Nov / December Bike Hash - Pangbourne
Hares
Location
Due to date of Christmas weekend there will be a joint Nov/Dec bash this year on Saturday 3rd Dec.
Train
Nearest train station is Pangbourne, which is on the London – Reading – Oxford line. Direct trains run twice an hour (train websites tend to give you only trains that require changing at Reading, because they are 10 mins faster, so we recommend you search for direct trains only). The pub is a third of a mile from the station: turn right when exiting the station, down the hill, turn right into main road; left at the Cooperative shop, under the rail bridge, across the toll bridge over the river Thames, and the pub is on your right. People will need to make their own way from the station to the pub (it won't be marked).
Car
The Ferryboat has a car park for a dozen or so cars. Further parking is available further up and along the road, i.e. further away from the river, opposite another pub called The Greyhound. There is also the car park near the "Adventure Dolphin" centre by the river (see map link), and at the railway station, 1/3 mile away, which cost 2.80 for the day.
Trail
The ride is 15-20 miles long, along Berkshire and Oxfordshire byways, bridleways, woodlands and a few stretches of tarmac. Two miles into the ride, the bridleway leads across a short but steep ditch, which some might prefer to walk rather than cycle. Towards the end of the ride, at a location that offers some very pleasant views, there is a 100 yard downhill footpath that riders will be asked to walk (and which will be marked accordingly).
Pub
Meet at The Ferryboat, High Street, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG8 7DB, Tel: 0118 9842161 http://www.theferryboat.eu
The pub is open all day and serves food until 3pm. The publican, Jesse, is happy to accept our orders prior to our departure. The Pub serves cold and warm food, including sandwiches, Pizzas and a lot more. A menu can be accessed on their website. There is an outdoor patio area behind the pub for us to sit, which includes a heated outbuilding next to it that Jesse will reserve for us.
Report by Face of 95
On Dec 04, 2011 at 02:57 PMGreat bash yesterday, nice route, especially with the sun out in the forest. Dirk a virgin hare did a great job with Steve. I did have some trouble spotting some of the sawdust at times though, but that added to the challenge. Length of the ride was spot on, some experienced hares could learn from that :D We got a stunning view from the high vantage point over the river towards the end of the ride. Photos below. Note that Posh was not pushing her bike in any of these photos. On on.