Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Tue Jan 3rd 2017

Tuesday Evening Off-Road Ride	2*

Leader:	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any two. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather. For winter, we'll start Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: Robin Tucker Riders = 1 Weather: Report: Just me, but actually quite pleasant conditions, apart from squichy mud on the ridgeway. It was a short ride, up via Ardington and Betterton, down via Bitham Wood and Goddards Brook.
Distance: 14.48 km (9.00 mi)
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Sat Jan 7th 2017

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	3*

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 60-70km (38-45 miles) afternoon ride, with a tea stop, riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). Likely to visit distant destinations. Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing likely. We'll take a trip over the Ridgeway via Hackpen, down to Lambourn and back via Ashbury, Shrivenham and Denchworth. I've shortened the original route to miss out Aldbourne due to the shorter days but included a trip to Shrivenham, so we'll have a few less familiar roads to ride and a few less climbs - what's not to like at this time of the year?! As this is a 56km ride to accommodate post Christmas legs and the shorter days we won't plan a coffee stop so bring some snacks with you - as well as your lights !
Riders: Adam Cavendish David Smith Jane John Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Richard Ashford Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Sara Ward Simon Atkin Ursula Hallam Yvonne Bird Riders = 16 Weather: Report: What a delightful way to start the 2017 3* calendar With the addition of Simon Atkins who joined us for the first time (welcome to you Simon), we fielded a healthy 16 riders for what promised to be a dry, if cloudy, 56km ride over Ridgeway and back. The cloudy bit was correct but as we were cycling 'through' the cloud we got a bit wetter than anticipated, though spirits seemed buoyant throughout. Sadly we lost Robin to 'inner tube failure' around Holborn Hill (hope you made it back safely Robin!). After a brief exchange with a white van man in Lambourn, we had an extended stop to chat and snack at the top of Ashbury Hill (Walnut Tree Hill ?) before descending back to Shrivenham and the vale. I'd planned the route to take in the particularly pleasant views of the Ridgeway en route to Uffington. I can (just) confirm that the Ridgeway was there, but the views existed only as a chromatic palette of greys! A very pleasant, enjoyable and sociable ride was topped of by Richards' glee at having covered 35.02 miles. Bless!
Distance: 56.40 km (35.05 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12493678
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18228794"
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Written by : Jo

Posted on : January 7, 2017 at 7:24 PM

A great ride, thanks Jon.
Thank you also to Robin for sorting out my mudguard- it's much better, thanks

Written by : Richard

Posted on : January 9, 2017 at 11:39 AM

35.02 is sooo much better than 34.98!

Written by : Simon Atkin

Posted on : January 10, 2017 at 8:55 AM

Most enjoyable ride, thanks everyone. Hope to join you again soon.

Written by : Robin

Posted on : January 14, 2017 at 5:28 PM

The first puncture was ok. But my spare tube popped when I was pumping it! Then I patched the first one, and discovered that it had another puncture in it! And that all my other instant patches had lost their stickiness! So I was stuck with a pedal-and-go back to Wantage, into the shop to by a new tube, and then fit it and ride back to Grove. Phew!

Tue Jan 10th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any two. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather. For winter, we'll start Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: David Brown Richard Pethybridge Robin Tucker Riders = 3 Weather: Report: My punctures don't just come in threes, they come in sixes! After 3 punctures causing me to drop out of the Sunday road ride, I was hoping to catch up on some exercise. The muddy conditions certainly too care of that, as we climbed up Lark Hill, up to the Ridgeway, down Ice Valley and up Gamekeepers. But back up on the Ridgeway I realised I had a flat on the front. No problem, I changed the tube. We then had a rapid and fun descent at Harwell, and lots of fun through some cheeky tracks in the woods. After slogging through the mud back to the NCN track, I realised I had another flat coming on the front. It seemed slow and we were heading back now, so I elected to 'pump and go'. We shot off to get as far as we could before needing another pump. Then about 200m down the track - BANG! - and my back tyre collapsed. On later inspection, the sidewall may have giving way and the tube then herniaed through and popped. That was then end of my ride. Fortunately, being close to home I called my wife and started walking a muddy mile to the nearest extraction point. Dave and Richard continued back to Wantage. After being picked up, Kerry took me to Wantage to retrieve my car and we found David and Richard had just finished their ride.
Distance: 24.14 km (15.00 mi)
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Wed Jan 11th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Why not join us for a new year blast to burn off some of those festive calories? This is the first in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, a workout focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Jo Little Karen Townsin Nick Portsmouth Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 8 Report: Was it just me who over-ate during the festive period? The turbo-ers seemed to take the aerobic intervals in their stride, maintaining energy and form through to the last. Well done everyone, particularly Jo, and congratulations to Phil for guessing the theme. Hope I didn't bring you down with the deceased list!
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Sat Jan 14th 2017

Saturday Afternoon Ride From Grove	2*

Leader: John Tranter	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 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Might be a struggle for new or irregular riders in winter months. A shorter ride given the daylight available. We will go north via Denchworth, Charney and Hatford and do the satisfyingly dramatic drop down into the Thames valley from Littleworth. Then we turn back to Faringdon and make our way home through the Vale, via Fernham and Uffington. There is an option for a coffee stop in Faringdon, but I suspect it will make more sense to keep on rolling and head for home. A couple of small hills, but nothing major, and a nice relaxed pace to get us back into the groove after the holidays. 30 miles / 50km at around 12mph / 19kph.
Riders: Brian Hipwell Charlotte Ward Des Higgs Jan McCabe Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Louis Hall Nicole Pethybridge Olivia Pile Phil Ward Richard Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Sara Ward Sharon Bedford Steve Boreham Riders = 18 Weather: Report: Really encouraging to see such a big group gathering. It was cold, but fairly bright and a lot of people were clearly keen to get out on their bikes. It was particularly nice to welcome back Charlotte, Des, Jan, Olivia and Sharon - it was great to see you all! Although it was big group, things went very smoothly - aided by excellent sweeping from Richard. We decided against the coffee stop option in Faringdon in favour of bashing on and finishing in the light, although it was noticeable that we are starting to get a bit more daylight now. All in all, a pleasant and mellow ride through our beautiful patch. Thanks to all for making it such a nice afternoon out.
Distance: 46.67 km (29.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12574364
a big 2* group swooping through Hatford. a big 2* group swooping through Hatford. a big 2* group swooping through Hatford. Sara stretches the peloton on the climb to Faringdon. climbing the hill to Faringdon. Phil and Charlotte looking cool in Faringdon. climbing the hill to Faringdon.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9326434"
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Tue Jan 17th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any two. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather. For winter, we'll start Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: David Brown Robin Tucker Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Back to temperatures around zero, and due to work only two of us were out tonight. The ground was still wet from Monday's rain. We set off via Ardington and up to the Ridgeway at Betterton. Then, remembering a new-found piece of track near Sparsholt, we headed west on the Ridgeway. It was a long hard slog in sticky conditions, but we made it. And the track was good: singletrack, gently downhill through the woods with the occasional branch to hop over. Then we headed back via the canal to Grove, with Dave turning left and me turning right.
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
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Wed Jan 18th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Phil Ward	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: This is the second in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, a workout focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. Tonight: Warm up commencing 18:40 onwards - the warmer the better for the workout that will start at 19:00. Aim: To improve your maximum aerobic capacity (i.e. your power at the height of your oxygen uptake) by pinpointing repeatable 1-minute power efforts to really stress your aerobic capabilities in order to improve them. Between these efforts will be long recovery slots - fear not, it is quite within your grasp There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jo Little Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Report: A merry band (and a mystery transient guest - who was he ?) assembled for a testing VO2 session. The guest didn't stay to ride though. We were working really well above threshold while maintaining great poise. Well done all, as a group we are gradually adopting a higher cadence, recruiting more slow twitch muscle mass to the cause, which in turn will be extending our endurance out on the road and looking after joints at the same time. Especially good to see Katherine and Des back in the saddle after episodes of illness. Hopefully that wasn't too much of an assault on the system ?
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Written by : Karen T

Posted on : January 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Great session again Phil; informative and really helpful too on the technical side. Thanks.

Sat Jan 21st 2017

Easy Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	1*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Monthly 16-32km (10-20 miles) family and social afternoon rides, usually with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs. A late change of leader - get well soon, Steve! A gentle ride around the Vale with a tea stop at the Bay Tree Cafe in Wantage for our first 1* outing of the New Year. We'll ride through the pretty villages of Denchworth, Lyford, Charney Bassett and Childrey. There will be a few short/gentle ups and a great descent of the Portway into Wantage before our tea stop towards the end of the ride. 16 mile round trip from Grove. Lights recommended for your ride home.
Riders: Barry Stanton Bethany Tranter Brian Hipwell Carin Tranter David Bridge George Bacharach Jackie Peck Jan McCabe John Hogston John Tranter Karl Blake Linda Walker Malcolm Peck Steve Boreham Tim Parr Tony Clark Riders = 16 Weather: Report: A VERY cold ride, with a high point at the start of 3 deg C and a low point of zero by the time we finished. On the plus side, it was beautifully sunny and there was no wind. Great to see such a good turnout once again, with the chance to welcome new riders Malcolm, Jackie, Linda and young George. Also great to welcome back John and Tim after riding with us a few months ago. The ride was fairly uneventful, although we had to take care on some stretches of icy road. Everyone managed the ride extremely well and various people peeled off to head home as we approached Wantage. We got to the cafe but the consensus view was to give it a miss and get home and warm as the temperature dropped. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable afternoon out in the Vale!
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12660571
A chilly 1* ride through the Vale - lovely sunshine, though! A chilly 1* ride through the Vale - lovely sunshine, though! A chilly 1* ride through the Vale - lovely sunshine, though! A chilly 1* ride through the Vale - lovely sunshine, though! A chilly 1* ride through the Vale - lovely sunshine, though! A chilly 1* ride through the Vale - lovely sunshine, though!
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18595698"
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Written by : Phil Ward

Posted on : January 21, 2017 at 5:50 PM

Well done all, it was a beautiful day to be out but perishing cold (well stood on a hockey touchline it felt that way).

Written by : Karl Blake

Posted on : January 21, 2017 at 8:14 PM

Great ride John, great pictures!

Sun Jan 22nd 2017

Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Monthly 80-100km (50-65 miles) all-day touring ride, lunch and possibly tea stop en route, at a riding pace of 18-22km/h (11-14mph). Not suitable for irregular riders. Climbing almost inevitable. Update Sat 1600. Checked part of the route this morning. It was v cold, at one point -7degC, but there were no icy patches, so we should be able to do the original route. Update Wed Evening - It looks as if it will be a cold but fine day. If the lanes look icy alternative route will be Ilsleys-Compton-Upper Basildon-Bradfield-Hermitage-Donnington-Gt Shefford-Wantage. I'll assess the state of the roads on Saturday, so check the website Sat evening. Pang Valley Tour This is an exploration of the small lanes along the Pang Valley returning via Bucklebury, Boxford and Brightwalton. After grinding our way up Chain hill and down the other side we turn off onto the lanes at Lilley, working our way over to Beedon and onto Hampstead Norreys where we cross over the River Pang. From here the route wends its way through Frilsham, past the ford and onto Bradfield where we cross over to the South bank and head West through Bucklebury to a lunch stop at Hermitage (Hillier Garden Centre). The return passes through Curridge, Snelsmore Common and Boxford then back via Brightwalton and Letcombe Regis. This is a shortish relatively hilly (1000 m) ride along country lanes which will be rather muddy at this time of year so mudguards are recommended and the route is subject to change depending on the weather. It would be useful to have some idea of numbers so please let me know if you intend coming (nicknpbmd@aol.com or text me on 07582 483315).
Riders: Andy Pixton Hugh Falkner Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nick Stokell Riders = 6 Weather: Report: You don’t get better days of weather in January than this, which suited a scenic countryside tour of some of the best small lanes that Oxfordshire and W Berkshire have to offer. It was just below freezing when we set off from WMP but we were all up to temperature by the time we reached the top of Chain Hill. An early stop at Hampstead Norreys for a coffee and cake was welcomed by all - highly recommended for future rides. Jon then departed for dog minding duty, and we headed down the quiet lanes towards Bradfield. A week of dry weather had left the roads clear of mud and ice, occasionally with a thin veneer of frost, but always with adequate grip. We turned West at Bradfield College and after the wood-lined avenue through Chapel Row we sped down the valley side to Bucklebury. There were a few remaining patches of ice at the North side of the road but these were easily avoided as we worked our way up towards Hermitage. Hilliers GC was the appointed refuelling stop and fulfilled all the requirements admirably. After lunch we climbed up towards Snelsmore and then Boxford, and enjoyed the increasing temperature and the views across the downs. After a pause above Woolley for photos the high speed descent of Manor Road was preferred to Court Hill and we were back at WMP by 1510. A feature of the day was the birdlife – all the hedgerows were teaming with small birds, lots of buzzards at low level and lapwing in the fields. It could almost have been Spring! It was a joy to lead such a friendly and harmonious group.
Distance: 0.00 km (0.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12677382
Top of Woolley Hill looking W towards Fawley Top of Woolley Hill looking W towards Fawley
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18417255"
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Written by : Karen

Posted on : January 22, 2017 at 5:28 PM

Thanks Nick for a great ride today. Loved the route - tough - but you made it accessible. Thanks too for good decision making and being flexible enough to add unscheduled coffee stop and slightly more direct route home so that we finished before the temp. plummeted. Much appreciated.

Mon Jan 23rd 2017

Committee Meeting

Leader:	Start Time: 7:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Committee Meeting
Riders: David Smith John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Nicole Pethybridge Paul Jarvis Steve Boreham Steve Swanton Riders = 8 Report:
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Tue Jan 24th 2017

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Richard Pethybridge	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any two. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather. For winter, we'll start Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: David Yearley Richard Pethybridge Riders = 2 Weather: Report: Only two riders tonight, enduring a mud fest. Thick, sticky and constant, to the extent that wheel removal was at one point the only solution to non-rotation! A night for aficionados.
Distance: 22.05 km (13.70 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/847375748
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Wed Jan 25th 2017

Turbo Training

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: This is the third in another block of 10 turbo sessions. Drop in for a one off session or sign up for all 10. You'll find us a friendly, inclusive bunch who'll never leave you behind on the hills; we can guarantee that the weather will be good too! Each session, of approximately 1 hour's duration, will comprise of a warm up, a workout focusing on different elements of training and a warm down. Different leaders plan and deliver each session, accompanied by a soundtrack. There is a small charge to cover the cost of hiring the hall. Please contact Karen if you have any questions.
Riders: Amanda Seddon David Talboys Des Higgs Jane John Jo Little Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Phil Ward Sara Ward Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Report: Another good turnout for a cold Wednesday evening - nearly capacity! The session was designed to give a good workout over 3 - 4 minute bursts interspersed with similar length recovery periods. I think we achieved a good work out ( I know I did judging by how long I was in HR zones 3 & 4!). Jane successfully loaded her cadence monitor and has now also found the 'start' button! Jo learned the value of tightening the axle locks on the Turbo! The theme prize was won by Amanda after four tracks. Sara and Katherine came a close second after 11 tracks ! Don't forget - no Turbo session next week ( 1st Feb ). Next session 8th Feb.
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Sat Jan 28th 2017

Saturday Afternoon Ride from Grove	2*

Leader: Karen Townsin	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 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be very hilly. Might be a struggle for new or irregular riders in winter months. To complement John's route earlier this month, I thought we might head out North again, but this time to Aston Pottery. Depending on the weather we might actually manage a tea stop! So out via Denchworth, Lyford, Southmoor and Standlake to Aston. Return route via Great Brook, Buckland, Charney Bassett and Denchworth. There is one climb to take us out of the Thames basin on the return route, but otherwise a flat route of 50km/30 miles. Lights will be needed for the return journey.
Riders: Bethany Tranter Brian Hipwell Des Higgs Jane John Jo Little John Groves Jon Townsin Joy Arthur Karen Townsin Simon Atkin Yvonne Bird Riders = 11 Weather: Report: A lovely ride today; a great bunch of riders and much milder conditions than of late. As we gathered at OMH, Steve (who had hoped to join us) and Lorna arrived to wave us off - get better soon Steve. We made good time on the outward journey, despite the head wind, crossing the A420 safely and splitting into smaller groups where necessary. Stopping close to Aston to put on rain-jackets ensured that the only shower of the day ceased immediately. The cakes at Aston Pottery were as good as ever, and despite feeling quite comfortable and warm, we decided to set off again after a quickish stop. Everyone managed the hill from Tadpole Bridge with style and the rest of the return journey passed with plenty of chatter. Welcome to Eddie on his first CUK Wantage ride and welcome back to Simon. Thanks everyone for being such an easy group to lead. You stayed together well and I'm sure Oxfordshire's motorists appreciated your small group discipline on the A415.
Distance: 49.30 km (30.63 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12753296
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12661728"
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Tue Jan 31st 2017

Tuesday Evening Off-road Ride	2*

Leader: Robin Tucker	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Description: Off-road ride around local tracks, usually about 15 miles. Knobbly tyres and good lights required. We are keen to welcome new riders and have spare lights available to borrow if you let me know. Dark, cold and wet - we'll ride in any two. But please let me know if you are coming so I can tell you if I decide to cancel due to really bad weather. For winter, we'll start Outside Lord Nelson pub, Lark Hill, Wantage
Riders: Robin Tucker Riders = 1 Report: Almost 10 of us out tonight, by which I mean 1 of me and 0 of any one else. It was cold, wet and dark which may have had something to do with it. So I did a minimal 9 miles up to the Ridgeway via Betterton and down via Goddard.
Distance: 14.48 km (9.00 mi)
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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