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Windermere Rides

The Sunday Ride

Start time: Sundays at 8:12AM
Start location: Parking Lot at corner of 535 and Lake Butler Blvd
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 drop the 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, from there they will take one of several alternate routes. One of the most popular routes is the now famous Groveland Loop. The Groveland Route ends up with about 55 miles (with several options to add more miles). It's mostly flat, and very fast.

Whether you are a beginner rider or an experienced racer, the Sunday ride has something for you.


The Wednesday Ride

Start time: Wednesdays at 6:00PM
Start location: Parking Lot at corner of 535 and Lake Butler Blvd
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at speeds of no less than 25mph

The Windy Wednesday Ride is one 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!

PLEASE NOTE: This ride only takes place during the Daylight Savings Time months, from March - November. During the winter months (Nov - Mar), the ride temporarily relocates to the Orlando Airport.


The Thursday Ride

Start time: Thursdays at 6:00PM
Start location: Parking Lot at corner of 535 and Lake Butler Blvd
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at a recovery pace

The Thursday ride covers the same route (The Fruit Loop) 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.

PLEASE NOTE: This ride only takes place during the Daylight Savings Time months, from March - November. During the winter months (Nov - Mar), the ride temporarily relocates to the Orlando Airport.


The Saturday Ride

Start time: Saturdays at 8:00AM
Start location: Parking Lot at corner of 535 and Lake Butler Blvd
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 most other rides (average around 10-15 riders). Usually Saturday is a good training day to get in long base miles or hill training.

Other Popular Rides

The Lakemonte Saturday Ride

Start time: Saturdays at 7:30AM
Start location: Lakemonte Elementary School
Distance and pace: coming soon

Ride description coming soon


The Errol Estates Saturday Ride

Start time: Saturdays at 7:30AM
Start location: Apopka Elementary School
Distance and pace: coming soon

Ride description coming soon


The UCF Wednesday Ride

Start time: Wednesdays at 6:00PM
Start location: UCF Research Parkway
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at a recovery pace

Like it's sister ride, the UCF Wednesday Ride is also a very fast and hard ride. This is not a ride for the faint of heart. And definitely not a ride for beginners. The course is flat, but the speeds at very high.

PLEASE NOTE: This ride only takes place during the Daylight Savings Time months, from March - November. During the winter months (Nov - Mar), the ride temporarily relocates to the Orlando Airport.


The Airport Wednesday Ride

Start time: Wednesdays at 6:00PM
Start location: Orlando Airport
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at speeds of no less than 25mph

Taking the place of the Windermere & UCF Wednesday rides during the winter months, the Airport Wednesday Ride is a very, very fast and hard ride. This is also not a ride for the faint of heart. And definitely not a ride for beginners. The course at the airport is flat as a pancake, which makes the ride incredibly fast. There is always a strong crosswind out there which makes for some serious carnage of the peloton. In this ride you will find some on Central Florida's fastest cyclists. Like both the Windermere and UCF Wednesday rides, this ride is pure pain and misery for over 45 miles. Be sure to bring your front and rear safety lights!

PLEASE NOTE: This ride only takes place during the winter months from November to March.


The Airport Thursday Ride

Start time: Thursdays at 6:00PM
Start location: Orlando Airport
Distance and pace: Distance varies. Pace is appropriate for riders of all levels.

The Airport Thursday ride is a more relaxed ride than the previous day's ride. Somewhat of a 'recovery' ride. It's a great ride for riders of all skill levels.

PLEASE NOTE: This ride only takes place during the winter months from November to March.

Please be sure to also check out Hal Downing's awesome weekly newsletter covering all of Central Florida's upcoming rides, events, news and happenings.

There are several more rides around the area hosted by some of the other Central Florida Cycling Clubs. Make sure you visit their websites to find out more.