Wessex League Final Cross Course
Steve Jones - Sat Jan 5, 2008 21:26:48 |
Wessex League Final Cross Course
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Directions to Ashenbury Park, Wessex League Final
Steve Jones - Wed Jan 2, 2008 21:25:43 |
From M4 Jcn10 take A329M towards Reading and leave at first exit for Winnersh and Woodley. Follow signs to Woodley Centre till you pick up the Ashenbury Park signs and our race signs. It is only 2 miles from the motorway.
If you have sat nav, post code is RG5 4RX
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|RG5%204RX#t=l&map=51.46228,-0.88387|17|32&loc=GB:51.46045:-0.88972:17|RG5%204RX|
At end of slip road, roundabout take 2nd exit,
Next roundabout take 2nd exit back under motorway
Next roundabout take 1st exit onto Bader Way
Next roundabout take 2nd exit onto Miles Way
Next roundabout take 2nd exit onto Spitfire Way
Next roundabout take 2nd exit onto Headley Road East
This leads onto Tippings Lane
At Junction with Denmark Avenue car Park is immediately on the right.
From the A4 Sonning roundabout
Take Pound Lane towards Woodley
Take 1st left into Duffield Road and continue to T-jct with Tippings Lane
Turn left into Tippings Lane and 1st left into Denmark Avenue, car park entrance will be immediately on the right. |
RATMBC & AW CYCLES Cross, Wessex League Final Round 20th January
Steve Jones - Wed Jan 2, 2008 21:11:50 |
Ratz and the AWCycles race team www.teamawcycles.co.uk have joined forces for the 2nd year to host the final round of the Wessex League. The date is 20th January and the venue is a new one to us and to the cross scene, Ashenbury Park in Woodley near Reading.
What we have left of the Ratz mountainbike course at Checkendon is fine for short course mtb races but is not really a cross course. Although it was my back up if I failed to find a new venue. After much searching in Reading for a traditional Park venue I drew a blank because all the suitable parks have multiple football pitches and a lack of parking. With Sunday morning footie Leagues it seemed we were an unwanted newcomer. So I moved the search to Wokingham District and came up with Ashenbury Park. It was a Landfill site many years ago and it has been landscaped so lots of rolling grass mounds split by sections of trees, bit like a golf course really but that is strictly not allowed although it must be tempting for them.
With some hard pack paths and also adjoining Aldermoors Nature Reserve with a network of paths to add some more woodland it was perfect. It is fairly quiet although popular with local dogwalkers and doggers it seems. When searching the internet for information and maps on Ashenbury Park I soon found people advertising for dogging sessions although I don't think they will be there on a Sunday morning in January! It is also popular with kite flyers because of the large central open grass hill which always seems to be breezy maybe because it is just above the lake.
Council agreement has taken many months but we got there in the end. It wasn't that they weren't keen, I think it actually fits well with their use of open places strategies. Its just it was new to them and a bit different from booking a sports pitch.
I think it has a bit of everything required of a cyclo-cross course, fast paths, open grass, woodland trails, some smal hills and a few banks that whilst fairly easy in the dry may force a dismount if wet especially if we force a sharp turn at the bottom. The start is a nice wide tarmac path leading into a gravel path which climbs up onto the central hill.
Have a look at the multimap link for location and zoom right in on the aerial shot to get an idea of the park layout. Bring the family along we will be serving hot drinks and cake. There is a nice Childrens play area beside the start and a lake over the back of the course where the children can feed the ducks.
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|RG5%204RX#t=l&map=51.46228,-0.88387|17|32&loc=GB:51.46045:-0.88972:17|RG5%204RX|
Under 12's 10am Free
Under 16's 10.30 ?6
All Seniors 11.30 ?10
All racers must wear a helmet and mountainbikes are welcome if you don't have a cross bike.
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Charity club ride, Sunday 22nd July
Ben Gladwyn - Mon Jul 9, 2007 16:13:51 |
Simon Brookes is organising a Ratz 16th Anniversary club ride, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Please turn up if you can, enjoy the ride and donate to the cause!
More details in the Events section. |
