Oxford Rapha Women's 100
Rapha's annual Women's 100 is a global celebration of the collective spirit among riders across the world, coming together and riding 100 km on the same day. And so on 15th September, 21 women from around Oxford set out from the Radcliffe Camera on a 100 km loop.
Heading out via North Oxford, the group cycled via Hampton Poyle and Kirtlington, and as far north as Sulgrave, before looping down through Fringford for a coffee stop at the Rapha store in Bicester Village,
The ride was led by Rapha ambassadors and VCJ members, Ruth Horn and Benedict Campbell. The group included women from various clubs, as well as individual riders who do not ride in a club. For two of them, this was their very first 100 km ride.
It was a relaxed social ride, and an opportunity to get to know other women riders in Oxford, and exchange ideas, including best routes around Oxfordshire and elsewhere.
One of riders, a VCJ member, was inspired by the ride. She said, "There were women from a wide range of ages and very different backgrounds and abilities. It was a truly empowering feeling to see that there are women in Oxford who love cycling, No one felt out of place. We all agreed that we should ride together more often than once a year!"
Photo credit: Benedict Campbell