ROUTE PROFILES

This section of the website gives guidance to club members about cycling routes commonly used by the club. The section is split into route types: Training Routes, Time Trial route, Club Runs & Mass start racing routes.

Training routes.

Bashes

The Bash is our name for the clubs traditional Chain Gang. The ride starts at a moderate pace and after about an hour morphes into a chain gang, two lines of cyclists rotating with each taking their turn at the front of the line of cyclists. Average speeds for the bash vary between 18 and 22 mph for the routes depending on time of year, number of riders and weather.

How do I know that I am good enough to ride on the bash?
Really the only way to tell is to turn up and have a go. An ability to ride “on a wheel” is essential however before riding on the bash, as the speed rises towards the end of the ride you will need a rest in the wind shadow of the group you can only get this on the wheel of the rider in front. As far as the speed goes, if you can easily maintain the pace of a Sunday club run then you will be fine on the bash but be warned this is a training ride so the workload is much higher.

Why should I go on the Bash?
The idea of the bash is to build on the endurance training that you will get from the club runs. At a slightly higher pace you will get a good quality cardiovascular workout and with the group of riders you will get some speed into you legs.

Where does the bash go?

Saturday
The bash goes every Saturday from the Greenway carpark, we leave at 10.00. The Saturday route is always the same and allows for a couple of short cuts for those who are not quite up to the full route at the pace of the day. The route goes out of town on the Loxley Road then up to Wellsbourne out to Charlecote then over the A46 at Sherbourne (just west of the Long Bridge Island). Up into Norton Lindsey (short cut here – Straight on to Langley) then to Langley Hill Via A4189 and Saddlebow Lane. Follow the road down the Langley Hill To cross the A3400 at Bearley Cross.
Follow here to Little Alne (turn off back to SoA for short route - 27miles) then Shelfield until the Spernall Road, turn right towards Great Alne and back to Stratford via Billesley, Binton and Luddington. Total 35 miles, average speed 17mph to 19 mph, (slower in the winter).

Tuesday Evening
The route for this alternates and the Tuesday bash only runs during British Summer Time, during the spring and Autumn lights are a wise precaution as the bash gets back at dusk. Both routes meet in the Greenway carpark and depart at 1800 (during the height of summer this can slip to 1830).

Route 1- Evesham Bypass
Leave town via Luddington lane. Cross the river into Wellford-on-Avon and continue into Long Marston. Turn right by Long marston church then first left to Pebworth, stay on this road through Pebworth towards the Littletons (cross Buckle Street). Go through the Littletons to Badsey and turn left past the shops, follow this road until the Evesham bypass. Follow the Evesham by-pass towards Cheltenham (short cut here along A44 to Broadway). Take the first Left of the A46 after the bypass ends and follow this road into Broadway. Follow the B4632 (old A46) back to Stratford. Distance 42 miles average speed 18 – 22 mph.