- Starts: Saturday 18 June 2016 9:15 am
- Ride leader/Event organiser: Andy Henderson
- Category: Cathedral challenge rides
- Terrain: C - Hilly
- Ride to elevenses grade: C - Hilly
Start and stops
| Ride start/event venue | The Spring Centre, Havant East Street Havant P09 1BS More details and map |
| Coffee stop | Silversprings Fontley Road Titchfield PO15 6QX More details and map |
| Lunch/dinner stop | Bayside Cabin Stokes Bay Road Alverstoke PO12 2QT 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
This ride will be in the same format as our usual Saturday day rides, although the distance is more typical of a winter ride when we try to finish in time to allow riders to get home before sunset. Note that we will start at 9.15 - this will also be the main Portsmouth CTC ride for the day.
We'll start with a relatively easy (compared to last week, at least) run up Portsdown Hill followed by nice descent towards Southwick. We'll then go via Boarhunt and Knowle to Fontley where we'll stop at Silversprings for cakes and stuff. From there it's a pretty flat route all the way home. We'll go via Titchfield, the Meon Valley, Lee-on-the-Solent to Stokes Bay and a lunch stop at the Bayside Cabin. We'll then continue to Gosport and across the Gosport ferry (bikes currently go free) into Portsmouth, through Southsea and back to Havant via Eastern Road and Farlington Marshes.
Total distance around 40 miles.
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.