South Oxfordshire/Reading cycling

[Usget]

Moving to Woodcote in South Oxon (or North Reading, but let's say South Oxon as it sounds better) in the next few weeks.

Are any Pedal Powered folk based around that area? Any regular rides? Is Reading CC a decent club to join, or are there any other weekend rides which I should join instead?

I've ridden through parts of the area before, but any tips to get me started would be much appreciated since I'm going to be Billy no-mates for a while!

[Justin S]

My aunt ( she's not that old !) is a member of Henley road club, she lives Sonnning Common. She also rides with Reading CC. Lots of off road you as well, which I enjoy riding round there, as well as road.

[Jimbo.]

Quite often see the Henley CC boys around the Chilterns/Oxford. Worth checking out at least.

[MadDad]

Nice area to base yourself, I ride that area a lot - loads of nice climbs and country roads. I ride with a group from Windsor so they are probably just a little too far out for you, but Henley CC have a good reputation as an inclusive local club who cater for everyone from newbies to racers - not quite on par with Kingston Wheelers but not quite the same catchment! I would start with Henley, if you don't like them High Wycombe CC also have a good reputation and have a few tasty riders (including David Millar), not sure about Reading - I believe they are quite active but I don't know anyone who rides with them.

A friend of mine has just opened a cycle sales/repair shop in Pangbourne (Pankhurst Cycles - Horseshoe Road ind est), he is going to build a club around the business - it will be immature to begin with but he is VERY well known locally and I don't imagine it will be long before he will have lots of members.

Once you have settled in let me know if you fancy a spin, in the meantime if you want any routes let me know - I know the area East of where you are reasonably well.

[Usget]

Excellent stuff. I'll give Henley a try then (although Googling Henley CC just brings up the cricket club - I assume it's this mob? http://www.gshenley.com/ )

@MadDad I'll definitely pop into your mate's shop, especially as Pangbourne is so close. And I'm absolutely up for a spin!

[outnumbered]

Justin S said:

My aunt ( she's not that old !) is a member of Henley road club, she lives Sonnning Common. She also rides with Reading CC. Lots of off road you as well, which I enjoy riding round there, as well as road.

Denise !

[outnumbered]

Usget said:

Excellent stuff. I'll give Henley a try then (although Googling Henley CC just brings up the cricket club - I assume it's this mob? http://www.gshenley.com/ )

@MadDad I'll definitely pop into your mate's shop, especially as Pangbourne is so close. And I'm absolutely up for a spin!

I organise quite a few of the Reading CC club rides (ours are on Sunday, whereas GS Henley are on Saturday). We usually have three rides with varying speeds. Http://www.readingcyclingclub.com . You'd be very welcome to come out, send me a PM if you want to know more.

Pankhurst cycles is a good shout if you need a workshop or supplies.

[Herman Toothrot]

I ride round that area more MTB than road though, I joined Didcot Pheonix as more TTs etc closer to me, they are a very well organised club, just the otherside of the river.

http://www.didcotphoenix.co.uk

Also nice on the website that they post gpx files of every club run on the website so great to download and learn the area, as you can imagine Woodcote you are always going to be better riding to the West / North / South West unless you like riding urban sprawl.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Sunday 16th August 09:12

[Justin S]

outnumbered said:

Justin S said:

My aunt ( she's not that old !) is a member of Henley road club, she lives Sonnning Common. She also rides with Reading CC. Lots of off road you as well, which I enjoy riding round there, as well as road.

Denise !

Shhhhh, she always told me if we met out on the roads not to call her Auntie in front of her group LOL

[Jerry Can]

do you want road cycling of mountain biking?

If the latter, you are not far (10 min ride) to the Ridgeway which you can pick up in Streatley/Goring, which you can then cycle the entire length to Swindon!

There are plenty of good off road trails in the north Wessex downs with lots of varied routes. It's basically the area south of Didcot either side of the A34. I cycle these routes every weekend. There is an active mountain bike club based at the George and Dragon pub in Upton, and an annual MB festival called UPtonogood - do a google.
If you want to know any more then pm me.

hth

[Usget]

I'm up for either. Didn't realise the Ridgeway was so close. I'm not a million miles from Swinley either I guess.

Thanks to everyone for the responses - seems like there's a fair amount of two-wheeled action in the area, which is great to know.