rider, is normally all that is required. If in doubt
contact a club official, who will be pleased to help you. In our climate,
mudguards are advisable for most of the year and lights in the winter months
just in case, although we normally try to get back home or to the car before
lights are required. A spare inner tube or two saves time mending punctures
at the roadside, and of course some tools. A camera is useful if you are
into photography, or just like a record of where you have been.
OXON
MIDWEEK SECTION RIDES SEPT.2008 - JAN.2009.
All
cyclists welcome. Further details from
Contacts below, or
Vera
Friend on 01993 705660, 07773 569230 or Vera
Friend
Also
see Oxfordshire DA website www.oxonctc.org.uk
for updates
|
Start |
Destination/Foodstops |
Mlge |
Contact |
|
3 Sept, meet at E. and leave at 10.30 |
E. The Copper Kettle, Burford. L. Decided at elevenses |
40 |
|
|
10 Sept, meet at E. and leave at 10.45 |
E. The Cottage, Poffley End, Hailey,
GR 164/358 126 |
40 |
Jim 01993 772794 07708 014890 |
|
17 Sept, meet at E. and leave at 10.30 |
E. The Blenheim Guesthouse &
Tearooms, Woodstock. L. Decided at elevenses. |
40 |
|
|
24 Sept |
Call Graham for details. |
|
Graham 01608 810734 |
|
1 Oct, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
E. Bakers in L. Decided at elevenses. |
40 |
|
|
8 Oct, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
E. Charlbury. L. Stow-on-the-Wold. |
35 |
John 01993 881688 87808 231204 |
|
15 Oct, meet at E. and leave at 10.30 |
E. Cotswold Woollen
Weavers, Filkins. L. Decided at elevenses. |
35 |
|
|
22 Oct, meet at VH at 10.00 |
OXON
MIDWEEK SECTION AGM at Hailey
Village Hall, 2pm. Bring picnic lunch. Soup, cakes and hot drinks available. E. Post
Office Café, Chadlington, leaving there at 11.30. |
16 |
John 01993 881688 87808 231204 |
|
29 Oct, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
E. Community Café, Tackley Village Hall L.
Decided at elevenses. |
35 |
|
|
5 Nov, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
40 |
Peter 01235 525161 07956 079040 |
|
|
12 Nov, meet at E. to leave at 11.00 |
E. The Old Mill, Chipping Norton. L. Decided at elevenses |
35 |
|
|
19 Nov |
Call |
|
01993 834875 |
|
26 Nov, meet at E. to leave at 10.15 |
E. The Copper Kettle, Burford. L. Decided at elevenses |
40 |
|
|
3 Dec, meet at E. to leave at 10.00 |
E. Baxter’s Café, Great
Tew Cricket Pavillion. |
40 |
Jo 01608 811041 |
|
10 Dec, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
E. The Tea
House, Middle
Barton Shop. L. Decided at elevenses. |
35 |
|
|
17 Dec, meet at E. to leave at 11.00 |
OXON
MIDWEED SECTION CHRISTMAS LUNCH at The
Fox, Sutton, Stanton Harcourt
at 12.00 for 12.30. E. JB’s, Freeland. |
30 |
John 01993 881688 87808 231204 |
|
31 Dec, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
L. Decided at elevenses. |
35 |
|
|
7 Jan 2009, meet at E. to leave at 11.00 |
35 |
Jim 01993 772794 07708 014890 |
|
|
14 Jan, meet at E. to leave at 10.30 |
L. Decided at elevenses. |
35 |
|
E.
Elevenses
L. Lunch
T. Tea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIDWEEK MEMO #18
With global
warming alleged to be with us, some days in December have very cold and frost
and ice every where. When I started cycling, the catch phrase was the coming of
the next ice age! Place your bets now.
For those of you
who have dined or had the odd pint or two at the Oxfordshire Yeoman PH in
Freeland, may have heard that Lyn & Paul, retired from the pub trade in Feb
08. We wish them well for the future. Hopefully the incoming tenants keep up
the high standard these two set
5th Dec. A joint ride with the Veteran-Cycle Club
(that never was) starting from Waterperry. The weather forecast was awful, it
was raining and with high winds: not a good start. Never-the less, five hardy
souls turned up, although it was pouring with rain (what else could it pour?)
all from the OMS! Phil decided to curtail the route, and booked the lunch stop
at Common Leys Fm nearby. By the time to start, now nearly 10.45, all had
changed, with the sun now shinning. The above f.h.s. pedaled through
waterlogged roads, via Worminghall, Oakley, bypassing Studley, to Menmarsh, and
onto the farm. Although the main courses are a little pricy, the extensive
snack menu is excellent and not at all expensive. Following a leisurely,
satisfying lunch, we put a few more miles in, by going via Lt. Ickford and
Waterstock to the rear entrance to Waterperry. Up until now it had been dry
with a little sunshine - it then made up for it by an almighty squall - nearly
got soaked before getting waterproofs on! Although only about 15 miles, there
was a lot of interesting things to see, it was most enjoyable. Many thanks
Phil. Those out, Vera on an early Gillot, Phil a just postwar 3 speed hub
Allin, Mike on a recently acquired loop frame Raleigh, although talking about
fitting skirt guards, there is no need to get worried, and JB on a 1934 Raleigh
3 speed sports. No comment about Peter’s!
12th Dec. This look like being a good start to the impromptu ride from
Hilltop GC, Vera, Phil, Pete, Mike, and then joined by Gerry & Jo; however
this turned out to be a meeting of the newly formed OMSC (*Oxon Midweek Sick
Club!) The later two are both still having disability problems, apologies from
Jim who likewise is not well, and this group was joined later by Vera, who
didn’t feel too good, although rode all day.
It was a superb
morning brilliant sunshine, crisp (***** cold actually), and a little icy in
places. The route was via Leafield,
Chilson - a nice, rarely visited village - A 361 and left to Sarsden. Lunch was
calling so curtailed the original plan, and went via Lynham to the Red Horse PH
at Shipton. A very good and inexpensive lunch, this is one of our better
venues.
The return was
fairly direct, turning right of onto the Ascott road and retracing the outward
route through Leafield to the Garden Centre. Visibility was so clear, and some
how we always seemed to on high ground which gave us great views of the
20th Dec. The day of the OMS Christmas Lunch, Audrey
writes :-“ I didn’t realise I’d have to sing for my supper (metaphorically)
when I accepted JB’s invitation to the OMS Christmas Lunch. Still, it was worth
it. There were seven having nibbles (it’s not catching JB!) at Freeland and
then it was out into a gradually improving day, a few bright patches cheering
up the cloudy sky, and Phil’s outfit cheering up all of us.
Have you not seen
his multicolour, laid-back easy-rider machine with the Iron Cross wing mirrors?
You missed a treat. The easy-rider, complete with huge, ginger fright wig,
partnered the contraption perfectly, leaving the rest of us mere gawping
hangers-on.
The brief round
the block ride begun with an abrupt dismount by JB his Raleigh Sport’s chain
broke within running distance of home. His Hetchins was better behaved! At
about our further point south of lunch Peter H punctured but caught up by means
of a crafty shortcut. Finally I ran over Phil’s hair after a mighty gust of
wind in Eynsham. Regrouping at the door of the Oxfordshire Yeoman, we entered
to the car-borne diners already seated. Lunch was ready and sixteen thoroughly
enjoyed a really good meal – excellent value and much appreciated. Thank you
for having me.” Audrey.
2008 already,
plenty of time now to get the Christmas 08
pressy list sorted! The Chinese name the years for is the Year of the Rat,
hopefully, for us it won’t be the year of the Pear. Carry on reading if you want
to find out why.
Jan 2nd 08 Jim’s ride to Wigington. Grim weather. Now
Jim is still a member of the OMSC*, and couldn’t lead the ride from
On ride back,
weather now brilliant sunshine; message from V, who had buried mobile in
barbag, failed to get my frantic calls, so had dined at Yarnton GC with Phil.
Gather Mike gave up waiting at Woodstock, but hadn’t planned to further anyway,
Dave F not seen. Agree pear shaped? Hopefully rest of year will be a
different
9th Jan. With the growing numbers of the OMSC*, now
that Vera had joined the ranks with a busted collarbone, following a prang on
the ice, the year is not improving. Phil, driving on the way to park at my
place was hit by a car, thus preventing our chance to get to Filkins for the
coffee meet. Phoning Mike from Bampton, we found he was the only other out, and
seemed content to slum it with us, and dine inexpensively at Sainsburys in
Witney! Never-the-less, we all would have done about 35 miles, in windy but
otherwise very pleasant winter weather.
15th Jan. I’ve only go to be
away for a few days and it all falls apart! The meet was at Jo & Gerry’s, 7
turned up supped coffee, and then went home, I understand. Only Phil got a few
miles in before returning to his car. Why; you may well ask. The OMSC
membership is thriving.
21st Jan. Fortunately an impromptu ride, starting
from Aston. Only Phil and myself involved. Any plans were abandoned when we
found Great Brook was closed, the whole of the area was underwater. We were
joined by Ian (Shelia husband) who had driven over to do some bird watching.
Martin Roland an ex WO rider drove passed on his way to Chimney Reserve, he now
works for a conservation company. Hunger, time and poverty (relatively
speaking) forced us to find an inexpensive eatery, so a leisurely ride to
Northmoor seemed to fill the bill. I’m not telling about the days mileage, but
the floods and wildlife more than made up for that
28th Jan. Perhaps less said the better about today
the better. Quite a group met at Hilltop GS, Vera walked there, her shoulder
still on the mend, Jim just about got rid of his virus, Heather, a surprise
visitor, recovering from knee problems, A double surprise in the form of Joan
& Stan (motored) both getting the urge to get back to cycling. After coffee
and a natter, only Jim and Heather and I had bikes, and the three of us rode to
Leafield, and then home. OK, I only wrote this up to mention names!! (ps I was
the only healthy one there)
6th Feb. An impromptu starting from Chippy and wow
we had four healthy riders!! (Although Roz had now taken out temp. membership
of the OMSC!). A combined look at the map we agreed on a route. – Cornwell, (no
snowdrops), cross the A436 and onto
Addlestrop, and a look round the village and church – first for most of us– a charming little village, not mentioned
by Benjamin Britten in his poem about the railway. Onto Evenlode- and a quick
check of the map, and a builder working with his shirt off in February! At the
A44 left and right and a look at the Four Shire Stone – can you name the four
shires? Hunger called, and Peter suggested Todenham. So off we rode. while
Peter and Mike dined in the Farriers Arms PH, Phil and I picnicked outside.
Returning via the
delightful gated road through
13th Feb. Phil’s ride that wasn’t due to a pressing
engagement. A hurried rearrangement was made, and at Pete’s suggestion; meet at
the Village Store at Tackley. The morning extremely frosty and foggy, but Peter
& Mike heroically made it to this interesting refreshment establishment.
Consulting his pre-roman map, and deciding to keep to paved roads, cycled to
Heyford. Now the long established principal that closed roads do not apply to
us was shattered, when we found the contractors had nicked the road bridge over
the railway crossing, just a big hole. So lugging the bikes over the station’s
footbridge continued to Somerton, Souldern, Charlton, and through Kings Sutton.
The frost and fog had now dispersed, giving way a cold beautiful winters day,
and for me stiff legs, now having flogged up and down hills on my fixed wheel,
keeping up with these two fast men. A neat bit of navigation by Mike through
Banbury, soon found us enjoying an excellent lunch - in Morrisons Supermarket!
An all-day breakfast plus two slices of toast plus tea, all with change from a
fiver. Eat yer heart out Phil!
Returning via
Bloxham, and the Barfords, and Duns Tew, Middle Barton to Wooton, where we
split up. From a dubious start, it became a great day; we saw many basking deer
which, like us were enjoying the now warming sun. A good ride Pete & Mike.
20th Feb. An impromptu starting from Eynsham’s tea room, nice to have
one starting near home! Even the Sections fortunes are improving, five out
today, including our Vera for a test ride. The initial plan to dine at Bicester
GC was scupered when Pete said it gone upmarket plus expensive. Anyway we set
off towards Kidlington, using cyclepaths through the village and onto the track
by the church and to the Hampden Poyle road. After Bletchington (Is that a
round roof of an icehouse showing above the wall on the right?), and at
Kirklington, right along
27th Feb. The last ride for this quarter, led by Peter from Wantage,
lunch being at The Red Lion Drayton; which means there is likely to be a bit of
off-road. I was not wrong. Taking the cycle track towards Didcot, we stopped to
admire the bronze horse at Lockinge, and in my case to have a quick look at the
church and the spring flowers barely visible from the road. The brilliant
weather enhanced the wonderful views from the path to Didcot: although it
didn’t do much for the cooling towers we passed by on the devious route Pete
had arranged through the cyclepaths etc. of Didcot. The town must be
congratulated for providing such a network, a mini-MK! The lunch at the pub was
excellent, more so, as we were all classed as pensioners, even Mike became an
honorary one!
Following lunch,
the route took us via Abingdon, Cothill, and Fifield where we started to part
company. A different, but informative ride Peter, which I enjoyed.
Before closing
(much sighing) don’t forget our Mid-week Audax on Wednesday 16th July, I want both helpers and riders.
JB
CTC HQ address
CTC, 69 Meadrow,
Godalming, Surrey, GU7 3HS, tel. 0870 873 0060
Fax 0870 873 0064.
Email cycle@ctc.org.uk
Website www.ctc.org.uk
The OXFORDSHIRE
CYCLIST
The quarterly
local cycle magazine to which many local cycling clubs contribute including the
CTC OXFORDSHIRE
DISTRICT ASSOCIATION price £1, available in good local cycle shops, or
Contact The
Editor, c/o
Tel 01488 73508 E-mail oxfordshire.cyclist@btopenworld.com
AUDAX
This is a more
specialised form of cycle touring or non-racing riding events for experienced
cyclists. These organised rides take place through the country most of year.
AUDAX is separate
organisation, but you do not have to be a member to ride these events.
Contact details on
the information page.
AUK membership
enquiries Mrs Gerry Goldsmith, The Orchard, Swallow House Lane, Hayfield, High
Peaks, SK22 2HB, E-mail
gerry.goldsmith@audax.uk.net