A chilly Sunday morning didn’t stop 160 cyclists from taking part in Southend Wheelers Spring Cycle Ride. Riders had the choice of 25, 40, and 60-mile routes, catering for various abilities and fitness levels with the longer route ideal for those preparing for the upcoming summer racing season.
Route Highlights
25-Mile Course
40 riders set off in a clockwise direction to tackle the 25-mile course via Bicknacre, Purleigh, Mundon, Latchingdon and Mayland, returning via Cold Norton, Stow Maries, Woodham Ferrers to finish in East Hanningfield.
40-Mile Course
The 40-mile route attracted the largest number of participants with 67 riders. Descending out of East Hanningfield riders were shortly making their way up to West Hanningfield onto Great Baddow before climbing over Danbury and descending through Cock Clarks. Riders were soon to enjoy the flatter roads through Cold Norton, Latchingdon, and Althorne before looping back via Mayland, Purleigh, and Stow Maries, assisted with a tail wind before the final climb through Bicknacre to East Hanningfield.
60-Mile Course
The longest and most demanding course saw 53 riders take on an anti-clockwise, more traditional route. The riders headed out through Cold Norton, Latchingdon, and Burnham-on-Crouch, reaching the furthest point at Tillingham. The return leg took them back through Latchingdon before heading north through Purleigh and Woodham Walter to Hatfield Peverel. The toughest climb up North Hill, Little Baddow followed, before descending through Sandon, on to West Hanningfield and South Hanningfield before the final climb back to East Hanningfield.
All participants were rewarded with a free hot drink and cake for their efforts, helping to raise fund that will be donated to Essex Air Ambulance.
Southend Wheelers extend their thanks to J Gard & Sons Ltd for providing parking, everyone who took part, and to the Wheelers’ event team and volunteers for managing sign-on and serving refreshments.
Success* starts here
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*Success means different things to different riders—joining your first club run, competing in an event, conquering an off-road challenge, finishing your first charity ride to standing on the podium.
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