2024 Easter Rally & AGM - Rally Information

Phil Harmer2024-03-28 11:24:55tce2024

I cycled to the campsite at 9:16 this morning, just before the heavy rain. It did not strike me as particularly windy when cycling. It did become gusty when the heavy rain came in though. So I think as long as you pitch during the sunny periods this afternoon/evening you should be OK.

Phil Harmer2024-03-28 13:35:01tce2024

The earlier crash on the A34 south bound around Newbury has now been cleared - Google shows traffic flowing normally again. 

Mike Paddick2024-03-28 15:42:06tce2024

For various reasons, we plan on doing the shortest ride tomorrow (29 miles?). Is anyone else planning to follow that route?

Mike Paddick2024-03-28 15:42:10tce2024

For various reasons, we plan on doing the shortest ride tomorrow (29 miles?). Is anyone else planning to follow that route?

Mike Paddick2024-03-28 15:42:16tce2024

For various reasons, we plan on doing the shortest ride tomorrow (29 miles?). Is anyone else planning to follow that route?

Phil Harmer2024-03-28 22:20:57tce2024

The West & South routes travel over a ford near the campsite. This was in full flow on Thursday afternoon, but Tim (on the tractor this afternoon) said it normally recedes within 24 hours, so I expect it will be OK by Saturday. There is an alternative route that goes south through Ecchinswell then heads west just as you leave Ecchinswell. I cycled that route this evening and it was OK.

Kevin Hughes2024-03-29 07:14:19tce2024

Just a thought. Should we discuss with the tractor driver about drawing up a booking sheet for tow outs? I guess some attendees will be leaving Sunday evening given the forecast for Monday. Maybe have time slots on the sheet,

Kevin Hughes2024-03-29 07:17:11tce2024

Just insert name and pitch number. Circulate sheet tonight and tomorrow?

Marcus Benton2024-03-29 12:54:58tce2024

Hello. Has anyone found a fluorescent yellow helmet rain-cover please. Lost this morning (Good Friday).

Phil Harmer2024-03-29 17:13:33tce2024

If you are taking a car to the social tonight, pleasd consider offering a lift. I have 4 spaces left on my second run, after Tony+Janet

Phil Harmer2024-03-29 17:14:24tce2024

Stop press ig is around 2 miles to the hall. There is plenty of parking

Phil Harmer2024-03-29 17:14:54tce2024

Please bring a glass or mug with you.

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 07:46:42tce2024

If anyone is going to the International at Veere and has space to take the Tandem Games kit with them, that would be really helpful. I can bring it back, but cannot take it out (the current Mrs Harmer has been very clear on that). Please speak to me this evening. Phil Harmer.

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 07:47:17tce2024

As I mentioned last night, please do consider dropping in at the Blackbird Cafe in Chapel Row, RG7 6PD today. They kindly put on an extra member of staff for us yesterday. The food and cakes are delicious! They will be serving hot food until 2pm today, and will close at 3pm. The EM, EMP and EL routes alll go through Chapel Row. You can find it as you turn south by the Bladebone Inn.

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 10:52:32tce2024

Warning: EM, EMP, EL rides flooded beteween Ufton Green and the A4. It is about 300m long and 1 foot at it deepest. I suggest change route to get to the A4 at Padworth

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 11:36:54tce2024

The Padworth route is all dry. Aim for Padworth Common up at the top, then from there head down to Padworth.

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 22:23:06tce2024

The West routes all go via Adbury ford (see attached screenshot of route). We drove over this route this evening. The water has receded below the ford now and it is entirely passable. Beyond the ford, the road has a lot of muddy debris on it. The ford route is 3.7 miles from the campsite to Sandham memorial chapel. There is an alternative route - see my next post

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 22:23:49tce2024

The alternative route is 5.2 miles from the campsite to Sandham Memorial chapel. Whilst there are still potholes, the road is clearer.

Phil Harmer2024-03-30 22:27:32tce2024

Janet & John Roberts lost a roll-up tool kit today - black & sized like a glasses case. It likely dropped off their bike near the Honesty Cafe, Greenham Common. If you see the tool roll, please let Janet or John know.

Phil Harmer2024-08-14 13:08:18tce2024

A parcel addressed to Giles Orton of the Tandem club has arrived at Barter Books. I have put the parcel in the webdesk for collection

STOP PRESS:
Sunday 24th March: I have replaced some of the rides with new versions to avoid 2 road closures.  The new rides are: TC944_NVS_29m_Hermitage, TC945_NS_37m_Hermitage, TC946_NM_47m_East_Ilsley, TC947_NL_60m_East_Ilsley, TC948_EM_39m_Beenham, TC949_EMP_48m_Yattendon and TC950_EL_54m_Hampstead_Norreys.  I also updated TC923_EVS_23m_Baughurst (typo direction wrong) and TC924_ES_28m_Silchester (typo direction wrong).   You can now download the rides again.

General Rally Information

Directions

I only recommend approaching the campsite from the A339, located south of Newbury and Greenham Common, which runs East-West.

From the A339 at the 4-way roundabout for Greenham Business park, take the south exit signed to Ecchinswell and Bishops Green. Follow the road for 0.5 miles. The farm entrance is on the left next to a large grey barn as the road enters a sharp right hand bend.

Arrival

This is a small family run campsite, so please arrive in the indicated time slots if possible. If outside these time slots you will need to ring the campside in advance on 01635-268365 so they can be present to assist you.

Once you have entered the campsite, the family members will manage the queueing and will guide you to your pitch. The campsite will arrange all the placement onto the individual pitches as people arrive, so that they can choose the firmer ground for the larger vehicles. They are aware of the special requests that you put on your booking forms. There are 2 entrances side -by-side. On the left is a 2m height barrier which will be left open during the rally for easy access by car and by tandem. On the right is a hinged gate which requires a code to unlock. You will be given this code when you arrive. Please do not share this with anybody.

On Thursday 28th March, please arrive between 11am and 10pm. If traffic means you will be later please call the campsite on 01635-268365. It will be easier to pitch in the light, so arrival before 6:30pm will be advantageous!

On days prior to the rally, ideally, please arrive between 1pm and 5:30pm. If you will arrive outside these times please ring 01635-268365 *before* you arrive.

On days during the rally, you may arrive between *TO BE CONFIRMED*

Departure

Please depart the site by 1pm.

Parking for people off-site

Free parking is available on the campsite for offsite people on each of the 3 main riding days: Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday.

The parking area is accessed via a 2m height barrier. As you enter the campsite, there is a small area for temporary waiting where you could remove your tandems if you cannot go under the 2m barrier with them on. Once you are through the height barrier, the parking is the large gravelled area to your right.

Friday Night Social

On Friday evening we will be gathering at Ecchinswell Village Hall for a presentation by SteLa Tandem, followed by sandwiches/wraps and pastries. There will be wine / soft drinks and tea / coffee available. This is funded by your rally fee, so free on the night. I have allowed for 3 savoury items per person - 2 small sandwiches and a wrap.

Travelling by tandem is a good way - it will avoid heavy traffic at the campsite, plus no problem with a second glass of wine. A lock is advisable!

Please bring a glass or mug - I have a small number of disposable cups in case you forget yours.

The village hall's post code is RG20 4UB

Directions: Turn left out of the campsite to travel south. You will find the village hall on the right, just after Ecchinswell church which is on the left hand side. If you reach the school or The Royal Oak, you have gone too far.

Schedule

Time Itinary
18:00 Committee & volunteers help get the hall ready
18:30 Members start to arrive; drinks served
19:00 Presentation starts
20:00 Q&A, then food served, along with further drinks
21:00 Start tidying up hall
21:30 Head back to the campsite

 

Saturday AGM

On Saturday the AGM will be held at Ecchinswell Village Hall at 5pm. This is open to all members of the club, not just rally-goers.

There will be complimentary wine / soft drinks and tea / coffee available.

Please bring a glass or mug - I have a small number of disposable cups in case you forget yours.

Schedule

Time Itinary
16:00 Committee & volunteers help get the hall ready
16:30 Members start to arrive; drinks served
17:00 AGM starts
19:00 AGM concludes
19:30 Start tidying up hall
20:00 Head back to the campsite

 

Routes and Places of Interest Viewable and Downloadable

The table below summarises the routes that have been created for the event. The names of the routes have been designed to make it possible for people with older devices (fewer characters of the route names displayed) to distinguish between the routes. When you download the zip files at the bottom of this webpage, the ride ID is prefixed onto the name, to make up the name of the gpx tracks.  Downloading a ride's gpx file individually prefixes the name with "TcRide-" followed by the ride ID,meaning fewer characters available to distinguish rides.  The OS maps referred to in the table are the Landranger 1:50,000 series.

 

Suggested Day Direction Length ID Name Miles Feet climbed OS 173
Swindon
OS 174
Newbury
OS 175
Reading
OS 185
Winchester
Good Friday North Very Short 944 NVS_29m_Hermitage 29.5 1265   X    
Good Friday North Short 945 NS_37m_Hermitage 37.0 1555   X    
Good Friday North Medium 946 NM_47m_East_Ilsey 46.9 2156   X    
Good Friday North Long 947 NL_60m_East_Ilsey 60.5 3051   X   X
Saturday East Very Short 923 EVS_23m_Baughurst 23.0 882   X    
Saturday East Short 924 ES_28m_Silchester 28.2 1059   X X  
Saturday East Medium 948 EM_39m_Beenham 39.2 1546   X X  
Saturday East Medium Plus 949 EMP_48m_Yattendon 48.5 2205   X X  
Saturday East Long 950 EL_54m_Hampstead_Norreys 54.6 2481   X X  
Easter Sunday West Short 928 WS_31m_Hungerford 31.2 1519   X    
Easter Sunday West Medium 929 WM_46m_Great_Bedwyn 46.5 2296   X    
Easter Sunday West Long 930 WL_66m_Marlborough 66.3 2975 X X    
Bonus route South Short 931 SS_40m_Whitchurch 40.2 2177   X   X
Bonus route South Medium 932 SM_49m_Long_Parish 48.4 2656   X   X
Bonus route South Long 933 SL_58m_Stockcross 58.1 3017   X   X

 

I have compiled a list of many of the cafes you will encounter on the rides with their Easter opening hours: TCE2024_Cafes_and_pubs.pdf

 

... and here is an edittable version if you wish to change the layout: TCE2024_Cafes_and_pubs.xlsx

 

I read this week that the rainfall in the last 18 months has been the highest 18 months since UK records began.

This rainfall is apparent in the quality of the local road surfaces.  In places, you will need to ride very carefully because of the potholes and the gravel that has been washed from the soil to the middle of the lane.

These rides were last updated on 24/03/2024, the second release (which avoid ongoing road closures).  [if there are updates to the rides,the changes will noted here].

The following is the list of rides with maps showing the ride with statistics and places of interest on the routes. Only those booked for the event and logged into the website will be able to access these.

29/03/2024
Id: 945
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28014
Ride length: 59 km
Ride ease: Easy
TCE2024 Good Friday TC Ride 945 North Short 37 miles Hermitage This route heads North West from the campsite over Greenham Common, so is not suitable for Easter Saturday when a park run is taking place. The route heads through Newbury, taking in the Kennet & Avon Canal. Lots of choice of cafes here, ...
29/03/2024
Id: 946
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28014
Ride length: 75 km
Ride ease: Average
TCE2024 Good Friday TC Ride 946 North Medium 47 miles East Ilsley This route heads North West from the campsite over Greenham Common, so is not suitable for Easter Saturday when a park run is taking place. In Newbury, it passes the Kennet & Avon Canal. Lots of choice of cafes here, including Rufus I ...
29/03/2024
Id: 947
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28014
Ride length: 96 km
Ride ease: Hard
TCE2024 Good Friday TC Ride 947 North Long 60 miles East Ilsley This route heads North West from Bishops Green campsite over Greenham Common, so is not suitable for Easter Saturday when a park run is taking place. It reaches Newbury first where it takes in the Kennet & Avon Canal. Lots of choice of ...
29/03/2024
Id: 944
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28014
Ride length: 47 km
Ride ease: Easy
TCE2024 Good Friday TC Ride 944 North Very Short 29.5 miles Hermitage This route heads North West from the campsite over Greenham Common, so is not suitable for Easter Saturday when a park run is taking place. Calling in at Newbury first, it passes along and over the Kennet & Avon Canal. Lots of cho ...
30/03/2024
Id: 948
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.28036
Ride length: 63 km
Ride ease: Average
TCE2024 Easter Saturday TC Ride 948 East Medium 39.2 miles Beenham This route heads South from the campsite and follows an anti-clockwise route. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages. The route passes through Kingsclere, then heads to Silchester Roman City Walls & Ampitheatre. It ...
30/03/2024
Id: 949
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.28036
Ride length: 78 km
Ride ease: Average
TCE2024 Easter Saturday TC Ride 949 East Medium Plus 48.5 miles Yattendon This route heads South from the campsite and follows an anti-clockwise route. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages. After Ecchinswell it passes through Kingsclere, then heads to Silchester Roman City Walls ...
30/03/2024
Id: 950
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.28036
Ride length: 88 km
Ride ease: Hard
TCE2024 Easter Saturday TC Ride 950 East Long 54.6 miles Hampstead Norreys This route heads South from the campsite and follows an anti-clockwise route. After Ecchinswell it passes through Kingsclere, then heads to Silchester Roman City Walls & Ampitheatre. Next is Mortimer for a coffee, then Bradfi ...
30/03/2024
Id: 923
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28033
Ride length: 37 km
Ride ease: Easy
TCE2024 Easter Saturday TC Ride 923 East Very Short 23 miles This route heads South from the campsite and follows an anti-clockwise route. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages. The route passes through Kingsclere, then heads to Baughurst and Wasing. You can choose to head East t ...
30/03/2024
Id: 924
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.28036
Ride length: 45 km
Ride ease: Easy
TCE2024 Easter Saturday TC Ride 924 East Short 28.2 miles This route heads South from the campsite and follows an anti-clockwise route. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages. The route passes through Kingsclere, then heads to Silchester Roman City Walls & Ampitheatre. It heads to ...
31/03/2024
Id: 928
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28015
Ride length: 50 km
Ride ease: Easy
TCE2024 Easter Sunday TC Ride 928 West Short 31.2 miles This route heads West from the campsite. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages around North Hampshire and West Berkshire. The route passes the Sandham Memorial Chapel with its large murals by Sir Stanley Spencer. The first c ...
31/03/2024
Id: 929
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28015
Ride length: 75 km
Ride ease: Average
TCE2024 Easter Sunday TC Ride 929 West Medium 46.5 miles This route heads West from the campsite. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages around North Hampshire and West Berkshire. The route passes the Sandham Memorial Chapel with its large murals by Sir Stanley Spencer. The first ...
31/03/2024
Id: 930
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3638, -1.28015
Ride length: 106 km
Ride ease: Hard
TCE2024 Easter Sunday TC Ride 930 West Long 66.3 miles This route heads West from the campsite. The route takes in small country lanes and quiet villages around North Hampshire, West Berkshire and Wiltshire. The route passes the Sandham Memorial Chapel with its large murals by Sir Stanley Spencer. T ...
01/04/2024
Id: 931
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.2803
Ride length: 65 km
Ride ease: Easy
TCE2024 Bonus Route TC Ride 931 South Short 40.2 miles This route is presented as an optional alternative to the North, East and West routes. The route does an anti-clockwise loop south of the campsite, taking in small country lanes and quiet villages around Hampshire and West Berkshire. The route p ...
01/04/2024
Id: 932
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.2803
Ride length: 79 km
Ride ease: Average
TCE2024 Bonus Route TC Ride 932 South Medium 49.4 miles This route is presented as an optional alternative to the North, East and West routes. The route does an anti-clockwise loop south of the campsite, taking in small country lanes and quiet villages around Hampshire and West Berkshire. The route ...
01/04/2024
Id: 933
Location: RG20 4JP
Postcode: RG20 4JP
Map Reference: 51.3637, -1.2803
Ride length: 93 km
Ride ease: Hard
TCE2024 Bonus Route TC Ride 933 South Long 58.1 miles This route is presented as an optional alternative to the North, East and West routes. The route does an anti-clockwise loop south of the campsite, taking in small country lanes and quiet villages around Hampshire and West Berkshire. The route pa ...

The ability to download all the rides, by a member, in a zip file will be available once the rides have been published here.

15 random places within 30 km of the area are given below. Click on the title above to see all places and for more info

Note the ride maps show all of the places on routes as icons on the maps.

Full place listing.

Id: 5425

Category: food/gardenCentre

Map Reference: 51.18973, -1.01081

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 9239

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.39878, -1.32665

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 8891

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.40951, -1.32331

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 5495

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.11388, -1.49165

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 8678

Category: food/farmshop

Map Reference: 51.32293, -1.20423

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 8039

Category: food/pub

Map Reference: 51.32497, -1.24295

Show on a map

Added by: Robert Bending

Id: 5419

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.11132, -1.05397

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 6764

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.61964, -1.11509

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 861

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.114, -1.4929

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 5437

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.09704, -1.51053

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 8074

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.15758, -1.44004

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 4230

Category: food/pub

Map Reference: 51.31573, -1.148

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Added by: Robert Bending

Id: 8033

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.56771, -1.2414

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 6745

Category: food/cafe

Map Reference: 51.40199, -1.32109

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Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 4232

Category: food/pub

Map Reference: 51.29415, -1.22628

Show on a map

Added by: Robert Bending

15 random places within 30 km of the area are given below. Click on the title above to see all places and for more info

Note the ride maps show all of the places on routes as icons on the maps.

Full place listing.

Id: 6746

Category: interest/museum

Map Reference: 51.40134, -1.32176

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 5438

Category: interest/garden

Map Reference: 51.09632, -1.51016

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 1833

Category: interest/house

Map Reference: 51.58497, -1.0217

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 2280

Category: interest/house

Map Reference: 51.12194, -1.19855

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 2255

Category: interest/castle

Map Reference: 51.41967, -1.33817

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 3696

Category: interest/historic

Map Reference: 51.55674, -1.39015

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 1845

Category: interest/house

Map Reference: 51.49912, -1.12155

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 1853

Category: interest/church

Map Reference: 51.34469, -1.33629

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 1835

Category: interest/house

Map Reference: 51.62031, -1.32905

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 3452

Category: interest/vintageRailway

Map Reference: 51.6111, -1.24308

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 2293

Category: interest/historic

Map Reference: 51.35626, -1.07943

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 9246

Category: interest/industrial

Map Reference: 51.22836, -1.33854

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 6772

Category: interest/historic

Map Reference: 51.55149, -1.02127

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 1854

Category: interest/house

Map Reference: 51.30689, -1.08861

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Id: 3694

Category: interest/historic

Map Reference: 51.55753, -1.44687

Show on a map

Added by: Neil Wheadon

Other Files

TypeFileNameDateSize

TCE2024_Cafes_and_pubs.pdf2024-03-27 07:51am150K
TCE2024_Cafes_and_pubs.xlsx2024-03-27 07:51am15K
info.html2024-06-12 08:15am14K