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Past Rides

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Sat Jul 3rd 2010

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove - 3*	3*

Leader: Sorrel Williams	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Starting in Grove, going towards Shrivenham and then taking a right to Highworth. Stopping in Sevenhampton at Roves Farm for tea (mind the gravel road!) and then to Coleshill, Faringdon, Fernham, Fawler, Childrey and Wantage. Only three hills of note, but considering the flatness of the rest of the route - this is likely to be a fairly fast ride. A vote will be taken at the beginning of the ride to see whether we want to stop for tea or not. Deciding factors being; wanting to get home in time to watch the Tour de France, wanting to get home in time to change etc before attending the Pot Luck supper and/or the heat!
Riders: Chris Lea Chris Walters Geoff Neill Sorrel Williams Stephen Quartermain Riders = 5 Report: Well, the Tour de France and Pot Luck supper won the vote at the beginning of the ride. 5 of us headed out on the route as planned, the wind was in our faces for the first half of the ride as we went through Uffington and then onto Shrivenham. We bypassed the spot where we would have stopped for tea and took one of my favourite bits of singletrack road down to Coleshill. Depsite all the claims of 'oh, I'm not fit, I'll walk up Coleshill', we all did specatularly well, particularly Chris L, who's commute to Slough seems to have turned him into a TdF wannabe! Into Faringdon and then out the other side to Uffington and up Fawler Hill, returning via Childrey, East Challow and Grove. Ice-creams all round in Millbrook Square.
Distance: 58.47 km (36.33 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39126409
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=148217"
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Sat Jul 3rd 2010

CTC Oxfordshire Pot Luck Supper

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Grove
Description: At Steve and Lorna's in Grove. Come along for a sociable evening with members from all the local CTC groups; families welcome. Please bring a savoury, salad or sweet and cater for 4 people plus a bottle. Jacket potatoes supplied. It's the evening of Le Tour Prologue, so events may take on a Gallic flavour...there will be a quiz and a raffle in aid of Whizz-Kidz. The event is free but please let Steve and Lorna know that you are coming. Limited parking local to venue, overflow parking at Old Mill Hall car park.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter Carol Altmann Edith Hipwell Geoff Neill Henk Altmann (deceased) John Tranter Lorna Swanton Peter Hallowell Richard Divall Ros Hallowell Steve Swanton Riders = 12 Report: A convivial evening with good company. It was a lovely summer evening and warm enough to sit in the garden for our meal. The food was excellent, the Pimms and red wine flowed... The (Wantage) chairman's table won the Tour de France/Regions of France quiz, with Peter H scooping the main prize (a bottle of French red) on the tie breaker. Thanks to everyone for making it such an enjoyable evening.
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Tue Jul 6th 2010

10-mile club 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: This week we shall be staying in the Vale and making a tour of the island villages of Charney Bassett, Lyford and the Hanneys. We'll also have a short stop to visit the church in West Hanney. 12-14 miles depending on which loops we decide to include on the day.
Riders: Alvaro Rey Steve Swanton Riders = 2 Report: Alvaro and I enjoyed a companionable ride through the Vale, stopping to tour the churchyard at West Hanney (as the church itself was locked). We zig-zagged back by way of Winter lane(as far as Fyfield turning), Charney Bassett, Lyford and Denchworth.
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Tue Jul 6th 2010

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Enjoy an easy-paced ride around the local lanes.
Riders: Andy Belcher Brian Hipwell Edith Hipwell Jo Bindloss-Gibb John Stamp Liz Buckle Michael Tayler Philip Thornton-Evison Richard Preece Steve Boreham Riders = 10 Report: Rain held off this evening 10 cyclisted made a fairly fast circuit of 18.09 miles. heading west out of Grove , Denchworth, West Hanney, Southmoor over the bidge to Longworth, Hinton Waldrist, past Pusey house round bedlam bends through Charney Bassett, Denchworth back to Grove . great ride enjoyed by all
Distance: 29.11 km (18.09 mi)
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Tue Jul 6th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: "The Long One"! This week's plan is to head out through Steventon and Abingdon to Besselsleigh and then back through Netherton, Fyfield and Charney Bassett. 53km, give or take, and we'll not be racing, but will still be going at a pace to get this flat ride done in around 2hrs 15 mins.
Riders: Andrew Robertson Chris Walters Dan Cox David Ryan Des Higgs John Talbot John Tranter Paul Ryan Riders = 8 Report: Not quite as long as we'd hoped! Soon after Denchworth, "stopping" was the cry as Andrew's saddle bolt broke. Fortunately he had a spare (I still can't believe that anyone carries such an esoteric part!) and after 10 minutes or so we got rolling again - not before we'd suffered the indignity of being passed by first the 2* group and then by Steve and Alvaro in the 1* group. We caught the 1* group up, but the 2* group must have quit while they were ahead, and turned off our route... As we'd lost some time, we took the call to shorten the original route by going through Tubney and then into Southmoor before joining the remnants of the original route. The usual dropouts left the ride towards the end, and the Chairman grumbled we'd been going "pretty briskly" towards the end - it transpired he'd not had any tea though! The takeaway was well-earned!
Distance: 45.60 km (28.33 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39475277
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=151357"
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Sun Jul 11th 2010

Sunday afternoon ride from Grove	1*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Gentle ride through the Vale that at 30km/18 miles will be longer than a usual 1* ride, but will run at the usual 1* pace, and won't be hilly. We will find a safe and unusual way to cross a busy main road in Southmoor, go through a village with the unlikely name of Hinton Waldrist and try to catch a glimpse of Pusey House (owned by a Cadbury heiress and up for sale for £27M, if you are interested). We will go through the old village centre of Stanford in the Vale and come home via Denchworth.
Riders: Callum Preece David Smith Jane Pearson John Tranter Matthew Quartermain Richard Divall Richard Preece Stephen Quartermain Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Report: Pretty much perfect weather conditions - beautiful sunshine and a light cooling wind. Welcome to David and Ursula who came over from Newbury to join us. It was also great to see Callum Preece doing very well in covering a lot of miles. Matthew Quartermain was also managing the distance excellently, but to be fair, he wasn't pedalling! A very pleasant afternoon in good company - thanks to everyone who came out.
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
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Tue Jul 13th 2010

CANCELLED - 10-mile club 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A gentle ride around nearby villages - all welcome!
Riders: Riders = 0 Report: No 10-mile club this evening due to the poorer weather.
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Tue Jul 13th 2010

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Enjoy an easy-paced ride around the local lanes.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Edith Hipwell Henk Altmann (deceased) Michael Tayler Susan Holdroyd Riders = 5 Report: Weather dry after a very wet day 5 regular cyclists out for a jaunt. Heading west through Denchworth , West Hannery, left down to Southmoor through the village and up the hill turning left back charney Bassett back through Denchworth and home to Grove.
Distance: 22.53 km (14.00 mi)
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Tue Jul 13th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Tonights ride will be in the long and quick category! Denchworth, Steventon, Milton, Drayton, Abingdon, Gozzards Ford, Tubney and back via Charney Bassett. Bunch sprint finish anticipated at the end....budding Mark Cavendishs this is your chance!
Riders: Angela Sanders Chris Walters David Ryan Frank Schroer Geoff Neill John Talbot Robert Ryan Sorrel Williams Riders = 8 Report: After flipping a coin when Sorrel's planned ride looked almost identical to last week's, Chris led a more westwards version... and the Jinx struck again - twice. Having had a little joke with Robbie about whether he'd fallen off on the way over, as the group slowed just outside of Grove to avoid two boys who were walking in the road, the unthinkable happened and Robbie came off. Old wounds reopened, the "sag wagon" of Dad was summoned, with David cycling off to join them at home. We got on our way again, having been passed by the 2* group, and just outside Hanney, Frank signalled he needed to stop, with what turned out to be a broken spoke. Made safe, Frank limped home, and the remaining 5 continued on a modified route, which included some fine "through and off" showing how much distance a group can sneak ahead when working together well. Sorrel's red face showed how much effort had gone into her turns on front, so we slowed it down and trundled back to Grove, the pace rising again, but nobody really had it in them for the sprint. Just arriving into Grove, the rain we'd avoided all evening turned up, with a very light and refreshing drizzle. A ride of attrition - let's hope there aren't any more of these any time soon!
Distance: 30.00 km (18.64 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40356687
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=154266"
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Wed Jul 14th 2010

CTC Oxfordshire Midweek Audaxes

Leader:	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: Witney Rugby Club, Hailey 0S164/355120
Description: TOUR OF THE COTSWOLDS two Audax UK rides - £5 entry fee - 100km & 60km Contact John Bridgman 01993 881688 07808 231204 N.B. This is not a CTC Wantage-organised ride, contact the organiser directly to take part.
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Sat Jul 17th 2010

CANCELLED - Offroad	2*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Lambourn
Description: RIDE CANCELLED Starting from the car park in Lambourn, an offroad ride through Sheepdrove to the Ridgeway, then heading west past Uffington Hill Fort and back through Upper Lambourn, stopping for liquid refreshment at the Malt Shovel after around 20km. Some solid climbs - mountain bike required.
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Sun Jul 18th 2010

Wantage-Abingdon-Witney Ride	3*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: A traditional all-day touring ride of around 60 miles at a steady pace of 12-13mph, meeting with groups from Abingdon and Witney. Largely flat route with only a couple of climbs all day. Coffee stop in Abingdon Market Place from 10:30-ish aiming for an 11am departure. Lunch at Aston Pottery (@1pm). Tea stop at Uffington village hall (if you haven't been before, you are in for a treat) - arr about 3:15, dep by 4pm. Riders welcome to join us for some or all of the day. Route: - from Wantage we'll be heading out through Lockinge and Ginge dropping down to Steventon and entering Abingdon via Peep-o-day Lane (good off-road). From Abingdon, north to Cumnor by way of Cothill and Besselsleigh down 'Tumbledown Dick' to Farmoor and on to Eynsham where we'll meet Witney riders at about 12. We'll weave our way to Aston Pottery for lunch via Stanton Harcourt. in the afternoon we'll continue westwards to Clanfield and climb into the Vale of White Horse at Faringdon and on to Uffington via Fernham. Final stretch will be through the Vale to Goosey and back to Wantage via Denchworth and West Challow.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Derek Boutle Des Higgs Kevin Hickman Nick Dunton Pat Hurt Rex Belcher Steve Swanton Sue King Teresa Belcher Riders = 10 Report: Or perhaps it should be renamed the snowball ride, given the way we gradually accumulated riders during the day and they melted away towards the end... 17 riders took part in all or some of the ride including 3 from Abingdon and 4 from Witney. Jon S and Richard joined us fo lunch as well. A warm welcome to Guy, Peter, Maurice and John. Further details to follow... p.s. For those heading to Uffington on a Sunday afternoon, please note that teas are being served in the church while the village hall is being extended. Cakes just as good as always.
Distance: 96.56 km (60.00 mi)
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Tue Jul 20th 2010

10-mile club 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Tonight will be our re-scheduled ride to the Letcombes - a beautiful route with a short hill to try. We'll head out to Letcombe Regis and then on to Letcombe Bassett, which featured as Cresscombe in Jude the Obscure. We'll have brief stop by the old cress beds before climbing through this picturesque village and up the short climb of Holborn Hill. Plenty of time for riders to take it at their own pace. From the top of the hill there's a great descent into Childrey and we'll continue on through the village down to the main road by Challow station. After a short stetch along the A338, we'll return via Goosey and Denchworth - 12 miles.
Riders: Alex Walters Barbara Lambers Chris Walters Henk Altmann (deceased) Lorna Swanton Steve Swanton Riders = 6 Report:
Distance: 23.10 km (14.35 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41196589
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Tue Jul 20th 2010

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Enjoy an easy-paced ride around the local lanes.
Riders: Andy Belcher Brian Hipwell Edith Hipwell John Stamp Kevin Fairs Michael Tayler Sara Smith Susan Holdroyd Wenfeng Yang Riders = 9 Report: 18 mile ride this evening out to Denchworth turning left and heading towards Challow Station, a race up the hill turning right towards Sparshot, right again to Westcot through the villlage onto the main road. Turning right again towards White horse hill, right again into Kinston Lisle. A fast descent down common hill reaching speed of 35miles an hour and gliding a good mile over the common without having to pedal. Turning right again heading back to the Wantage /Faringdon road left into Goosey, right past Asti Stud back to Denchworth and Grove. The Groups' fitnes level has improved greatly over the summer months and they enjoy the challenge of speed and hill climbing but not to the level of the 3* ride.
Distance: 29.61 km (18.40 mi)
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Tue Jul 20th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Sorrel Williams	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Long, hilly, quick - or any combination!
Riders: Amanda Seddon Chris Wilder Dan Cox Des Higgs John Talbot Jon Seddon Maurice Bawden Nick Dunton Sorrel Williams Riders = 9 Report: A fairly breezy affair, heading out of Wantage through Charlton Village and then up onto Chain Hill (ignoring most of the grumblings about the wind and gradient). After regrouping at the top, onto Farnborough and West Ilsey and then right turn to Catmore. WestIlsey must have been having a 'quintessential' evening as the whole village seemed to be either on the village cricket pitch or sitting outside the village pub. Following another set of (shorter) hills, we were back onto Chain Hill, making our way back to the Farnborough turn off and the hugely satisfying run back to Wantage. Welcome to Chris on his first ride with us!
Distance: 34.57 km (21.48 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41191185
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Wed Jul 21st 2010

CTC Oxfordshire Midweek group Joint Ride

Leader:	Start Time: 10:45 am	Start Location: Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Filkins
Description: Joint ride with the other CTC sections: E. Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Filkins L. The Fox Inn, Gt Barrington Contact Graham 01608 810734 07773 520153 N.B. This is not a CTC Wantage-organised ride, contact the organiser directly to take part.
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Sat Jul 24th 2010

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 45-55km (30 - 40 miles) afternoon ride, with a tea stop, at a riding pace of ~18km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. This ride will be at the easy end of 2* allowing 1* riders who'd like to try a longer distance to come along. Heading out at a leisurely pace for tea at Faringdon Coffee House. Route outline- Outward- Old Mill Hall, Denchworth, Charney Bassett, Hatford, Shellingford, Fernham, Little Coxwell, Faringdon (Tea). Return-Fernham, Longcot, Woolstone, Uffington, Baulking, Goosey, Denchworth, Old Mill Hall. Approx 32 miles (52km)
Riders: Barry Gills Brian Hipwell Bridget Lambert Chris Walters David Smith Ginny Henderson Glen Savegar John Talbot Maurice Bawden Richard Divall Richard Preece Stephen Quartermain Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Ursula Hallam Riders = 15 Report: Well I seem to have been blessed with a nice run of fair weather on most of my rides this year. Probably should have left my dayglo yellow showerproof top at home though as it wasn't required. Everyone else sensibly opted for the short sleeve look. Anyway! fashion tips aside it was a really nice relaxed afternoon. Looking to the skies towards Denchworth bridge it appeared we were being given a personal flypast by a B52 bomber (honestly!.. Although my aircraft recognition skills are not up to much!) Correct me if I'm wrong !.... We made very good time in spite of a stiff but warming breeze for much of the outward leg. Tea at Faringdon was friendly and efficient as usual, as we soaked up the warm sunshine in the market square. It was nice to see Ginny who cycled from home to join us for tea ! Crossing the busy A420 was the usual faff, but once safely crossed we were soon on peaceful roads admiring the lovely views to Uffington White Horse. A short detour to Woolstone, a real picture box English village with it's 16th century coaching inn and gushing spring water. Pushed along by the now favourable breeze we enjoyed a very relaxed return to OMH. It was great to welcome Barry, a new club member, and nice to meet Bridget, Ursula, and David for the first time. Hope you enjoyed riding out with us ! Thanks everyone for your company! Glen S
Distance: 51.68 km (32.11 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41622018
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Tue Jul 27th 2010

10-mile club 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: This will be our last 10-mile club ride of the season, so tonight a chance to repeat one of the highlights of our rides this summer - the track from West Hanney across to Denchworth. First though we'll head out to Charney Bassett via Denchworth. After a stop on the green, we'll continue on to West Hanney by way of the Ock bridge. Total distance will be about 12 miles with 2 miles of off-road.
Riders: Henk Altmann (deceased) Matthew Quartermain Richard Divall Stephen Quartermain Steve Swanton Riders = 5 Report: All was going well until we joined the off-road track... Since we'd ridden it about 6 weeks before, substantial sections had been covered with hard-core. While some of this had been broken up, some of it remained as large lumps and what had been a delightful track to cycle had become something of an obstacle course. Apologies to all for the discomfort. Somehow Steve managed to cycle the whole thing with Matthew on his child seat (perhaps it was easier than pushing!). Nevertheless it was an enjoyable ride and thanks to all for your amiable company. Steve
Distance: 19.31 km (12.00 mi)
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Tue Jul 27th 2010

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Enjoy an easy-paced ride around the local lanes.
Riders: Andy Belcher Brian Hipwell Dennis Simpkin Edith Hipwell Kevin Fairs Michael Tayler Naomi Mathews Wenfeng Yang Riders = 8 Report: lovely evening allthough rain threatened we never saw any . a lovely ride under the tunnel and over the bridge on the A420 oxford to Swindon road. A fairly fast ride with no complaints completed 22.5 miles.
Distance: 36.21 km (22.50 mi)
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Tue Jul 27th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Out to Buckland and Shifford tonight, back via Newbridge and Southmoor. There's a bit of a climb (not too bad though) up from Newbridge, but otherwise quite gentle terrain. 44km in total.
Riders: Bryan Charleston Chris Walters Dan Cox Des Higgs Ginny Henderson Janet Charleston Maurice Bawden Nick Dunton Peter Busby Philip Thornton-Evison Sorrel Williams Tony Smith Riders = 12 Report: 12 of us set out from Grove - the skies threatened and we had a couple of drops going into Kingston Bagpuize, but otherwise a very uneventful ride out. The pace was solid all the way round, with a few dashes thrown in for good measure.
Distance: 44.10 km (27.40 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/42507184
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=159253"
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Sat Jul 31st 2010

Away ride 100km - Chiltern Classic	3*

Leader: Jan McCabe	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: Benson Waterfront Cafe SU613916
Description: PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL BY 6pm on FRI IF YOU PLAN TO RIDE (ride will only go ahead if I know there are people interested) A 95km Tour or the Chilterns, starting at 9:30 from Benson Waterfront cafe http://www.waterfrontcafe.co.uk (I'll be there at 9 for some breakfast!) I'm not sure what parking facilities are like, but I guess the cafe might not appreciate us leaving cars there all day, so might be better to park in nearby streets. Lunch will be at Thame, I'm not sure what's there, but I'm sure we'll find something suitable! Part of our route before lunch will use about 5 miles of the "Phoenix Trail" - a disused railway which is part of the national cycle network, a good surface which I've seen used as part of an audax without problem. Route is 3* due to the distance and it contains a couple of climbs (Christmas Common and Brill Hill) but will be taken at a gentle pace
Riders: Barry Gills David Bridge David Smith Jan McCabe Neil Warner Stephen Quartermain Ursula Hallam Riders = 7 Report: A good group, good weather, no punctures. Bacon Butties to start, found good Cafe in Thame for Lunch, and cake at end. A few undulations in between!
Distance: 95.00 km (59.03 mi)
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=158887"
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Ride Filter

Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information

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