a‧stride /əˈstraɪd/ 
 adverb, preposition1.  with one leg on each side of something: 
 a photograph of my mother sitting astride a horse2.
 a photograph of my mother sitting astride a horse2.  on both sides of a river, road etc: 
 The ancient town of Bridgwater, astride the River Parrett, is an ideal touring centre.
 The ancient town of Bridgwater, astride the River Parrett, is an ideal touring centre.  [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲