2013-08-31 Let's go wild swimming - Clifton Hampden

50 mile roll over the Chilterns to swim in the Thames. Quite bumpy in the middle, so gears might not be a bad idea if you’re no fan of hills, but the pace won't be fast and we'll regroup as necessary.

Depart Iver Station 9.30, Saturday 31 August (trains out from Paddington 8.27 – arr 8.49 or 8.57 – arr 9.19)

Route here – with a stop at Burnham Beeches for tea and cake.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3215156

According to Booga there is also a fete on at Wallingford (with beer tent), if you don't think you can make it as far as the river.

Clifton Hampden is a quiet spot on the Thames, with a pub and small shop.

https://sslcache.se/4bb969acfb570549c053e266c88cc5f878fc92be/687474703a2f2f6465736d6f6e642e696d616765736861636b2e75732f48696d6738392f7363616c65642e7068703f7365727665723d38392666696c656e616d653d63696d67323337386d2e6a7067267265733d6c616e64696e67

It’s a 5 mile ride back to Didcot with fast trains to Paddington (45mins) at 16.47,17.28, 17.47

Disclaimer
These will only be any fun if the weather is half way decent – no problem with sun and showers, but if it is torrential rain, then I may stay at home. Oh, and no obligation to swim.

Hope to make one of these for the first time!

In.

Can we go to the fete (and beer tent) AND go swimming?

Really nice ride and swimming spot - was there about a month ago. Highly recommend it!

Can we go to the fete (and beer tent) AND go swimming?

There is really good swimming in Wallingford. Lots of people swim from the little beach on the left of the bridge as you ride into town from the east.

It's on the kitchen calendar, but mrs conker isn't very please with me going on these day-long rides! May have to peel off early :-(

^ that's peel-off, as in go home, not disrobe

^ not a pretty sight^.. :)

1. KT Bee
   
2. Dumps
   
3. Thoma
   
4. ian "the peeler" (conker)
   
5. onyerbike
   

Gahh. Another one of these I'm missing.

Definitely in for this one. Unless it's raining, then I'm not.

1. KT Bee
   
2. Dumps
   
3. Thoma
   
4. ian "the peeler" (conker)
   
5. onyerbike
   
6. Hairnet
   

I went wild swimming at the weekend, it was amazing - I'm definitely up for more!

1. KT Bee
   
2. Dumps
   
3. Thoma
   
4. ian "the peeler" (conker)
   
5. onyerbike
   
6. Hairnet
   
7. hats
   

^
^^

Nice one!

The Wallingford 'fete' is Bunkfest, a free folk/world music and folk dancing festival. If the weather is fine it's a great day out!

I think we should probably swim first (or we may never make it), but those who want could definitely head back to Wallingford, and there are trains into Paddington from Cholsey, which looks to be marginally nearer to Wallingford than Didcot

Ooh Bernie, are you lurking? You should come - we do your route over the Chilterns.

Compared with Didcot, the trains from Cholsey are less frequent but it's much closer to Wallingford.

It would be good to meet up with you for the last third of the ride, perhaps on the tops near Christmas Common?

Good point - will do some research. Definitely yes to meeting up at Xmas Common - that's what we did with Booga last time. PM me your number and we can text you when we're passing through Marlow.

I might be in for this, I will be back just in time
I would probably want to join up after Marlow, as I live in Reading.
I know a much neater way to get to Wallingford from Turville, which also cuts out the horrible bit of the A4074 from Benson, and the B4009 from Watlington, using tiny little quiet lanes.

O'Shane and I are thinking of going for a swim at Tooting Bec Lido tomorrow.

Not exactly 'wild' but it is a nice pool :)

PM me if you fancy joining us.

1. KT Bee
   
2. Dumps
   
3. Thoma
   
4. ian "the peeler" (conker)
   
5. onyerbike
   
6. Hairnet
   
7. hats
   
8. blowfish
   

I know a much neater way to get to Wallingford from Turville, which also cuts out the horrible bit of the A4074 from Benson, and the B4009 from Watlington, using tiny little quiet lanes.

That would be fantastic - thank you. I really hate the bit just outside Watlington. Hope you can make it.

Forecast looking reasonable for the weekend, tiny spot of rain and then 18C cloud/sunshine until evening...

Yep - not looking too bad. Currently undertaking some route tweaking.