Windermere Weekly Rides – Orlando Group Ride
The Windermere Sunday Ride
Start time: 8:10am
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: Varies, depending on what group you end up with.
One of the most popular rides in Florida, the Windermere Sunday Ride is a staple of Central Florida Cycling. The first 6 miles of the ride are usually very nice and social but, at the turn at Marsh Rd, the racers open hammer. Marsh Rd is always very fast and it’s usually where the group will break up into several packs of different skilled riders. About 1 mile before US27, the racers will turn right at Hancock Rd en route to their brutal hill workout of approximately 75 miles. Most of the rest of the groups will continue on to US27 and on to do their own rides. One of the most popular routes is the now famous Groveland Loop. A flat and very fast ride for those not too crazy about the hills.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced racer, the Sunday ride has something for you.
The Windermere Wednesday Ride
Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at speeds of no less than 25mph
The Windy Wednesday Ride is on of the fastest and hardest rides of the week. This is not a ride for the faint of heart. And definitely not a ride for beginners. This is a ride for those who think they have what it takes to hang with the big dogs. The ride is an all-for-none hammerfest of pure pain and misery over 45 miles of what we call The Fruit Loop. So if you have the legs, lungs and guts, come on out for some fast fun!
The Windermere Thursday Ride
Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at a recovery pace
The Thursday ride covers the same route as the Wednesday ride, but at much more relaxed speeds. The group likes to call it a ‘recovery’ ride. Most of the group stays together and tries to adhere to a ‘no drop’ rule. It’s a perfect ride for anyone looking to get a great mid-week workout in. As of late, this has become one of the biggest rides out of Windermere (next to Sunday of course).
The Windermere Saturday Ride
Start time: 8:00am
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: 55-75 miles at an average of about 20-22mph
The route and speed of the Saturday rides varies, depending on who shows up. It’s a much smaller group than on Sundays. Usually Saturday is a good training day to get in long base miles or hill training.