Monthly Programme

Welcome to Isis Cyclists, an informal member group of Oxford Cycling UK. We publish details of our rides month by month, and you’ll find the current month’s rides below this introduction. The rides are posted here shortly after the publication of our email newsletter, which is normally published on the last Tuesday of the previous month. If you’d like to receive the email version of the newsletter as well, please write to the editor through the Contact Us page.

We aim to start each ride promptly, and so we encourage people to meet 15 minutes before the advertised start time in order to welcome new riders, catch up with familiar faces and sign the riders’ list. We don’t publish the ride leaders’ contact details on this site, but if you have any queries about a particular ride, please get in touch through the Contact Us page at least a couple of days beforehand.

If you’re new to cycling with a large number of other people, you may find our Tips for Cycling in a Group and Meet the Ride Leaders pages helpful.

Isis Cyclists and Oxford Cycling UK are part of Cycling UK.

“The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.” – Ann Strong, 1895

 

February 2020

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 1st: short & steady ride
• Saturday 8th: medium ride
• Sunday 9th: Oxford Cycling UK half-day ride
• Saturday 15th: long ride
• Sunday 23rd: morning mixed social ride

Ellen writes…

We do use our feet for other purposes – here, to climb Jarn Mound on Boars Hill.

What a fantastic start to Isis Cyclists’ 2020! Not only did all our three regular rides and one “pop-up” ride (to Boars Hill) go ahead unimpeded by the weather, we also saw record numbers of riders joining us. It was wonderful to see so many faces, familiar and new sharing the joy of cycling in the winter. If you haven’t managed to join us on a ride yet, why not do so in February?

January also saw the opening of booking for our 2020 weekend away at St Katharine’s, Parmoor. Sixteen cyclists have already booked places in the retreat house with more planning to camp nearby. Space is still  available in the house if you would like to take part. If you aren’t on our mailing list and are interested in taking part, please get in touch through the Contact Us page.

I would also like to give you advance notice of another “special” cycle ride: a car-assisted ride on Sunday 5th April, starting in Pangbourne in Berkshire and visiting The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys. The ride will be a fairly challenging 19 miles, with several climbs and several descents down narrow, twisty roads. However, by then spring should have well and truly sprung, and the countryside should look wonderful. Full details will appear in the March newsletter.

Happy cycling!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1st: SHORT & STEADY RIDE – SMOOTH TARMAC TO SANDFORD

Respectful cyclists always dismount at a lock.

Meet from 10.00am in Bonn Square at the end of Queen Street for a prompt 10.15am departure. We will ride down St Ebbe’s to the river Thames and pick up the South Oxford cycle route and continue south along the Thames Towpath, enjoying the most recently resurfaced section along the railway line. Then we will head towards Sandford Lock to cross the Thames and take refreshments at Sandford Village Hall cafe. There is also the weekly food market for a bit of shopping. You can order food by email to collect on the day if you wish.

From there we will return to Oxford via Littlemore, Rose Hill, Iffley village and Meadow Lane. This ride is 8 miles long and fairly flat. It will be taken at the pace of the slowest rider. The ride leader is Clare Farley.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8th: MEDIUM RIDE – A (HOPEFULLY) SUNNY RIDE TO “SUNNY HILL”

Meet in Radcliffe Square, at the back of the University Church from 10:00am for a 10:15am departure for coffee at the Sunny Hill vineyard in Horspath. We will start by taking the University Parks cycle track to Marston before riding through East Oxford, past the Cowley Centre and on to cross the ring road by subway on Long Lane, Littlemore. We will then take an interesting route, mainly on surfaced tracks and quiet roads through Greater Leys to emerge on Grenoble Rd and then onto the B480 for a short distance. We will then turn towards Garsington and start what is the only substantial climb of the ride; it can be taken at any pace and even walked. This will take us up through Garsington and onto the Wheatley Rd with potentially fine views over to the Chiltern Hills. We will then descend the long, straight hill to Horspath for coffee, cake and, who knows, maybe a taste or two of the products of the vineyard. Their own wine, sparkling cider and cider vinegar (all organic) are on sale, so it may be worth bringing an extra pannier. After coffee, it’s just a short two-mile hop to the ring road, where we will go our separate ways.

The route from the centre of town to the ring road (at the end of Horspath Road) is about 12 miles and back to the centre of town via Barracks Lane, a further 3 miles. If you live in East Oxford, we can pick people up on Rymers Lane, opposite Florence Park at approximately 10:35am. Please let the ride leader know (via the Contact Us page) if you will be at the pick-up point, so that we can wait if we arrive early. There will be some surfaced tracks on the route and one substantial hill as mentioned above. The ride leader is Ellen Lee.

SUNDAY 9th FEBRUARY: OXFORD CYCLING UK HALF DAY RIDE – OTMOOR LOOP TO WATERPERRY GARDENS

As usual, we are invited to join the Oxford Cycling UK half day ride which this month will be led by Steve Tuohy. Meet in Broad St, Oxford (outside Oxford Campus Stores) for a prompt 09:30 departure on a clockwise loop of Otmoor with coffee at Waterperry Gardens. The route will leave Oxford via Marston before riding through Woodeaton, Islip, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Fencott and Murcott. From there it will climb Pans Hill before heading for the coffee stop via Oakley & Worminghall. The return from coffee will take us through Wheatley, Littleworth and Horspath. The entire trip is 29 miles long and will include two hills before coffee and one after.

SATURDAY 15th FEBRUARY: LONG RIDE – SNOWDROPS IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE

We will meet at the Beirut restaurant (on the corner of Osler Road and London Road in Headington, OX3 9BJ) at 9:45am for a 10am start, heading out to Stanton St John and cycling through Forest Hill and the outskirts of Wheatley. As much as possible, we will follow country roads and quiet lanes through the rolling Oxfordshire countryside searching for snowdrops and other spring flowers that might be waiting for us. We will pass through the rural villages of Great Milton (of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons fame), Great and Little Haseley before stopping for a break at the community run Little Milton Village Shop where we can have coffee and cake or a bacon or sausage bap – perfect sustenance for a cycling brunch as we tend to arrive about 11.30am. Once refreshed, we will return via Cuddesdon where we will pass Ripon College (a centre of theological training and research), before descending to Horspath and back to Oxford. This ride is about 22 miles and has several hills or undulations, which will be taken at a gentle pace or can be walked. The ride leader is Lucy Wright.

SUNDAY 23rd FEBRUARY: SUNDAY MORNING MIXED SOCIAL RIDE TO THE MILK SHED

Meet from 10:15 for a 10:30 departure at the junction of Norham Gardens and Parks Road, by the entrance to University Parks, for this mixed social ride to the Milk Shed at Weston on the Green. We will head off through North Oxford and Summertown following route 51, cross the bridge to Cutteslowe Park then take the cycle path along the Banbury Road for a short stretch before turning off to follow the route across the fields to Water Eaton. From there we follow quiet lanes through Hampton Poyle and up the hill to Bletchingdon, then downhill to Weston on the Green, taking a late coffee or early lunch at the Milk Shed. Our return route takes us back through Bletchingdon via an alternative road, and across the fields to Kidlington church. From there we’ll head straight back to Oxford along the Oxford Road. The ride is 23 miles long, and there are a couple of hills (which can be walked). As this is a mixed social ride, male partners and friends are welcome to join us. The ride leader is Karen Wolff.

January 2020

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 4th: short and steady ride
• Saturday 11th: medium ride
• Sunday 12th: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
• Saturday 18th: long ride

Gathering for the ride to the Bothy Vineyard on 21st December

Ellen writes…

We had plenty of gentle and mild weather in December so that (unusually) all our rides went ahead on schedule. We even managed to avoid any encounters with flood water!

The new year is always a time for taking stock; thinking both about the year ending and the one to come. 2019 was another great year for Isis Cyclists, as you can read in our annual report for 2018-2019. We have continued to enjoy our usual mix of confidence-building explorations in and around Oxford and more challenging rides into the countryside beyond. Obvious highlights were another wonderful weekend away based in Charlbury, a 50 mile challenge ride that explored villages at the base of the Berkshire Downs and a car/van assist ride from Lechlade that visited Kelmscott Manor on the very last day it was open for two years. However, no ride is “ordinary.” Each one is a sociable exploration in which the familiar can sometimes be magically transformed into something new by the seasons, the weather, the company and any number of “happenings” along the way. Let’s hope for plenty more in 2020!

2020 weekend away: 17th-19th July

We are returning to the Chilterns, this time at St Katherines, Parmoor, which is a retreat house near the village of Frieth. There is a campsite nearby for those who want to enjoy the full outdoor experience. There will be a separate mailing with full details later this month. If you haven’t joined us for some or all of one of these weekends, why not go for it in 2020? I think that anyone you talk to who has taken part in one will thoroughly recommend it.

Happy cycling in 2020!

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in December: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2LgRyqDTJJcENtYK8

SATURDAY JANUARY 4th: SHORT & STEADY RIDE – A SHORT RIDE TO BREAKFAST

Meet at 10am for a prompt 10.15am start at the bottom of Walton Street (where it meets Worcester Street and Beaumont Street) and we’ll take advantage of the closed road and ride up through Walton Manor to Wolvercote, around to Wytham and then along to North Hinksey where we will take refreshments at The Fishes (see its breakfast menu).  Breakfast is served until 11.30am.  We will then return via Willow Walk and the tow path back to the city centre where the ride will finish in St. Ebbes Street (by St. Ebbes Church).   The ride is a fairly flat 9 miles and will be taken at the pace of the slowest rider. The ride leader is Natasha Williams.

The route is available at  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31650835

SATURDAY JANUARY 11th: MEDIUM RIDE – CIRCUMNAVIGATING OXFORD

Meet by the statue of the ox opposite the entrance to Oxford main rail station from 10:00 for a 10:15 departure. This ride takes us in a circle right round the city of Oxford using tow paths, cycle lanes and quiet roads. We will exit the station at the back and drop down to the canal where we’ll follow the towpath, as far as we can in a northwards direction. We’ll then go up onto quiet roads when the tarmac runs out and on towards Wolvercote. From there we wiggle our way through Summertown, then join the Marston Ferry cycle path before heading up Harberton Mead, then along Hilltop Road and back down the hill to Barracks Lane cycle path, then Florence Park. We’ll then cut through to ‘Sylvie’s’ on the Iffley Road where we’ll take refreshments. After coffee it will be straight back to the city centre along the Thames towpath. The ride is 12 miles long and will be led by Karen Wolff.

SUNDAY JANUARY 12th – OXFORD CITY CYCLING UK SHORT RIDE TO YARNTON NURSERIES

Meet outside Oxford Campus Stores on Broad St for a prompt 9:30am start on a leisurely ride to Yarnton Nurseries organised by the Oxford Cycling UK group and led by Stephen Lee.

The route will wind its way north on minor roads and paths and cross the ring road using the Cutteslowe bridge. It will then take the Water Eaton track to Kidlington and will cross the railway and canal to pick up Begbroke Lane. This will bring us out on the A44 cycle track, a little way to the north of the Yarnton Nurseries. After coffee we will return to Oxford directly using the A44 cycle track and, if it is dry enough, the canal towpath to Wolvercote. The pace will average about 10mph and the ride is flat (apart from a couple of bridges near Water Eaton) and approximately 15 miles in length. Please note that this is a mixed ride and so male friends and partners are welcome.

SATURDAY JANUARY 18th: LONG RIDE – CIRCLING OTMOOR

Meet by the Vaults café entrance at the University Church in Radcliffe Square at 10.45am to set off at 11am. We will head out through Marston and over the ring road to Elsfield, from here circling  Otmoor via villages including Horton cum Studley, Murcott and Charlton on Otmoor. In recent months, the fields have been flooded and the River Ray has burst its banks in low lying areas of Islip, where we will stop at the Red Lion pub (now part of the Jacobs Inn group) for bar snacks or lunch about three quarters of the way round. Bring a flask or drink and a snack to keep you going.

You can take a look at the pub menu at https://www.redlionislip.com

We will be cycling on roads throughout, and hopefully the later start means it will be free of ice. However, I will adjust or shorten the route if we have unfavourable weather The 22 mile ride is gently undulating with a couple of hills which we won’t rush.

The ride will be led by Lucy Tennyson. You are welcome to wait for the group just over the ring road by the Woodeaton turn at around 11.15am.

December 2019

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 7th: short and steady ride
• Saturday 14th: medium ride
• Saturday 21st: social long ride

Ellen writes (or rather, asks)…

Our high-vis jackets compete with the autumn colours on November’s long ride

Welcome to the December newsletter. This month, instead of mentioning the weather(!) I’m going to make a plea for help with designing a new logo for Isis Cyclists. Those of you who have been riding with us a long time may remember our previous logo, featuring a woman riding a bike in a dress and high heels(!) with a cape billowing out around her. It comes from a 1920s poster which you can see on the Poster Corner website. We can’t reproduce the poster here as we’re not sure of the copyright situation – which is one of the reasons why we can no longer use a cropped section of it as a logo. Also, is uses several colours and is quite “fussy”, not ideal for reproduction.

We like to refer to it as “the flying woman”! We think it does a great job of saying what the group is about. To me it suggests things like:

• We really enjoy our cycling.
• We aren’t “sporty.”
• You don’t need to be a cyclist already to join in.
• You don’t need expensive equipment or specialist cycle clothing.
• Cycling makes us feel good.
• Cycling gives us freedom.

Isis Cyclists have so many diverse talents that there must be one of you with a knowledge of/interest in/experience of graphic design who has a bit of spare time to create a new logo for us. As we like so many of the messages that the “flying woman” makes us think of, what we probably need is a more stylised, simplified and perhaps more modern version of her. We imagine that a monochrome image will be simplest and it should fit in with the style and colours used on our website. Oh yes, the flying thing is not actually compulsory!

If you think you’re the person for the job, please could you get in touch with me (if you don’t know my email address, use the Contact Us page on this website). We would like to have our new logo ready by the spring.

Happy cycling!

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in November: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VuVc1bgUE4nX1x8JA

SATURDAY 7^TH DECEMBER: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: FEELING CHRISTMASSY YET?

This short and steady ride will help you get into the mood for Christmas by visiting a couple of Christmas related exhibitions in Summertown. Meet outside the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad St, Oxford (opposite Blackwells Bookshop) from 12:15pm for a prompt 12:30pm start. We will take Sustrans Route 51 on minor roads and tracks to Summertown where we will visit the Winter Light Exhibition at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery and the Turrill Sculpture Garden Christmas Exhibition. We will then head south towards Jericho where we will stop for tea and cakes at the Branca Food Café. If the section of the Oxford Canal that is currently being resurfaced is finished, we will give it a try. The ride will be around 6 miles in length and is flat. The leader is Lilia Bonacorsi.

SATURDAY 14^TH DECEMBER: MEDIUM RIDE: WORTON ORGANIC GARDENS VIA KIDLINGTON

Meet by Costa Coffee in Summertown from 9.45am for a prompt 10am departure for a ride to Worton via the back lanes of Kidlington. We’ll ride via Cutteslowe, Water Eaton and a maze of Kidlington lanes, ways and avenues, including Begbroke Lane (if not too muddy!), over the A44 to Rutten Lane and through Yarnton to the Worton Organic Gardens for some of their gorgeous cake/puddings and maybe a little organic shopping. Back via Cassington and the A40 cycle path to Summertown. Distance is around 15 miles. No hills are involved in the making of this ride! Leader is Liz Weekes.

SATURDAY 21^ST DECEMBER: MIXED SOCIAL LONG RIDE: THE BOTHY VINEYARD

This long ride goes south-west to the award-winning Bothy Vineyard, which is open for Christmas sales from 11am to 6pm. Meet in Radcliffe Square behind the University Church at 10:00 for a prompt 10:15 departure. The outward route takes us through South Oxford, Kennington and either Sunningwell or Boars Hill, and we return via Cothill, Wootton and Cumnor. Because the vineyard doesn’t sell coffee, we will probably have an early stop at either the Flowing Well pub in Sunningwell or the Fox Inn on Boars Hill. Make sure you have room in your panniers for a bottle or two (or three!), but it’s fine simply to browse.

The total ride is about 21 miles, and will be generally flat if we go through Sunningwell, or with one short and steep hill if we go via Boars Hill. The leader is Liz Matthews. Because it’s so close to Christmas, this is a mixed social ride, and partners and friends are warmly invited to join us. And feel free to deck out your bike (and/or yourself) in festive garb.

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR INBOX FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A POP-UP POST CHRISTMAS AND PRE-NEW YEAR RIDE!

November 2019

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 2nd: short & steady ride
• Saturday 9th: medium ride
• Sunday 10th: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
• Saturday 16th: long ride
• Sunday 24th: afternoon social ride
• Sunday 8th December: Wantage Cycling UK’s annual mince pie ride

Ellen writes…

Overcast, but at least it’s not raining!

Welcome to the Isis Cyclists November 2019 Newsletter. It feels as though the rain never stopped in October. However this can’t be true because, somewhat miraculously, all the October Isis rides were dry and at least two of them enjoyed wonderful autumn sun.  Hopefully with the change in the month, there will be a change in the weather and that all our rides will enjoy a similarly charmed life. As the temperature will be dropping, don’t forget to pop an extra layer (or two!) into your pannier. It’s better to carry more than you end up needing rather than feeling cold and not enjoying the ride.

A couple of reminders:

• To contact the ride leader before the ride (e.g. to ask a question or arrange a pick-up point), please use the Contact us page, clearly indicating who the email should be forwarded to. We will do our best to ensure that it gets to the right person.
• It’s now winter, so check out our tips for winter cycling and make sure that your lights are legal. James Dawton of Oxford City Cycling UK has published a user-friendly guide to cycle lights, and Cycling UK has recently updated its guide to cycle lighting regulations.

Happy cycling!

SATURDAY 2nd NOVEMBER: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: TOWPATHS, BRIDGES & PARKS

Meet by the statue of the ox opposite the entrance to the Oxford Railway station from 9:45am for a 10:00am departure for this short ride that takes us along some of Oxford’s loveliest cycle paths despite staying close to the city centre.

We will head north along the canal before cutting across Port Meadow and turning south along Fiddlers Island. We’ll continue along the Thames to Donnington Bridge, where we head off to South Oxford, down Marlborough Road and back to the Thames. We’ll either have coffee at the roasters in Osney Mead, or The Fishes on North Hinksey Lane, depending on the weather and the number of cyclists. The ride is flat and 8 miles long and will be led by Karen Wolff.

SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER: MEDIUM RIDE: AN AUTUMN RIDE THROUGH ELSFIELD & BECKLEY

Meet at 09.45am for a prompt 10am departure at The South Lodge, University Parks (OX1 3JA, corner of Parks Rd and St Cross Rd) for this medium ride out into the countryside to Beckley and Elsfield. Our ride will begin by cycling through University Parks and the cycle paths and side streets of Marston. After crossing the ring road, we will venture out in a north-easterly direction riding mostly on quiet country roads, and hopefully have some beautiful autumn colours in the hedgerows and trees. We will make our way to Elsfield and may even see the resident peacocks. We will meander our way to Beckley and admire the expansive views and big skies over Otmoor and the countryside beyond from several vantage points. We will return through Barton to Risinghurst where we will stop for coffee and a Portuguese egg tart (Pasteis de Nata) and/or some other scrumptious cakes at the local Portuguese café, AKA Madeira Supermarket in Risinghurst.

This ride is about 12 miles and is hilly. All 3 hills can be taken at your own speed (at a gentle pace or walked) with regular regroupings, and of course where there is an up, there is usually a down! The ride leader is Lucy Wright.

SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER: OXFORD CITY CYCLING HALF-DAY RIDE: A LONG LOOP TO SOUTH HINKSEY

Meet for a prompt 09:30am start in Broad Street, Oxford (by Oxford Campus Stores). We will be having a second attempt at last month’s ride that was affected by torrential rain!

The route will take us down Botley Rd and up Cumnor Hill. We will then continue through Cumnor village, Appleton and Fyfield where we will cross under the A420 to emerge in Tubney. From there we will ride through Cothill and Wootton before climbing up through Old Boars Hill. A descent of Hinksey Hill will bring us out at the A34 roundabout and we will ride a little way along the ring road cycle track before re-crossing the ring road and stopping for our refreshment break at The Oxford Garden Centre.

We will return to the Station via North Hinksey and Willow Walk. The route is approximately 24 miles in length and includes climbs of Cumnor and Boars Hills. The ride leader is Stephen Lee. This is a mixed ride, so male partners and friends welcome.

SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER: LONG RIDE: THE FARMHOUSE BAKERY & CAFÉ, STEVENTON

Meet outside the back of the University Church in Radcliffe Square for a prompt 10:00 departure to Steventon via the South Oxford cycle route, Kennington, Abingdon and Drayton. If you are starting out from south or east Oxford, you can join the ride at Go Outdoors. Please be in position by 10:10 to make sure you don’t miss us.

The Farmhouse Bakery & Café is on the northern edge of Steventon village in a new, rustic-style building: see https://farmhousebakerycafe.co.uk/. As well as taking refreshments you might like to browse – and purchase – their breads, savoury goodies and cheeses.

This will primarily be an out-and-back route, with a couple of variations. It includes a couple of short and slightly squelchy stretches near Abingdon and on the Hanson Trail, but you are welcome to get off and wheel your bike through them. Overall, though, the route is not suitable for bikes with thin tyres.

The total length of the ride is 25 miles, but it’s mostly flat; the only really noticeable incline is just after Sunningwell on the way back. Some urban cycling will be involved in Abingdon town centre, and we will also follow the B4016 and B4017 for a few miles. See https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31448137

The ride will be led by Liz Matthews. Please could you let me know (via the Contact Us page if you don’t know my personal email address) if you are expecting to come, as it may be prudent to alert the bakery if we’re a large number. Thanks!

SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER: SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDE TO THE MILL VIEW CAFÉ, WHEATLEY

Meet from 12:45 for a prompt 13:00 departure at The South Lodge, University Parks (OX1 3JA), corner of Parks Rd and St Cross Rd) for this, our final Sunday social ride of the year. We will start by riding along the Parks cycle track and down the Marston Rd to pick up the Cowley Rd and Barracks Lane which will take us out onto the Ring Rd. If you prefer, you can meet us at the end of Horspath Rd (where the buses turn). I would hope to be there around 13.15, but let me know if you will meet us there, so I don’t go without you.

After a couple of miles on the B480, we will turn right to climb up through Toot and Marsh Baldon. A short section of A4074 will bring us to the Golden Balls Roundabout where we will turn left along the B4015 to Chiselhampton. We will then ride another short section of B480 before turning off through Chippinghurst, Denton and Cuddesdon and to tea at the Mill View Garden Centre. We will aim to leave by 3.45pm at the latest, so that we can complete the 3 miles to the Oxford ring road before the sun sets. However, you will need lights to make your way home from there. The ride is 19.5 miles long and includes three hill climbs which will be taken steadily. As this is a social ride, male partners and friends are very welcome to join us. The ride leader is Ellen Lee.

SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER: CYCLING UK WANTAGE’S ANNUAL MINCE PIE RIDE

Cycling UK Wantage invites you to join their annual festive ride from Wantage to Uffington White Horse Hill, which again is in aid of Whizz Kidz, the children’s mobility charity.

Guests and other cycling clubs are very welcome to join Wantage CUK at Wantage Market Place by 9.45am for the start of the ride, or at White Horse Hill NT car park (grid ref SU 293866) from 11.15 to 12.00 for mince pies and mulled wine. All proceeds on the day will go to Whizz Kidz. For more details, visit www.cyclingukwantage.org.uk

October 2019

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 5th: short & steady ride
• Saturday 12th: medium ride
• Sunday 13th: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
• Saturday 19th: long ride
• Sunday 27th: afternoon social ride

Ellen writes…

Animated conversation on the Didcot to Upton cycle track, an old railway line.

So, summer has well and truly gone, but never fear, there’s something wonderful to experience on the bike in every season. Let’s hope for some sunshine and spectacular autumn colours as we roll along on this month’s rides.

Our first car/van-assisted ride at the very end of August worked out well. A good group assembled in Lechlade and headed off in the direction of Kelmscott House. Several of us took the chance to have a look round on what was the last day it was open to visitors for two years. I think everyone enjoyed the opportunity to cycle in less familiar surroundings and my Brompton certainly had great fun trying to keep up with the “big bikes”. We have one or two ideas for future such expeditions and hope to have our next one in the New Year.

Ellen knows just the thing to fill that hunger gap between coffee and lunch.

Summer lasted just about long enough for our first few rides in September and in particular for the 50-mile challenge ride. A record-breaking 24 riders took part on a pleasant but not (thankfully) super-hot day. As leader, I was very relieved that it was dry because I’d included over 10 miles of off-road riding in the route, which headed down to Didcot to pick up Sustrans route 544 to Wantage and includes a lovely section of old railway path and several lovely spring-line villages, including Ardington where we had lunch. The afternoon took us into the Vale of White Horse and flat roads on our way back to Oxford. Despite the 1000+ miles cycled by the group, we didn’t have a single puncture!

No wonder everyone is cheering: from here it’s downhill all the way to the end of the ride!

We have already booked a venue for our 2020 weekend away. Full details and booking instructions will appear in the January newsletter. However, in case you want to put the date in your diary to avoid disappointment, it will be from 17th–19th July. We are going to the Chilterns again, this time at St Katherines, Parmoor which is a retreat house near the village of Frieth. There is a campsite nearby for those who want to enjoy the full outdoor experience.

Happy cycling!

Check our photo site for all the latest pictures taken on our rides in September:

• 50-mile challenge: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dNTLiqkjH32GSLAj8 
• Other rides: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TzrrCAF8BCjE7qug7

SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER: SHORT & STEADY RIDE – AUTUMN IN OXFORD

The October short and steady ride is a slow and scenic route around  north and west Oxford, and will take in autumnal delights such as the horse chestnut trees and apple orchards of Wolvercote.

Meet outside Costa Coffee, Banbury Road, Summertown from 10:15 am for a 10:30 am start. The route will take National Cycle Network routes, other cycle paths and quiet roads to Wolvercote, Wytham and then Botley. In Botley we will ride into N. Hinksey village to pick up Willow Walk to reach the West Oxford Community Centre for refreshments. We will then continue across Port Meadow, through Jericho and back to the Banbury Rd meeting point. The entire ride is approximately 9 miles long and mainly flat with a few slight upward drags and the ride leader is Sarah Twine.

SATURDAY 12th OCTOBER: MEDIUM RIDE – EASTERN MILL AND HILL

Meet from 10.00am for a 10.15am departure at the junction of Headington Road and Osler Road – just up from the Shell petrol station. The ride will leave Oxford via Old Headington before crossing the ring road and heading to Stanton St John, Worminghall, Holton and Ladder Hill in Wheatley before stopping for refreshments at Mill View Nursery and Cafe.

We will return via Wheatley Windmill, approaching East Oxford via Horspath and Barracks Lane. The ride is approximately 17 miles long and does include climbs which can be taken at your own pace, or even walked. The ride leader is Clare Farley.

SUNDAY 13th OCTOBER: OXFORD CITY CYCLING HALF-DAY RIDE – A LONG LOOP TO SOUTH HINKSEY

Meet for a prompt 10am start by the statue of the Ox outside Oxford Railway Station. Please note the later than usual start time to allow those affected by half-marathon related road closures to find their way to the start.

The route will take us down Botley Road and up Cumnor Hill. We will then continue through Cumnor village, Appleton and Fyfield where we will cross under the A420 to emerge in Tubney. From there we will ride through Cothill and Wootton before climbing up through Old Boars Hill. A descent of Hinksey Hill will bring us out at the A34 roundabout and we will ride a little way along the ring road cycle track before re-crossing the ring road and stopping for our refreshment break at The Oxford Garden Centre.

We will return to the Station via North Hinksey and Willow Walk. The route is approximately 20 miles in length and includes climbs of Cumnor and Boars Hills. The ride leader is Stephen Lee. Please note that this is a mixed ride, so male partners and friends welcome.

 SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER: LONG RIDE – IN THE DOGHOUSE!

Meet by the statue of the ox opposite the entrance to Oxford train station from 9:45 for a 10:00 departure. We will head off through the parks and back streets of Botley before climbing Cumnor Hill. After the hill (which can be taken at your own pace) the rest of the ride is level or downhill. We’ll ride on country lanes through the pretty villages of Cumnor, Eaton, Appleton and Fyfield before stopping for refreshments at the Dog House Hotel at Frilford. We then turn towards Cothill, then Sunningwell before returning to Oxford via the Thames path. The route is 24 miles in length and will be led by Karen Wolff.

SUNDAY 27th OCTOBER: SUNDAY SOCIAL TEA RIDE – IN SEARCH OF THE BEST PORTUGUESE “NATAS”

Remember, this is the day the clocks change and so you should bring lights with you.

We are leaving from Costa Café in Summertown at 1:15pm prompt. The ride will take us through Woodeaton, Islip, Oddington, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Murcott, Horton-cum-Studley and Stanton St. John. We will get back into Oxford through Barton,  Headington, Headington Quarry and Wood Farm where we will try a new café where they have promised to have plenty of ‘natas’.  We will get back to the starting point through beautiful Old Headington.

This is a 27-mile ride with a couple of hills, but these can be taken at your own pace. It is also a social ride, so male partners and friends are welcome to join us. The leader is Leonor Barroca.

September 2019

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Wed 4th September: Stop & Stare ride
• Sat 7th September: 50-mile challenge
• Sat 14th September: short and steady ride
• Sun 15th September: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
• Thurs 19th September: evening ride
• Sun 22nd September: long ride
• Sun 29th September:  afternoon social ride

Ellen writes…

Out and about on the 40-mile ride on 17th August

Well here we are on the brink of autumn. Most of our August rides had lovely weather except for the medium ride to Bletchingdon where the brave few were battered by wind and rain, but still made it to the café! The social tea ride suffered the opposite extreme with temperatures rising to more than 30 degrees. I hope that you will be able to take advantage of some of our September rides, especially as we will be enjoying our final stop & stare and evening social rides of the year.

Our experiment with organising a van/car assist ride on 31st August was very successful. Eleven riders enjoyed the Cotswold scenery on our ride from Lechlade. Some of us also enjoyed visiting Kelmscott Manor with its Arts & Crafts connections. Some of us also enjoyed a look around Fairford Church which has some wonderful mediaeval stained glass showing you in graphic detail what to expect if you end up in hell! We are hoping that we might have a couple of such rides a year. They really let us explore more distant countryside that otherwise we just wouldn’t get to see. We have some more ideas, so watch this space.

The Isis Cyclists leaders got together in July to plan rides until the end of November. However, we are always pleased to receive suggestions from you about places to visit and new refreshments stops to try out. So, please do let us know if you have any bright ideas. You can always use the Contact us page; messages do get through to me.

Happy cycling!

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in August: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bNomJNL7dwrh6w798

WEDNESDAY 4th SEPTEMBER: STOP & STARE TO RECTORY FARM PYO

The September Stop and Stare is a stop and pick ride to Rectory Farm three miles east of Headington. Meet at 11am outside Jacobs and Field near Waitrose in Headington. We’ll go in search of autumn strawberries and any vegetables in season, so bring your containers, and a pannier or two! There’s also  a farm shop and cafe. This six-mile ride will involve a bit of a pull up to Stanton St John. However, don’t let this put you off as we will go at a slow pace suitable for all and walking is absolutely fine. The ride leader is Lucy Tennyson.

SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER: ISIS CYCLISTS’ 50-MILE CHALLENGE 2019

Starting out

Meet from 9am for a prompt 9.15am departure in Radcliffe Square, outside the Vaults Café. This year’s route will take us through Abingdon and Didcot to explore some of the spring-line villages of the Berkshire Downs. We will leave Oxford in the direction of Kennington. If you live in South Oxford, you may instead prefer to meet us (at 9.30-9.35am) on the Abingdon Rd, near where it meets Bertie Place and outside the Travelodge. If you want to meet us here, please email me to let me know, otherwise me might go without you.

Route

We will begin by riding to Abingdon on road via Kennington, Bagley Wood, Sunningwell and Shippon. Our first stop of the day, after 9 miles, will be for coffee at one of the cafés in the Market Square. We will then pick up Sustrans route 5 to Sutton Courtenay and Didcot, riding around the perimeter of the power station (interesting, but perhaps not scenic!). We’ll then ride through Didcot, passing the train station and the joining Sustrans route 544. This will take us to the village of Upton on a disused railway track which is also a local wildlife site. We will stop on this section for a snack, so please don’t forget to bring something to eat and (very importantly) drink. After Upton we have a climb to the top of Harwell Hill where we should get panoramic views back towards Wittenham Clumps.

That is the highest point of the ride, so we then descend to ride through the Harwell Campus before going across country and through the lovely villages of Ginge and then East Lockinge before arriving at our lunch stop, the Grocer Chef Café in Ardington, at which point we will have covered just over half the ride (26 miles).

We will start the afternoon with the traditional after-lunch climb, luckily only a small one, up to the A417 which we will cross and descend into the Vale of White Horse, passing Lain’s Barn as we go. We will then ride through East and West Hanney, Lyford and Garford before arriving at our afternoon stop at Millets Farm. We will have ridden 38 miles at this point, so will be ready for an ice cream or hot chocolate (depending on the weather!). The final 13 miles back to Radcliffe Square will be through Tubney, Fyfield, Appleton and Cumnor, and we will enter Oxford by riding triumphantly down Cumnor Hill and the Botley Road.

Hills and road surfaces

Should you be lucky enough to have a choice of bikes, you may be wondering which one to choose to be your companion for the day. Here’s some information that might help you decide.

The hills on the ride are not particularly steep. The first is from Kennington (Upper Rd) to Bagley Wood. The ride is then pretty flat till we climb out of Upton and over Harwell Hill. This is a long but steady climb (with some nice views to distract us!). The hill immediately after lunch, up to the A417 is short and steady and the final upward gradient is the long slight drag up through Appleton and Cumnor to the top of Cumnor Hill.

This 50 mile ride is unusual in including quite a lot of off-road paths and tracks in the route. Almost all the off-road is in the 17 mile section from Abingdon to lunch at Ardington. My estimate is that about 2/3 (i.e. 10 miles) is off road. However all but 2 miles of that is paths with hard surfaces, either tarmac or the usual Sustrans hard surface with compressed gravel. There are 2 miles divided into three sections (the longest of which is 0.8 mile) consisting of tracks with a hard base but loose surface. Finally in the afternoon we will unfortunately need to ride several miles of main road in three or four sections. Most of the main road riding will be on the A338 which isn’t generally too busy and has relatively little commercial traffic (at least on a Saturday afternoon). There will also be short sections of A415 to get to and from Millets Farm. I’ve chosen the route so that we won’t need to make any right hand turns off main roads.

Lunch

Lunch will be at the Grocer Chef Café in Ardington. They have asked us to pre-order so that they can have our food prepared and so we won’t need to wait too long. If you are coming, please could you check out the menu on their website: www.thegrocerchef.com. Choose either from the lunch menu or the specials which are apparently updated regularly. Please email me by the evening of Thursday 5^th September at the latest.

SATURDAY 14^TH SEPTEMBER: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: OXFORD OPEN DOORS

Meet from 10:15am for a prompt 10.30am start from Radcliffe Square, Oxford (at the back of the Vaults Cafe). This short and flat ride will visit 2 or 3 Open Doors venues in the city. It will be no longer than 7 miles and we will aim to take refreshments either at the last venue or shortly afterwards. The rider leader will be Natasha Williams. If you have any particular requests for locations to visit, then please email Natasha and she will try and incorporate your suggestions.

SUNDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER: OXFORD CYCLING UK SHORT RIDE TO THE CRAZY BEAR FARM SHOP, STADHAMPTON

Meet for a prompt 9:30am start outside Oxford Campus Stores in Broad St, Oxford. This moderately paced ride (average speed 10.5mph) will leave Oxford via the Barracks Lane cycle track and Horspath. There will then be a climb up to Cuddesdon before riding through the pleasant villages of Great and Little Milton. After a gentle coast downwards we will arrive in Stadhampton for refreshments at the Crazy Bear Farm shop. The return will be along the B480 before taking the minor road through Chippinghurst to Garsington. The entire route is 22 miles long and includes one hill and a few undulations either side of coffee. The leader is Steven Tuohy. Isis Cyclists are very welcome to join in and bring male partners and friends.

THURSDAY 19^TH SEPTEMBER: EVENING SOCIAL RIDE TO THE UP IN ARMS PH IN MARSTON

Meet outside the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad St, Oxford from 5.45pm for a prompt 6pm departure. We will head south to the river then New Hinksey and Kennington, through Bagley Wood. We will then follow the beautiful Sugworth Lane down back to the river up to Iffley Lock and Iffley, getting back to town through Meadow Lane. We will finish in Marston for drinks/food in the newly opened Up in Arms in Marston Road. This is a 12 mile ride and the leader is Leonor Barocca. As usual for our social rides, male friends and partners are welcome to join us.

SUNDAY 22^ND SEPTEMBER: LONG RIDE: TEA AT JANE’S ENCHANTED TEA GARDENS 

http://janes-cream-teas.moonfruit.com/

Meet in Broad street in front of the Tourist Information Office at 13:15 for an 13:30 start. The ride will leave Oxford using Sustrans routes 5/51. There will be a pick up from Cutteslowe pedestrian bridge over the ring road, next to the Wren Road school  at 2 pm (please let the leader know if you are meeting us there). We will continue through Kidlington, Hampton Poyle and Bletchingdon and onto Kirtlington then onto the track down to Jane’s Enchanted Tea Gardens near Pigeon Lock.

The return journey is via Tackley and Woodstock, returning to Oxford down the A44 cycle track. This route includes several sections of off-road tracks. Most have a good surface (in the dry) but there is one section just before Tackley Station that is probably not suitable for bikes with very narrow road tyres. This route (which is approx. 26 miles long) does include a couple of hills in either direction which can be taken at your own pace or walked. The ride leader is Lilia Bonacorsi.

SUNDAY 29^TH SEPTEMBER: SOCIAL TEA RIDE: LAST CHANCE SALOON AT DORCHESTER!

Meet on Route 57 just inside the ring road at the end of the Horspath Road (where the buses turn round) at 1.15pm for a prompt 1.30pm start.  We will join the B480 and ride directly to Dorchester via Drayton St. Leonard so that we should arrive in plenty of time to be able to indulge ourselves on what is the final opening of the Dorchester Abbey Tearooms this year! The return route will take us across the fields on a bridle track, to cross the River Thames on the footbridge to Little Wittenham at Day’s Lock. This track should be fine for all but bikes with very narrow road tyres, but even then it’s not that long and can be walked. From Little Wittenham we will ride to Oxford via Sutton Courtenay and Abingdon. The return route will be approximately 30 miles long and involves a single hill on the B480 before coffee and a slight pull up out of Little Wittenham afterwards. The ride leader is Natasha Williams. As this is a social ride, male partners and friends are very welcome to join us.

August 2019

In this issue:

• • Ellen writes…
  • Sat 3rd August: short ride
  • Sat 10th August: medium ride
  • Sun 11th August: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
  • Mon 12th August: evening ride
  • Sat 17th August: long ride
  • Sun 25th August: afternoon social ride
  • Tues 27th August: Stop & Stare ride
  • Sat 31st August: car/van-assisted ride

Ellen writes…

The new swift tower in University Parks, visited on July’s Stop & Stare ride

Welcome to the August 2019 edition of the Isis Cyclists newsletter. We’ve got a feast of rides, including an extra van/car assisted one on 31st August starting at Lechlade. However much we love riding in our local patch, it is nice to venture further afield occasionally and this gives us the opportunity. If it proves popular we will try and include a few in our schedule every year. Apart from that, we’ve got the regular summer programme of rides. I’m sorry that some of these descriptions are a little less detailed than usual. Our leaders get-together ended up a bit later in the month than usual which meant that those leading rides in August didn’t have much time to plan their rides. I hope that all the really important information is included, but if you spot any omissions, please let me know.

OCC cycle survey

I thought that I should include a reminder in the newsletter about the cycle survey that OCC are running and which is open for all cyclists in Oxfordshire to give their opinion on current facilities and (hopefully) lead to better and more cyclist-driven provision for cycling in the county in the future. I’m sure we all have strong feelings about this, so please do let the authorities know by filling in this survey. It’s open until 6th September at: https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/Cyclesurvey2019/consultationHome

Happy cycling!

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in July:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2GUoXHHVo6VtQPG7

SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: A SHORT RIDE TO WOLVERCOTE

This month’s short ride is a short circular loop on quieter roads through Botley, Wytham, Wolvercote and Jericho.  We’ll stop for coffee at Jacob’s Inn in Wolvercote.  Jacob’s Inn doesn’t have cake but it does have desert and you can have a small desert (sticky toffee pud, chocolate brownie or strawberry cheesecake) and a tea or coffee for £5.50    Meet at 10am for a prompt 10.15am departure by the Ox statute outside the train station.  The ride is flat and will be around 9 miles long and the pace will be slow and steady.  The ride leader is Natasha Williams.

SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST: MEDIUM RIDE: BY-WAYS TO BLETCHINGDON

Meet from 10.00am for a 10.15am departure outside the back of the University Church in Radcliffe Square, Oxford. The ride will leave Oxford via the University Parks Cycle Track and Marston before crossing the ring road and heading to Thé Café at Greenhill Farm in Bletchingdon via Woodeaton and Islip. The café has changed hands so is no longer the Batch Cafe we visited in March, so is a bit of an unknown quantity…

After coffee and (hopefully) cakes, and/or a light lunch, we will return via Hampton Poyle, approaching north Oxford using the track through Water Eaton. The ride is approximately 18 miles long and does include a few not too steep climbs which can be taken at your own pace, or even walked. The ride leader is Liz Weekes.

SUNDAY 11TH AUGUST: OXFORD CITY CYCLING SHORT RIDE TO WATERPERRY

Meet for a 9.30am departure from outside Oxford Campus Stores on Broad Street. This 22 mile ride will leave Oxford via the University Parks cycle track to Marston before heading up Elsfield Hill (as slowly as desired!). We will then ride along the B4027 through Forest Hill before a short section of A40 cycle track brings us into Holton. We’ll ride through the village and onto Waterperry Gardens for coffee. The return route will take us through Worminghall and Stanton St John before we enter Oxford at the Headington roundabout. There are three hills of note, Elsfield on the way and Stanton St John and up through Barton on the return. The ride will be taken at approximately the usual Isis Cyclists long ride pace, i.e. an average of 10mph and will be led by Stephen Lee.

MONDAY 12TH AUGUST: EVENING SOCIAL RIDE: BEYOND CUMNOR

Meet outside the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad St, Oxford from 5.45pm for a prompt 6pm departure. We will head west along the river before heading off road to Cumnor, Wootton, Besselsleigh and Eaton. We will return to Oxford down Cumnor Hill. We’re not sure which pub we’ll stop at, but it will probably be either in Besselsleigh or Eaton. We’ll go at a gentle pace, so slower riders are very welcome. There will be one hilly section on the way (out of Oxford to Cumnor), but the return will be mainly downhill. This is a social ride, so male friends and partners are welcome to join us. Please remember to bring reflective gear and lights for the return journey as it may be getting dark. The length of the ride will probably be in the range 14-16 miles and the ride leader is Lucy Tennyson.

SATURDAY 17TH AUGUST: LONG RIDE: THE CHRISTMAS BARN IN SUMMER!

This 40-mile ride is your last chance to warm up for September’s 50-mile challenge and will take us north-east to lunch at Stratton Audley Barn (http://www.strattonaudleychristmasbarn.co.uk/). Meet in Radcliffe Square at the back of the University Church from 9:15 onwards, ready to leave at 9:30 (NB the early start time). We will leave Oxford through Marston and ride out via Otmoor and Marsh Gibbon, well to the east of Bicester. The return route swings north to Fringford, south-west to Middleton Cheney, then due south back to Oxford via Weston-on-the-Green and Bletchingdon. We’ll enter Oxford through the back of Summertown.

Depending on the state of everyone’s legs, we may have an optional tea stop at the Flight House between Middleton Cheney and Weston. We’ll also pause for a short rest by the wayside on the outward leg, so please bring a snack to keep you going. The ride leader is Liz Matthews. In terms of terrain, there are a couple of short hills at 5 and 35 miles, and some gentle undulations after lunch. If you would like to rendezvous with us either at Marston (junction of Cherwell Drive & Marsh Lane) or by the turn to Woodeaton, please email me by the evening of Friday 16th.

To view the route, visit https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30797220

SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST: SOCIAL TEA RIDE TO ANNIE’S AT THE BOATHOUSE, ABINGDON

We are going to try out a new café in Abingdon, on a route avoiding main roads for the most part and using cycle tracks and bridleways.  For this reason, it’s not suitable for road bikes with very thin tyres, but all other bikes will be fine.  We’ll climb Boar’s Hill over the fields and then whizz down to Bayworth, continuing to Sunningwell and taking Pen Lane into Abingdon.  We’ll return via Radley, using cycle tracks and the Sustrans route to the river for almost all the ride.  The route is an 18 mile round trip and apart from Boar’s Hill, is almost flat.  Meet outside the Vaults & Gardens café in Radcliffe Square, opposite the Radcliffe Camera, at 1.45pm, to start at 2pm.  As it’s a Bank Holiday weekend, the café will be super busy, so we’ll have to be patient, but this will apply pretty much everywhere.

This is a mixed social ride, so male partners and friends are very welcome to join us. The ride leader is Jane Carlton Smith.

TUESDAY 27TH AUGUST: STOP & STARE RIDE: THE HIDDEN GEMS OF OXFORD

This ride will take in places that the tourists never visit (well, mostly).  They are all outside and I would hope that we get some wonderful weather as we proceed.  Meeting outside the Sheldonian (opposite Blackwell’s) at 1.45pm, we’ll set off at 2pm around the corner into the Turl.  From our first stop, we’ll ride on to a less visited college with beautiful grounds, and then up through Jericho to Summertown.  We’ll finish where we started, via a famous and threatened place.  As the ride is called “Hidden Gems”, this is all the information you’ll get, but if you want to check with the leader, please feel free to email.  The ride is about 6 miles long and should take about three hours with stops and tea.  Depending on how long we stop at each venue, we can take tea and cake in Summertown, in Jericho, or back at the Vaults & Gardens Café in Radcliffe Square.  The ride leader is Jane Carlton Smith.

SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST:  CAR/VAN-ASSISTED RIDE FROM LECHLADE

We are introducing these to replace the train-assisted rides that are no longer possible.  We’ll meet in the Riverside Car Park (shown on Google maps*) in Lechlade at 9.45am and set off at 10am for Kelmscott Manor, for coffee and a look around the house (£10 fee) if you haven’t seen it (before it closes for major renovations).  We’ll have lunch in the lovely Victoria Inn at Eastleach and tea (if time) in Fairford.  The ride is just under 23 miles long and the hills are reasonably widely spaced.  It’s a beautiful area that we don’t often get to explore (this ride was offered for our weekend away in 2017).

As well as leading the ride, Jane Carlton Smith is coordinating lifts for people who cannot transport their own bike.  She will also need to know that you are planning to come (subject to transport), so that lunch can be booked.  We will start as promptly as we can, so please do not arrive late in Lechlade.  Contact Jane via the Contact Us page if you don’t know her email address or phone number.

* From the middle of Lechlade, turn south (left at the lights) on the A361, direction Swindon, and drive over the bridge, past the Riverside Inn, past the Bridge House campsite on your left, and it’s on your right.  Be sure to pay for enough parking because apparently it’s run by a very sharp company who will take every opportunity to fine you if you fall short of payment.  We can’t be sure of finding street parking in Lechlade.