- Starts: Sunday 1 May 2016 9:30 am
- Ride leader/Event organiser: Andy Henderson
- Category: Cathedral challenge rides
- Terrain: E - Flat
- Ride to elevenses grade: E - Flat
- A - Severe. Route has extreme elevation change, with both short and longer sustained climbs (e.g. Duncton Hill).
- B - Very hilly. Route has major elevation change, with longer sustained climbs (e.g. Harting Hill from the south).
- C - Hilly. Route is undulating with a number of short climbs involved (e.g. Havant to Bishop's Waltham).
- D - Gentle. Route has minor elevation change on gentle slopes (e.g. south coast cycle route to Chichester).
- E - Flat. Route has little or no elevation change (e.g. Portsea Island).
Our grading scheme
When grading routes we use the following scheme:
Start and stops
Ride start/event venue | The Spring Centre, Havant East Street Havant P09 1BS More details and map |
Coffee stop | The Tenth Hole Eastern Parade Southsea PO4 9RF More details and map |
All rides return to the start unless stated otherwise. Use the 'Map' link below to see a map of all locations
Contact us about this event
Send an email to ride leader/event organiser: Andy Henderson.
Map
The Bronze challenge is a ride from Havant to Portsmouth - via Portsmouth Cathedral - and back.
We'll go out via Farlington Marshes and Hilsea Lines to Hilsea Lido, then down the West side of Portsea Island, round Portsmouth to Southsea and our coffee stop: The Tenth Hole.
We'll then continue along the promenade, back up Eastern Road via St James Hospital and the return through Farlington Marshes again.
It's a flat route about 6 miles longer than Bronze 2 and Bronze 3.
Ride leader notes
I ride an assistance e-bike which allows me to do most hills. I have a range extender that allows me to do 80-90 hilly miles or further for flatter rides.
My maximum comfortable speed on the flat without wind is 13mph at the start of a ride. I find, however, I can manage faster speeds after a few hours of riding. I struggle with balance when riding speeds lower than around 7mph.
Otherwise, I don't mind about pace when leading or joining rides. I'm out to enjoy the ride and speed is not part of that for me.
I get the biggest kick out of supporting new riders when they find out they can achieve much more than they thought.
About Cathedral Challenge rides
We're running a series of rides for people who are:
- New to group cycling
- Haven’t cycled for a while
- Want to cycle a bit further than usual
They start with a short, 'get to know you' ride that includes a free bike check and progress through longer distances, tackling a series of challenges on the way:
- Bronze: Havant to Portsmouth cathedral and back
- Silver: Chichester cathedral and back
- Gold: Winchester cathedral and back
There's more detail and a registration form here.
Note that the Cathedral rides are subject to change and adaptation as we learn more about the challenge riders.