Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat Feb 1st 2020

3* Saturday Half Day Ride	3*

Leader: Jo Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Half day ride (60-70km / 38-45 miles), 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 head out through Denchworth, cross over the bridge at Southmoor and then through Bablock Hythe and Stanton Harcourt before looping up the edge of Witney and then returning to Aston for a cafe stop. (Change to original planned stop as Cogges isn't open until March). We'll then return home by the usual route through Buckland and Charney before returning to Grove. 61.8km/38.5miles.
Riders: Andy Pixton Chris Bailey Eddie Little Jane John Jenny Gower Jo Little John Groves John Tranter Katherine Boyce Lisa Footner Richard Saunders Robin Tucker Roger Postbeschild Sharon Bedford Terry Penn Riders = 15 Weather: Report: 15 of us met up on a sunny and quite warm, but very windy day. The scenery was lovely and at times it felt like spring had come early. It turned out to be a ride full of incidents. We split into two groups and set off but group 1 had a puncture before we'd even got to Southmoor. We waved to group 2 as they cycled past. Ten miles further on group 2 stopped for a puncture and said hello as we overtook them. Unluckily they had another puncture soon after the first one, which led to them splitting into two groups with the puncture group planning on cutting off part of the ride. Amazingly we all met up at Aston Pottery for a welcome break. By then we were running rather late, so afternoon commitments meant we split into different groups on our way home. It seemed to be an enjoyable ride for everyone, despite the mishaps, and great company. Thank you very much to Robin for stepping in to lead the second group; to Andy and Eddie for sweeping; to Kath for her help and advice and to Roger for testing out Great Brook to see if it was cyclable. Good news - it is! Also Happy Birthday to Jenny.
Distance: 61.80 km (38.40 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31702248
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31702248"
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Sun Feb 2nd 2020

Sunday Shortie 2*	2*

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Sunday Shortie 2 hours at a riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). Not likely to be hilly. A standard ride to Southmoor and back, but as we start at the Market Place, thought we'd head out through the Letcombes first. Holborn Hill the only lump on an otherwise flat ride of 37km/23 miles. Optional coffee stop back in Wantage for those who have time.
Riders: Adam Cavendish Clare Hazell David Jackson Des Higgs Diana Whidborne James Bosley Karen Townsin Matthew Luker Patrick O'Leary Paul Bentley Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 12 Weather: Report: Better weather than forecast earlier in the week, but boy what a wind. It was a lovely swoop down New Road when it was finally behind us though. A very standard route with happily no incidents. Welcome to Matt, joining us for the first time and back out cycling after a break of 12 years. Hope the saddle sores wear off soon Thanks to Roger for sweeping, to Paul for taking the wind for me around the Letcombes and to everyone else for your company and stalwart battling. Now for the rugby .... come on England
Distance: 37.00 km (22.99 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/44318657
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31820145"
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Tue Feb 4th 2020

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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.
Riders: David Brown Michael Zywko Robin Tucker Steve Legate Riders = 4 Report: Cold, dark and the Ridgeway! Classic
Distance: 25.75 km (16.00 mi)
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Wed Feb 5th 2020

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Des Higgs Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Riders = 7 Report: A select group tonight for a series of intervals to work on leg speed after the hill climbing of the last few weeks. Good work all and some excellent team quizzing
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Thu Feb 6th 2020

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Diana Whidborne	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. This is the ride i had planned a couple of weeks ago which we had to abandon because of flooded roads, so we will head out through the Letcombes stopping for coffee at Childrey, on to westcot Kingston Lisle, Baulking and home.
Riders: Adam Cavendish Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves Karl Blake Lizzie Long Lorna Swanton Martyn Wigmore Matthew Luker Mavis Rose Patrick O'Leary Paul Bentley Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Susan Holdroyd Riders = 17 Report: A lovely sunny spring day 17 of us departed from Grove to the Letcombes, a ride that we had to postponed a couple of weeks earlier due to flooding. We stopped briefly at Letcombe to admire the snow drops, at that point Steph took half of the group on to the Childrey store to start on the coffee break and warn the stores that there was more to come. After the break we carried on through Wescot, Kingston Lisle, Goosey and home. A very enjoyable day. Thank you to David for sweeping.
Distance: 35.41 km (22.00 mi)
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Sat Feb 8th 2020

2* Saturday Half Day Ride - OXFORD SPECIAL	2*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), 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. This is a 2* ride that has pretty much everything! We head out via Charney Bassett and discover the nifty Southmoor footbridge - the safest way to cross the A420. Then we follow the quiet road parallel to the A420 all the way to Cumnor and swoop down Cumnor Hill to the edge of Oxford. From there we utilise a a super cunning bike-safe transit of the A420/A34 Botley junction to head north for a lovely circuit around Port Meadow before heading back into town via Wolvercote to my very own St Cross College for a VIP coffee stop. You can only get in if you are a friend of the Bursar, with catering from the fine cafes of St Giles. Then there is more fun with my most cunning bike track and riverside route out of town to the west, before the climb back up Cumnor Hill. We head for home via Fyfield. At just over 40 miles, it is a long ride for a morning, but we have a few short cut options in the final section which we can use if necessary. I expect to be back at around 2pm. Having said that, there are very few hills and we will stick to a steady 2* pace.
Riders: Chris Gray Des Higgs Diana Whidborne Eddie Little Jane John John Tranter Karl Blake LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Lizzie Long Lorna Swanton Martin Casey Michael Tayler Pauline Casey Roger Postbeschild Sally Bensoussis Steve Swanton Riders = 17 Weather: Report: A very big group for this one - partly everyone keen to get out before the apocalypse arrives tomorrow! Steve S kindly took on leading a separate group 2. All went well, and the cunning cut throughs and tracks were as enjoyable as ever, as was the VIP coffee stop and the catering from Greens and Taylors cafes. The relative absence of tourists compared to the summer months meant we had a slightly less frantic struggle through the centre of town and the riverside paths back to Botley were as nice and peaceful as ever. A bit of a nagging headwind as we headed home, so congratulations to everyone for coping well with a long ride!
Distance: 67.59 km (42.00 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/44524698
coffee stop at St Cross College 2* ride crossing the river in Oxford
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27548344"
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Sun Feb 9th 2020

Sunday Shortie 3* RIDE CANCELLED!!	3*

Leader:	Start Time: 10:00 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: Sunday Shortie 2 hours at a riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph).
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Tue Feb 11th 2020

RIDE CANCELLED - Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - Cancelled due to too much wind and too few riders. - 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.
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Wed Feb 12th 2020

Turbo Training

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Des Higgs Jane John John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Katherine Boyce LeeAnn Norris Lisa Footner Yvonne Bird Riders = 10 Report: A mix of climbs and sprints punctuated with a series of tracks for the back row boys. John was way out in front getting most of the artists, the only one missed was Georgie Fameâ€™s rendition of Barefootinâ€™. Well done all!
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Thu Feb 13th 2020

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Carin Tranter	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. Ride to Ardington, but first out to Denchworth, Challow and Childrey, back through Wantage and out to Ardington. Coffee stop at the Grocer Chef and return via Lains Barn. About 17 miles.
Riders: Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne John Groves Karl Blake Martyn Wigmore Mavis Rose Roger Postbeschild Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Despite threatening weather to begin with, the sun did come out and we didn't get wet. From the early morning rain there was plenty of puddles (and mud ) about! We lost John for a while as he went via the roads rather than risk the tracks, but we met up again at the end of the track from Wantage Nelson pub to Lockinge. We arrived at the Grocer Chef in Ardington on time and most of us returned via Lains Barn. David and Martyn went straight back to Wantage along the track.
Distance: 27.36 km (17.00 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31895872"
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Sat Feb 15th 2020

RIDE CANCELLED - 1* Saturday Half Day Ride	1*

Leader: Steve Boreham	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - Sadly, due to the severe weather forecast, have had to call it off. Would not really be safe, and certainly no fun at all! See you next time Steve B. 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. Was to be West v East, but to avoid similarity with Thursday daytime ride, have amended to the route below. We will head out via Denchworth, then on to Charney Bassett, Gainfield, and up to Buckland, before a short stretch on the path by the A420, then down via Hatford to Stanford Coffee Shop (formerly The Huddle) for refreshments. Then return home via Park Lane and Denchworth. Total of about 20 miles. Lights advised for last stretch home. If weather is iffy we can always trim the distance and miss out the Buckland loop.
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Sun Feb 16th 2020

RIDE CANCELLED - Regular Wantage Ride	3*

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - The forecast is still pretty horrible so sadly no ride this weekend. Stay warm and dry instead! - All-day touring ride (80-100km / 50-65 miles), 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. The plan is to head out across the vale towards Shrivenham and then southwards to climb Ashbury Hill. After a pause to catch our breath weâ€™ll head down into Lambourn for a tea stop and then return via Seven Barrows and Kingston Lisle. NB given we are expecting further storms this weekend, I will make a decision whether to cancel or not on Friday evening. Please check this website and or Facebook for the latest.
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Tue Feb 18th 2020

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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.
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Wed Feb 19th 2020

Turbo Training

Leader: Jane John	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Des Higgs Jane John John Hibberd Karl Blake Katherine Boyce Riders = 5 Report: A small select group enjoyed slogging up some hills and sprinting without any mud or wind!
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Thu Feb 20th 2020

Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Martyn Wigmore	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. A ride out to Chilton Garden Centre via Charlton and back via Lains Barn. Update. The weather this morning is not looking good and there are floods between Lockinge and Betterton so for anyone brave enough to want to ride we will do a circuit or two around Grove before coffee at the Cornerstone.
Riders: David Bridge Des Higgs Martyn Wigmore Mavis Rose Patrick O'Leary Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 6 Report: Six brave souls ventured out in the wind and rain to complete a 10 mile urban safari.
Distance: 16.09 km (10.00 mi)
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Sat Feb 22nd 2020

2* Saturday Half Day Ride	2*

Leader: Eddie Little	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: Half day ride (45-55km / 30-40 miles), 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. As the weather is a little unpredictable at the moment, I've planned for this ride to stay close to home, giving us a little shelter from the wind, making use of the fantastic villages we have on our doorstep! We'll head out through West Challow, passing through Childrey, Westcot, Ashbury, Shrivenham via Stainswick Ln, passing a nice section of the Wilts & Berks Canal. Then on through to Longcot, Hatford, arriving in Stanford in the Vale for our much earned elevenses! Once we are all refreshed, we'll head for home via Goosey, arriving back in Grove for around 13:30hrs. Ride distance, 31.9ml/ 51km/ Hope to see you on the ride, Ed.
Riders: Des Higgs Eddie Little John Tranter Karl Blake Malcolm Heavens Riders = 5 Weather: Report: Well, what can I say. A ride which consisted of blustery conditions, cloudy sun, rain, an exploding chain & derailleur. Followed by hot drinks & bacon, sausage & egg butties. What more could you ask for on a ride.
Distance: 51.34 km (31.90 mi)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31960829"
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Sat Feb 22nd 2020

Annual Club Dinner

Leader: Stephanie Haddrell	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: The Extraordinary Hare, West Hendred, OX12 8RH
Description: The annual club dinner social event, details as follows: venue: the Extraordinary Hare pub on the A417 at West Hendred. Post code is OX12 8RH. date: Saturday 22nd February 2020. time: 7 for 7.30pm. See the blog page or recent Chairman's newsletter email for the menu details. Please contact me to confirm your attendance and to give your menu choices: s.haddrell@hotmail.com. The deadline for this is SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY. Payment of a Â£10 deposit per person will secure your place. Please make the payments to the club bank account (with your name in the description box): Sort code: 20-90-91 Account number: 23556050
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Sun Feb 23rd 2020

Sunday Shortie 3*	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 1:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
Description: Sunday Shortie 2 hours at a riding pace of 20-24km/h (13-15mph). May be hilly. PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO TOMORROW MORNINGS WEATHER FORECAST THIS IS NOW AN AFTERNOON RIDE START IN WANTAGE MARKET PLACE AT 1.30pm A short hilly ride finishing with the glorious swop that is Chain Hill . Slightly shorter than normal as I am slow up hills . Plenty of ways to shorten if needed.
Riders: Clare Hazell John Groves Joy Arthur Katherine Boyce Sharon Bedford Yvonne Bird Riders = 6 Weather: Report: We were all grateful that we had waited until the afternoon for our ride. However with the wind still strong and reports of how difficult the wind was on the hill by Challow Cricket Club, we decided to stay flat. The head wind was interesting and I was very grateful to others taking the lead as we battled our way via West Hanney to Southmoor. The road to Charney was a joy before once again fighting the wind to Gainfield. There was little respite as we cycled towards Fernham. The payback was a joyful ride back via Baulking and Goosey, wind what wind . A few of us finished in costa, where the only cake had was definitely not worth the calories A great group that all worked together, kept an eye out for each other and appreciated getting out on our bikes.
Distance: 49.50 km (30.76 mi)	Ride Details: https://www.strava.com/activities/3125932513
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31986158"
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Mon Feb 24th 2020

Ride Leaders Meeting

Leader: Jon Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 2020â€™s first Ride Leaders meeting to plan and prepare for the forthcoming season. Please bring your diary and or calendar so you can choose the rides you want to lead this year.
Riders: Andy Pixton Carin Tranter David Bridge Des Higgs Diana Whidborne Eddie Little Gareth Smith Jane John Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Lorna Swanton Martin Casey Richard Pethybridge Roger Postbeschild Stephanie Haddrell Steve Swanton Yvonne Bird Riders = 20 Report:
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Tue Feb 25th 2020

Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride	2*

Leader: David Yearley	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: WMP
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.
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Wed Feb 26th 2020

Turbo Training

Leader: Karen Townsin	Start Time: 7:00 pm	Start Location: Chilton Village Hall
Description: Indoor training session of 1 hour duration, comprising warm up, workout and warm down. Instructions and playlist from leader. Hall is available from 18.30 for set up. See Turbo Information under Resources tab for more details.
Riders: Des Higgs Eddie Little Jane John Jo Little John Hibberd Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Karl Blake Yvonne Bird Riders = 9 Report: Working on pedalling technique and strength today with a series of isolated leg intervals; harder than you think
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Thu Feb 27th 2020

RIDE CANCELLED - Daytime 1* Thursday Ride	1*

Leader: Des Higgs	Start Time: 10:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - - Social rides up to 24km (15 miles), usually with a cafe stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Please check website on the morning of the ride if the weather is poor as it may be cancelled or the start time changed. Route outbound via Denchworth, Lyford, Fyfield Wick and Fyfield. Coffee at Southmoor. Return via Charney Basset, Asti Stud, Denchworth and home *THIS RIDE IS CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER TODAY
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Sat Feb 29th 2020

RIDE CANCELLED - 3* Fifth Saturday Special	3*

Leader: Katherine Boyce	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: OMH
Description: RIDE CANCELLED - SORRY RIDE IS CANCELLED DUE TO THE PREDICTED 40/50 MPH WINDS FOR SATURDAY I AM KEEPING AN EYE ON THE WEATHER. It is looking like we won't get a full days ride but we will be able to do something. I will make a final decision on what we are doing Friday evening, hopefully by 8pm All-day touring ride (80-100km / 50-65 miles), 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. With more daylight and spring rapidly approaching, it's time to stretch our legs! A reasonably flat ride from Old Mill Hall in Grove, out via Stadhampton, the quiet back roads through Aston to Bampton and Clanfield where we'll take one of my favourite quiet roads through to emerge fully into the Cotswolds and make our way to Colyn St Aldwyns for lunch at their community cafÃƒï¿œÃ¯Â¿Å“Ãƒï¿œÃ‚Â© (fairly basic but hot drinks and paninis) before dropping down to Lechlade. A climb to Coleshill before dropping down to Shrivenham and a return to Grove via Uffington. This is not a hilly ride (less than 500 metres of climbing) but it does have hills. There are a few places we can detour to for a coffee stop in the morning or afternoon should the group wish to.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31901787"
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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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