CYCLISTS peddled from Wantage to Winchester to celebrate the life of King Alfred the Great.
More than 100 cyclists set off on the 52-mile trek from his birthplace in the then village of Wantage on Sunday.
They passed the Blowing Stone where King Alfred is said to have summoned his troops to fend off the Vikings, before entering Winchester, the then capital of Wessex and later England, where riders passed the remains of Hyde Abbey, which is where the monarch was reburied in 1110.
Outgoing Wantage mayor Patrick O’Leary was disappointed not to be among the 129 riders, having hurt his knee cycling two weeks ago.
He said: “It’s all about community. What I find amazing is King Alfred is the only one classed ‘Great’ and after all these years, we are still doing something to commemorate him.”
The ride was part of Hyde900, which celebrates the history of Hyde Abbey in Winchester.
Cyclist Len Double, 57, cycled to Wantage from his home near Winchester before embarking on the return route, which took three hours.
He said: “Wantage is a fantastic place. I will definitely go again. We thought the whole route was really well thought out.”
More Wantage news
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here