EL OASIS, Journey to the Country of Paths
style - mtb - ALL MOUNTAIN
NEW SELF-GUIDED MTB ROUTE IN TIERRA ESTELLA - NAVARRA
3 to 7 Stages
EL OASIS is an All Mountain route in stages located almost entirely in the Tierra Estella region of Navarra.
The geographical characteristics of this region, which extends from the Ebro in the South to the Sierras de Urbasa and Andia in the North, generate a diversity of environments that is clearly reflected in the different environments of the stages of the route.
In terms of structure of stages, we can "visualize" the proposal by imagining a triangle whose vertices are; Estella, Zudaire and Puente La Reina. Between these vertices, 3 online stages are developed (B, E and G).
A circle at each vertex of the aforementioned triangle, provides the system with another 3 circular stages (A, C and H) that we can decide whether or not to include in our trip, and which grant a flexibility of between 3 and 7 stages to the proposal. And we say 7 and not 6 because the aforementioned geographical diversity means that in Las Améskoas (Zudaire) we can pedal 2 stages of a well-differentiated nature, that is; that in that vertex of the triangle we have 2 circles instead of only one.
The PIRINEOS PUNTO BIKE proposal to pedal the route is in broad strokes, a Self Guided Pack which includes the Half Board Accommodations, the Tracks of the route and the Luggage Transport from hotel to hotel.
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What is EL OASIS?
The simplest way we can think of to communicate what EL OASIS is in geographical terms is to say that it is the transition territory between the westernmost extreme of the Pyrenees and La Rioja.
Since we must specify more, we will say that this area is largely occupied by the Navarrese region known as Tierra Estella.
We are talking about a region of dimensions large enough to generate an important duality in terms of climate, environment and vegetation. To the South, the Ebro and the basins of its tributaries host crops and scrubland -some not so low-, we are talking about the Zona Media of Navarra. In the North, however, the Lokiz, Urbasa and Andia ranges give rise to a clearly mountainous territory "saturated" with beech forests, holm oaks and pastoral meadows. A territory that, qualifying more, comes to be the continuation of the Pyrenees and its connection with the Sierra de Cantabria.
It is worth adding that the latter, which seen on a map is a long spine that goes without hesitation from Navarra to the North of Burgos -completely framing La Rioja in its path to the north- is likewise the connection of the PYRENEES with the Cantabrian Mountains and the PICOS DE EUROPA.
As for what our wheels are going to find, we can refer to the tag that we have put in the name of the route
- Journey to the Country of Paths -
Entering Tierra Estella is entering a land of high cycling tradition. To the professional reference of the Indurain Grand Prix which has been held on its roads since 1951, a popular test called Tierra Estella Epic has been added, which in its MTB version (also held for gravel bikes) meanders along the roads of the central zone of what for us is EL OASIS.
In the style of the classics of The Netherlands, in which the organizers value (almost with first and last name) the different sections of pavés or the different slopes that, well chained, generate a profile with the perfect image of a saw, in Tierra Estella Epic the valued sequence is that of the singletraks that follow one another along the route with a regularity that can only be maintained due to the simple fact of their abundance.
In some of the areas through which EL OASIS passes, other initiatives are also active, sometimes public and other times by small groups of local bikers, almost even personal, in which the paths are worked so that our wheels can pass through them well. This is the case of Montejurra Bizi (stages C and D), Etxabarri Land (stage B), Antzin Enduro (stages C and D) o Sendas de Artajona (stage H).
Pretty summed up, this is it. If you decide to come... Welcome to
EL OASIS Journey to the Country of Paths
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The lines on this map are just one of many options. Unlike the usual stage routes, EL OASIS has a less strict and defined itinerary, since the geography here is quite generous and this allows the routes to be adapted to the level and cycling style of the participants.
In these tabs you can see the profiles of the stages and a brief explanation about the nature of each of them. This will allow you to have references to be able to decide which stages to include in your trip.
- The Route
- Stage A
- Stage B
- Stage C
- Stage E
- Stage H
- Stage G
- Stage D
Stage A: Circular Estella
Distance: 48 km Unevenness: 1.155 m
Stage B: Estella - Zudaire
Distance: 47 km Unevenness: 1.645 m
Stage C: Circular Zudaire
Distance: 65 km Unevenness: 1.105 m
Stage E: Zudaire - Puente La Reina
Distance: 58 km Unevenness: 1.440 m
Stage H: Circular Puente La Reina
Distance: 52 km Unevenness: 1.075 m
Stage G: Puente La Reina - Estella
Distance: 52 km Unevenness: 1.130 m
Stage D: Zudaire - Estella
Distance: 55 km Unevenness: 1.390 m
The route of 6 stages, A + B + C + E + H + G -3 circular and 3 point to point- at full:
Distance: 322 km Unevenness: 7.550 m
The route of 6 stages, A + B + C + D -2 circular and 2 point to point- at full:
Distance: 208 km Unevenness: 5.035 m
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Stage A: Circular Estella
Distance: 48 km Unevenness: 1.155 m
Montejurra Singletracks
Beginning and ending in Estella, the capital of the Tierra Estella region, stage A has as its almost unique axis the Montaña de Montejurra.
The area has been reinforced as it is by the Montejurra Bizi, MTB project, with structured routes along all the slopes of the mountain, and with the double guarantee, in addition to being its trails repeatedly included in the route of the popular MTB event called Tierra Estella Epic, selecting the stage as the first route of the Pack is something that will not disappoint anyone.
North slope of Montejurra, spectacular playing territory for MTB.
Biker "flying" towards the end of the route in Estella.
La Ballena singletrack. Tierra Estella Epic-2021.
Iratxe Monastery and its vineyards at the foot of the Montejurra mountain.
The almost 6 kilometers of path in the upper part of Montejurra, which we have decided to call SuperFlow, lead to more easy sections in the lower part of the mountain.
Autumn vineyards -from Bodegas Quaderna Vía- in Iguzkiza, under the top of the Mojardin Castle.
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Stage B: Estella - Zudaire
Distance: 47 km Unevenness: 1.645 m
Etxabarri Land
We could say that stage B is the one that communicates the Llano with the Mountain, that is; the City of Ega with Las Améskoas.
The work of the bikers in the area and the design of singletracks in the Peñas de Etxabarri and its surroundings -in the central part of the stage- give the whole the character that we usually look for on this type of route.
Altikogaina walls, pitch for the first kilometers of the day.
MTB School and Iranzu Monastery, mandatory stop before starting the day's climb.
Ascending to the Peñas de Etxabarri. The horizon is filled with the territory of stages C and D, the Lokiz Range and its unknown network of trails.
Rounded top of Larraiza, beginning of descent to Las Améskoas.
End of day in any autumn in the Etxabarri Mountains, the epicenter of stage B.
Bikers in action on the singletracks of Tierra Estella Epic-2021 on the banks of the Urederra.
Zudaire, end of stage at the foot of the Urbasa Range.
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Stage C: Circular Zudaire
Distance: 65 km Unevenness: 1.105 m
Urbasa and/or Lokiz Ranges
In this stage C, we will have to choose between 2 environments. -Unless we extend the proposal another day and carry out the 2 circular stages available from Zudaire-
If we prefer meadows, beeches and holm oaks, the option is Urbasa Range.
If we prefer Singletracks, the option, without a doubt, is Lokiz Range.
The first of the options runs through the well-known Urbasa Range, one of the most important Natural Parks in Navarra. As can be seen in the profile, except for the demanding walls at the start and end of the stage, the route has hardly any significant unevenness and the rolling is fast.
The second option, Lokiz Range, has a wilder environment and runs through more solitary territory and in a certain sense more "mtb". The long descent, combining the Tartalo - New Zeland trails of the Antzin Enduro MTB Center, is the main landmark of the route. The kilometers are less than in the Urbasa option, but the riding is more technical and therefore slower.
Sometimes the weather may decide or at least help us in the choice, since it is relatively frequent that to the North (Urbasa) the clouds are "disturbing" and to the South the sky looks clearer.
Zudaire, end of stage at the foot of the Urbasa Range.
Camps designed for our bicycles in the upper part of the Sierra.
Legaire dolmen in the open fields of the same name.
In Urbasa the cattle are well accustomed to the bikers. We are in one of the most visited Natural Parks in Navarra.
In the far North of the route, the Sierra collapses onto the Llanada Alavesa.
Unknown places of the Sierra de Urbasa, places of EL OASIS
The Lokiz Range option of the track, enters a territory of a more "wild" nature.
Hermitage of Santiago de Lokiz at the top of the mountains.
The cliffs of the Lokiz Range collapse over the Lana Valley.
End of day at our PUNTO BIKE in Zudaire
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Stage E: Zudaire - Puente La Reina
Distance: 58 km Unevenness: 1.440 m
Iranzu Lands
With the exception of the vicinity of the start and end points of the route, the rest of the kilometers of the stage pass through the Iranzu Lands, a Navarrese region that leads to the West of the Pamplona Basin.
If stage B was the one that connected the Llano with the Mountain, stage E is simply its inverse.
The first half is "Mountain" combining the Urbasa Range at the beginning and the foothills of the southern slope of Andia Range later. In the second half, from Riezu the atmosphere changes completely. We enter the Navarra of crops and scrubland and we return to "take advantage" of the local bikers and their elaborate paths that, through a complex orography, deposit us, now yes, in the "Llano" of the Cuenca del Arga in Puente La Reina.
Group of bikers approaching the "Balcón", entry point to the Urbasa Range in stage E between Zudaire and Puente La Reina.
Ubaba, commonly known as Balcón de Pilatos, is undoubtedly one of the most photographed spots in Navarra. The spectacular viewpoint over the Nacedero del Urederra and Las Améskoas region leaves no one indifferent and justifies repeat visits at different times of the year.
Cyclists on the summit edge. Better not get too close.
Autumn is over, but EL OASIS remains active. Last sections of the route through the Sierra de Urbasa.
Classic flats of the Urbasa Range in the first part of the stage. To the North, the 1,495 meters of Beriain Mountain will close off the horizon for much of the day.
Alloz Reservoir, reference in the second part of the stage.
Singletrack between a sea of rapeseed in Tierra Estella Navarra.
Medieval bridge over the Arga river. End of stage in Puente La Reina.
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Stage H: Circular Puente La Reina
Distance: 52 km Unevenness: 1.075 m
Artajona Singletracks
In an apparently insipid environment, one of the stages that justify the "tag" of the name of the route takes place; Welcome to EL OASIS, Journey to the Land of Paths.
The meritorious action of the Artajona City Council, which has considered the conservation of the paths of its municipality as a common good, regardless of the use that may be given to them, that is; as a heritage in themselves, they turn our stage H into the Artajona Singletracks stage. A look at the profile and the sequence of paths that appear in it explains it better than this text.
Cerco de Artajona on the horizon. Beneath the apparent indifference of a landscape monopolized by crops, a network of impeccable trails for MTB is hidden.
El Abuelo singletrack.
Artajona over its vineyards and its Cerco (spectacular set of medieval towers) seen from inside it.
La Majada singletrack
Ibarbero singletrack, shortly we will be in Mendigorria.
Starting from Mendigorria, the route returns in a relaxed way to Puente La Reina along the banks of the Arga River.
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Stage G: Puente La Reina - Estella
Distance: 52 km Unevenness: 1.130 m
Flying over "El Camino"
Stage G3 is the standard track option for what is usually the last stage of EL OASIS.
If stage A "Montejurra Singletracks" was not included in the selection of stages of the chosen Pack or simply if you want to force the machine a little more in this stage, the proposal is to close the triangle of EL OASIS by extending the stage with the ascent to Montejurra and finishing off the track along the paths of our "SuperFlow".
Framed between 2 important points on the Camino de Santiago, such as Puente La Reina and Estella, stage G passes through what in Navarra is known as the Zona Media.
But "we fly over El Camino" and for this we must first gain altitude ascending to the Altos de Iturtxuria and Ezkintza along their tracks and singletracks camouflaged at all times among the sparse vegetation of the area. Thus, scrubland, Aleppo pines, crops and some vineyards make up the "balcony" through which we pass from the Arga Basin in Mendigorria to the Ega Basin in the vicinity of Estella.
Stage with reminiscences of history not too distant. In a way we are in the "star" territory of the Carlist Wars, and something will be noticed.
Nostalgic Carlist flag on the fields where the Battle of Mendigorria between Carlists and Liberals took place in 1835. The wounds are not completely closed.
Bridge over the Arga in Mendigorria. The slope begins.
Once the steep slope has been ascended to "El Banderin del Corner" the route becomes "singletrack" and zizages well marked west towards the Altos de Iturtxuria (white fountain).
Cyclist "giving it all" en route to Estella -Tierra Estella Epic 2021-
Liberal" fortification Princess of Asturias with Montejurra -for some The Mountain of the Carlists- on the horizon.
At the end of what is usually the last stage of EL OASIS we will walk again La Ballena singletrack, just as we did at the beginning of the route. On the left, on the horizon, the Montejurra Mountain can be seen (stage A). On the right, the Lokiz Range (stages C and D). -Tierra Estella Epic 2021-
Fort Santa Barbara, more history on the route.
If the first day when we started EL OASIS stage A "Sendas de Montejurra" was not included in the Pack, we have the opportunity to extend this stage G and put the finishing touch to the route ending with the section of more than 6 kilometers of singletrack that runs along the upper part of the mountain and that we wanted to call "SuperFlow".
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Stage D: Zudaire - Estella
Distance: 55 km Unevenness: 1.390 m
Lokiz Range, Ancin MTB territory
When the route option of 4 stages 2xH (2 nights per hotel) is chosen, in which the accommodations are only in Estella and Zudaire, this stage D is the one used to close the proposal. (Pack stages A + B + C + D)
The geography of the route is largely in common with stage C through Lokiz Range, and as in that one, one of the main references is the long descent of the Tartalo - New Zeland trails of the Antzin Enduro MTB Center.
Ollobarren village in the Valle de Lana and at the foot of the Lokiz Range. Atmosphere of today's stage.
We enter the Lokiz Range, a territory of a "wild" character, what we would commonly call here "Deep Navarre".
Hermitage of Santiago de Lokiz at the top of the mountains.
The Lokiz Range is left behind, we are approaching the end of the route in Estella.
In the second half of the stage we return to "humanized" territory.
EL OASIS maintains the "tension" until almost the last meter before ending in Estella. The Country of Paths lives up to its name.
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And why EL OASIS?
In the year 1876, the Catalan writer Juan Mañe y Flaquer made a trip through the "Spain Northern Provinces" that he transferred to paper in the form of the book that he titled EL OASIS, Journey to the Country of Paths.
The writer justified his choice of title by the fact that at that time, despite the fact that the Fueros had already been abolished - old rights that those northern provinces had - there continued to exist in these lands certain liberties that they did not enjoy in the rest of Spain. That was his Oasis, an Oasis of freedoms.
We, "mountain bikers from the north" have rescued the title for our route. Often, when the mists and the txiri-miri (small rain) warm northern Navarra and its forests, Tierra Estella becomes an oasis where the weather is more benign for our purpose of riding a bicycle.
If we add to this the indisputable fact that the concentration of "singletracks" in the territory is clearly much higher than usual, the result is EL OASIS, "Journey to the Country of Paths".. We don't mess with Fueros. .. that the wounds, apparently, are not completely healed.
Located in the Navarrese valley of La Sakana, the Zamartze Oak (drawing from the original book) symbolizes the slow passage of history, in which, although we often do not take it into account, one day slowly follows another day, and things Ingrained people do not change easily, neither for the better nor for the worse.
Almost 150 years ago, the stone embedded in its trunk, already tilted somewhat under its weight, generated enough attention in someone to turn the vision into a drawing. Today it is still there, gradually leaning, following the same cycle of all living beings on the planet.
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- The hotels on the route
- FAQ
- Lodging for stages with start in Estella / Lizarra
- Lodging for stages with start in Zudaire
- Lodging for stages with start in Puente La Reina
Hotel Yerri
Our PUNTO BIKE in Tierra Estella is this 2 star hotel located a few meters from the historic center of "La Ciudad del Ega".
An establishment accustomed to dealing with cyclists due to the large number of events linked to 2 wheels that take place in the city.
Hotel Ibaisek
Hotel Jakue
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- Best time to go: The route can be pedaled at any time of the year except in winter unless there is no snow.
Spring and Autumn are usually the most pleasant seasons; in summer it can be hot in the stages of the southern part of the route. In any case, we have to say that the punctual weather of the days in which we are going to do the route is more important than the season itself. - Type of tracks: Almost all stages are characterized by "overdose" of trails. This makes the duration of the stages usually turn out to be longer than what the technical figures of the same can suggest.
We will have to go through some road sections due to the geographical conditions generated by the location of the hotels. - Orientation: The route must be followed with a GPS device or with the mobile phone App that you are used to using for the same purpose.
It is not advisable to try to learn how to use an App on the fly.
We do not provide Apps or GPS user manuals. It is up to the users to have this knowledge.
There is no on-site signage. - Ciclability: Depending on the technical skills and the forces of each one, the percentage will vary a lot. We must be careful if we use electric bicycles and the level of the route exceeds us, since in these conditions the bicycle becomes a significant ballast and the hours increase considerably.
- Philosophy: We make an effort in the Briefing so that the tracks that we advise you adapt to what interests you the most. If you prefer to have free time at the end of the stages we will give you shorter tracks. If you come to "give everything", do not worry, you will give it.
- Provisioning: Although sometimes we find refreshment points, depending on the time of year we can find that some establishments are closed, so in general you have to try to be self-sufficient. In the waypoints file and in the url of route services we provide the information for each stage.
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- Important -
In the rural world that our routes run through, hotel establishments are usually small. It is often difficult to book the sequence of accommodations necessary to complete a Pack, especially if the number of participants in a group is a bit high.
Booking in advance is often the key. It is not a commercial trick on our part. Many times, that reservation with enough time in advance is simply the difference between being able or not being able to reserve the Pack.
TARIFFS 2024
3 Stages / 3 Nights
3 point to point stages: B + E + G
343 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
355 € Price per person for groups of 4 or 5 people
380 € Price per person for groups of 2 or 3 people
Single room supplement: + 78 €
4 Stages / 4 Nights
1 circular and 3 point to point stages
453 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
470 € Price per person for groups of 4 or 5 people
498 € Price per person for groups of 2 or 3 people
Single room supplement: + 98 €
5 Stages / 5 Nights
2 circular and 3 point to point stages
548 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
564 € Price per person for groups of 5 people
548 € Price per person for groups of 4 people
596 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
580 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: + 132 €
6 Stages / 6 Nights
3 circular and 3 point to point stages
642 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
658 € Price per person for groups of 5 people
636 € Price per person for groups of 4 people
694 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
669 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: + 158 €
7 Stages / 7 Nights
4 circular and 3 point to point stages
744 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
764 € Price per person for groups of 5 people
738 € Price per person for groups of 4 people
802 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
770 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: + 178 €
And you can add a Night with Breakfast at the end of the route -in the same hotel where you started it- - for 31 € per person in a double room or for 53 € in a single room
In these proposals when the groups are odd, the accommodation is offered in double rooms and a single room.
- TRIPLE ROOMS ARE NEVER USED -
If you want the price of the Pack to be cheaper, perhaps we can lower the level of one of the chosen hotels. And also, if the number of participants is odd; request a triple room.
- This management is only done once the Pack has been contracted -
Rates for the whole year, subject to availability.
The prices may vary when the dates coincide with the Easter holidays or with the Patron Festivities of any of the places of accommodation.
INCLUDED
- As many nights of accommodation in Hotel as stages have the Pack
The 1st in B&B and the rest in Half board - Shower and luggage reception at the end of the last stage despite you don’t spend the night at the finalising point of the route
Transport of luggage between hotels
1 bag or package of a maximum of 20 kg per person
If not needed, the cost of this service will be deducted from the proposal- Tracks of the route in GPX format for mobile phones or GPS devices and printed map with each day routes options
- Explanatory printed map-sketch of the different route options for each stage
One per stage - Link to services that may be necessary along the route
- Telephone assistance for incidents or consultations during the days of the contracted activity
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NOT INCLUDED
- Beers or other consumptions outside the proposed menus in the dinners or during the stay in hotels
- Meals in restaurants at the time of the noon, unless it has been agreed previously to replace dinner with meals
- Any kind of sports material, helmets, shoes, etc
- Mechanical Assistance during the activity
If possible, we will try to help you in case of a breakdown, but in many situations this help can be very limited due to lack of specific spare parts or other circumstances. The cost of the service if it can be done is € 18 per hour + € 0.40 per kilometer. - Anything not expressly indicated in the offer
OPTIONS
- Airport/station pick up
We put you in contact with the transfer companies that provide these services. We do not include its cost in our proposal. - Bicycle rental
We put you in touch with a rental service in the nearest place to the route start point - Hire Asistance / Accident Insurance
and / or Trip Cancellation Insurance - Hire individual room
When the group is made up of an odd number of people, will be equally necessary an odd number of requests to access this supplement
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2 x H OPTION
TARIFFS 2024
4 Stages / 4 Nights
2 circular and 2 point to point stages
2xH +info
Arising from the problems generated by COVID-19, we label as 2xH proposals some of our routes designed to offer a more relaxed experience in logistics but with equal intensity in terms of sports.
When the geography is generous and allows interesting routes combining a circular route with an online route, we stay 2 nights in each of the hotels on the route.
This results in less hustle for both participants and hoteliers and in a lower cost of the luggage transport service and therefore of the Pack when the number of participants is low.
- Close this window - 2 nights at each hotel
When the geography is generous and allows interesting routes combining a circular route with an online route, we stay 2 nights in each of the hotels on the route.
This results in less hustle for both participants and hoteliers and in a lower cost of the luggage transport service and therefore of the Pack when the number of participants is low.
- Close this window -
Estella - Zudaire | Zudaire - Estella
422 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
442 € Price per person for groups of 5 people
426 € Price per person for groups of 4 people
462 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
444 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: + 98 €
When the group is made up of an odd number of people, will be equally necessary an odd number of requests to access this supplement
3 Stages / 3 Nights
1 circular and 2 point to point stages
332 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
346 € Price per person for groups of 5 people
336 € Price per person for groups of 4 people
370 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
362 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: + 72 €
And you can add a Night with Breakfast at the end of the route -in the same hotel where you started it- - for 31 € per person in a double room or for 53 € in a single room
In these proposals when the groups are odd, the accommodation is offered in double rooms and a single room.
- TRIPLE ROOMS ARE NEVER USED -
If you want the price of the Pack to be cheaper, perhaps we can lower the level of one of the chosen hotels. And also, if the number of participants is odd; request a triple room.
- This management is only done once the Pack has been contracted -
Rates for the whole year, subject to availability.
The prices may vary when the dates coincide with the Easter holidays or with the Patron Festivities of any of the places of accommodation.
If you have doubths, do not hesitate and use some of the buttons below, we respond quickly.
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