Cyclosportive: Latest News
All the news from the cyclosportive scene
Ibbo's Cake Quest Coming Soon!
A ride for all abilities in aid of the John Ibbotson Fund, a memorial fund which helps finance young riders abroad. Love the cake theme!
SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER START BETWEEN 8 AND 10AM
Ride Options
FAIRYCAKES 15kms
JAFFACAKES 60kms
CARROTCAKES 110kms
FRUITCAKES 150kms
(please note the fairycake ride is a guided ride starting at 10am and is a mixture of off and on road)
STARTING FROM:
Walton On The Hill Community Centre, Breech Lane, Tadworth, KT20 7SN. Visiting the ‘Lucky Duck' and ‘Fanny's Farm Shop'. Refreshments also available all day at the hall
ENTRIES IN ADVANCE TO: Sue Ibbotson, 2 Mere Cottages, Withybed Corner, Walton-on-the-hill, Surrey, KT20 7UH
ENTRY FEE: £10 in advance or £15 on the day. (Please make cheques payable to The John Ibbotson Fund)
Tour of Britain Stoke Ride a Great Success
6th September 2009 - More than 1,200 cyclists from all over Great Britain, including National Road Race Champion Kristian House, got on their bikes today to take on a gruelling leg of The Tour of Britain, in a UK first.
Riders set off at 8am this morning from the gantry outside the iconic Britannia Football stadium, home of Stoke City Football Club for The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride - taking on the exact professional route that will be undertaken by the World's top professional cyclists in less than two weeks time as part of the UK's premier cycling event, The Tour of Britain (12th - 19th September).
Regarded as one of the most arduous legs of The Tour of Britain - Stage 5 - many riders from every corner of the UK chose to take on the full 145km, pitting themselves against the same hilly terrain to be ridden by the pros. The fittest cyclists among the group took about five hours to complete but many took in the region of six to seven hours; understandable when you consider they climbed a total of 2006 metres. Some resorted to walking up notorious Gun Hill, a long steep climb just after passing Tittesworth Reservoir.
Others opted for the 70km Challenge Ride route or the 20km Family Ride at the event, which has already raised more than £150,000 for the Charity's work to fight prostate cancer by investing in research, offering support and information and campaigning. Lots of spectators turned up to support the cyclists as they took on one of the hardest sportives in the country.
Kristian House, 29, a former resident of Stoke-on-Trent and professional rider for the Rapha Condor cycling team, said: "Anything that gets people on bikes is a good thing and this is a fantastic event. Obviously, the cause, fighting prostate cancer, is a very important one and I will do anything to support that if I can. To ride the route of the Stoke-on-Trent leg of The Tour of Britain is really good practice for me and its great to do it with so many people. Last year the finish in Stoke, right in the city centre, was unreal. The crowds were so loud and enthusiastic. To race in a city where I used to live in front of people who have supported me is really special."
The event was staged as part of a new initiative called UniteByCycling, which features a range of cycling events, involving both professional cyclists and the general public. The activity is focussed around the Charity's partnership with The Tour of Britain and the hosting of two special mass participation events in September. Following this event in Stoke-on-Trent, there is also another opportunity for people to get on their bikes in support of the Charity and ride the final London leg, around iconic landmarks of the capital in front of an expected 100,000 spectators.
John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said:
"This is the first year of our partnership with the Tour of Britain - and we have been delighted with the turnout to our inaugural mass participation event in Stoke-on-Trent. To see cyclists, from professionals in the Rapha Condor team, such as Kristian House, to families, at the start line, shows that people, whatever their ability, are getting behind our mission to urge people to ‘unite by cycling' to help fight prostate cancer. It has been a fantastic day and I send my congratulations to everyone who completed the ride."
For more details and announcements visit www.unitebycycling.org.uk
Exmoor Beast Sets Standards
Source: Exmoor Beast
Posted: 1st Sept 2009
With a 5 year future recently confirmed at Butlins Minehead, the Exmoor Beast team have just drawn up time standards for the two challenging routes through the National Park, which will become a permanent feature of the event. However, before finalising the various levels for riders to target, the team consulted with other events to seek their opinions and thoughts on the whole event including the time standards concept.
"Through our contacts in the sport, we have drawn on over a century of cycling experience and arrived at standards which are totally fair and very worthy of achieving." said event organiser Marcus Di-Vincenzo. One of those consulted, Dartmoor Classic promoter Ron Keegan said "I was very surprised and flattered to be asked my opinion on what ‘The Beast' organisers were planning and believe the introduction of time standards and high quality certificates will be a great incentive for riders of all abilities. I have ridden the course and feel that, in sportive terms, ‘The Beast' really does offer the lot this year; superb well signed routes, with some majestic views, well spaced feeding stations and of course all that Butlins has to offer visitors." he said.
"With the future of ‘The Beast' now very firmly established, a superb permanent base at our disposal and the opportunity to use the same routes each year, we felt we could confidently introduce standards which allow riders to go for a time and set their own personal bests for the event. The certificates will be modelled on bravery citations awarded by the realm, with bravery being the operative word when attempting to Tame the beast." added Di- Vincenzo.
The gold, silver and bronze awards will cover male and female participants in both the imperial and metric century rides, which have already attracted over 700 entries. The Somerset fixture now looks set to sell-out ahead of its Nov.1st date.
Arrangements have been agreed with Butlins to include access to the Minehead site's extensive leisure attraction and facilities for all Exmoor Beast riders, their families and friends. Accommodation at the camp is filling up fast and places in the event are being taken every day. Early entry at www.exmoorbeast.org is now strongly recommended.
Ride the ToB London Route
Posted: 25 August 2009
The Prostate Cancer Charity London Ride is closing down 18km of iconic London riverside streets to cars and traffic from on Saturday 19 September. In their place will be 1000 cyclists, a host of professional riders and some high profile celebrity cycling fans, including actor Damien Lewis and former England Rugby Captain Will Carling.
This unique event has been developed in a partnership between the Tour of Britain and The Prostate Cancer Charity. The ride follows the official race route of the final leg of The Tour of Britain, which will see the professionals line up at 2pm the same day to compete for the title of The Tour of Britain Champion 2009.
Only 1,000 places are available, and all applicants must register to secure a place by visiting www.unitebycycling.org.uk - everyone who participates is encouraged to help raise funds for the charity.
The lucky 1,000 riders will be among professional riders and celebrities to host them around the official Tour of Britain final race route, meaning they can meet and chat to their heroes as they enjoy the iconic route. The circuit features a breathtaking 18km journey, starting on Westminster Bridge and taking in such sights as Big Ben, Whitehall, the Tower of London and the London Eye. The ride will be witnessed in front of an audience of 120,000 spectators - as well as being filmed for ITV4, as preparations are made for the start of the professional race at 2pm.
Supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity in improving the lives of the 35,000 men, and their families, who are affected by the disease every year is what the event is all about. Hollywood actor and keen advocate of life on two wheels Damian Lewis is among celebrities supporting the London Ride by saddling up to support The Prostate Cancer Charity.
Damian Lewis, is urging people to join him and ride with their heroes as the Charity's new cycling event hits the capital. Lewis said: "I would encourage everyone to take part in the London Ride. The best thing about it is that the roads will be closed and there will not be any cars around. What a brilliant way to see the sights of London, I will be bringing the whole family along to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. Anyone taking on this challenge will also be cycling to show their support for a great cause."
Tour de France stage winner, Mark Cavendish said: "My success at Tour de France was unbelievable but riding the final leg of The Tour of Britain, in the capital, with the public would be an honour. Cycling through London with the pros on an official race course will be an unbelievable experience and I want to encourage as many people as possible to register for The London Ride, while fundraising for a vital cause."
The London Ride will be featured within The Tour of Britain programme televised on ITV4 and all proceeds raised from a £50 public entry fee into the London Ride and spectator fundraising efforts go to The Prostate Cancer Charity. All 1000 official participants will receive an exclusive, limited edition Wayne Hemingway designed t-shirt to wear on the day and a host of other goodies supplied by brands supporting the event.
For more details and announcements visit www.unitebycycling.org.uk
New Peak District Mini Sportive in September
Bruntwood Ellipse, 13th Sept 2009
The Bruntwood Ellipse (90km) and Mini Ellipse (36km) looks to be a great way to get into sportive riding and raise money for a worthy cause at the same time, with two routes starting in Knutsford, Cheshire and winding their way into the Peak District. Proceeds to the New Children's Hospital Appeal.
For more information check out the event website
Kilotogo Reveal 2010 Dates
Geoff Saxon and his team at Kilotogo have been in touch with their provisional 2010 dates - more details to follow soon on the www.kilotogo.com website
Event location date
Cheshire Cat (UCI) Cheshire Sunday 28th March 2010
The Tor (UCI) Cornwall Sunday 16th May 2010
Flatout in the Fens East Anglia Sunday 27th June 2010
Wild Edric Shropshire and Wales Sunday 6th September 2010
Tour of the Peak Peak District Saturday 30th October 2010
Report: GORE BIKE WEAR Road Sportive
10th August 2009
More than 250 road enthusiasts turned up to enjoy the fantastic roads around the greater Selkirk area. And this time there were not two but three distances on offer. The route took the riders through the Tweed, Yarrow and Ettrick valleys starting with a long yet gentle climb following the Tweed River upstream. But it wasn't all easy going. Our course designer Pete Laing had some ‘proper' climbs up his sleeve to turn what appeared to be a gentle stroll into a real challenge. Each route made the most of the network of narrow hill roads linking the river valleys that the Scottish Borders is so famous for. The climb tot-up for each distance is... 47 mile: 4 climbs, 95 mile: 8 climbs, 120 mile: 10 climbs. None of the climbs are Alpine in scale but only one is less than 100m vertical and if you check the course profiles, there isn't a flat road in between, so the ascent total soon builds up. The 120 mile route especially was a bit of a beast with 3600m of ascent. After 2hour and 25minutes the first 47 mile rider came into the event village while the last 120 mile rider made the most of the day and took 8 hour and 59 minutes to complete the course.
The next and last 2009 round of the GORE BIKE WEAR Road Sportive Series will take place in Ruthin on the 19th September and will feature two excellent courses including the infamous Horse Shoe Pass. To find out more please go to http://www.gorebikewearsportives.com/ruthin.php.
Sportive organisers get together to make the Beast bigger and better
Posted: 31st July
Always ready to explore ways in which to improve the Exmoor Beast, its organisers have just taken a most unusual and, some would say, bold step to ensure their event matches the new high standards recently set by one of their sportive neighbours. The end of season Somerset event has just co-opted the promoter of the hugely successful Dartmoor Classic, to advise on arrangements for the next staging of ‘The Beast' on November 1st.
"Since the end of June, we've been hearing how well run the big Devon event was, with people saying it was the best U.K. sportive ever." said Marcus Di Vincenzo, C.E.O. of events management company M.I.G. "So we decided to approach the promoter to see if he would oversee that which we are putting in place for our event. Two years ago, at our first attempt, we delivered an event which was exceptionally well received by the 600 who took part. Then last year, with over twice that number, the weather and changed headquarters conspired against us and we vowed we would make the event a great deal better this time." He added.
Ron Keegan is one of the main figures on the Dartmoor Classic's organising team and he admits that M.I.G's. approach was unexpected and highly unusual. "I must confess that when they first contacted me I was more than a little surprised. You could say The Beast' and ‘The Classic' are competitors in the sportive market and that to respond positively to any request for assistance would be like joining the enemy." he said. "However, I took the wider view that, as event providers, we need to be helping each other to improve standards for all those who take part. Di Vincenzo and his team have a genuine desire to make their event one of the biggest and best sportives in the country and if I can help them achieve their goal then I will" he added.
Keegan will now visit Butlins, Minehead, which hosts the start and finish and where riders, their families and supporters can enjoy a wide range of facilities and activities. He will check over the course details, accuracy of the distances, positioning of key marshals and the locations and provisions of the feed stations before reporting back to M.I.G's team.
More: http://www.exmoorbeast.org/
Gore Sportive Selkirk Coming Soon
Event: 1st August 2009
The first round of the GORE BIKE WEAR Road Sportive Series took place in Llanwrtyd Wells 4th July and saw lots of riders enjoy a challenging day in the hills surrounding the smallest town in Britain.
After Wales the series new heads north to Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. Last year's event followed an 80 mile loop in the Tweed, Yarrow and Ettrick Valleys; a fairly easy route that featured only two proper climbs. Feedback after the ‘08 event showed that most sportive riders are after something a little tougher, so, for the Selkirk round of the '09 series, there have been some BIG changes - the Selkirk series has now 3 courses to choose from.
Each route makes the most of the network of narrow hill roads linking the river valleys that the Scottish Borders is so famous for. The climb tot-up for each distance is... 47 mile: 4 climbs, 95 mile: 8 climbs, 120 mile: 10 climbs. None of the climbs are Alpine in scale but only one is less than 100m vertical and if you check the course profiles, there isn't a flat road in between, so the ascent total soon builds up. The 120 mile route especially is a bit of a beast with 3600m of ascent.
The 3 courses: (climbing shown in brackets)
Everyone will head out of Selkirk [120metres] along the picturesque Ettrick Valley, with 2 miles of easy spinning before hitting a singletrack road that snakes its way up onto the Woll Rig [334m]. After a fast descent to the village of Ashkirk, you start a lovely undulating moorland road that takes in Blawearie, Alemoor Reservoir and The Rankle Burn before reaching the first feed stop at Tushie Law in Ettrick Valley. Here the 45 milers turn east and take on two of the best climbs in the Borders, The Berry Bush [380m] and Witchie Knowe [362m] before an easy run back to Selkirk along the valley floor. Everyone else turns left and makes for the wilds of Eskdalemuir.
Given a calm day, it's a big-ring churn up to the source of the Tima Water near the glamorously named Foulbog [334m] and on past Samie Ling Tibetan Monastery. Stop for tea and contemplation if you want but you may be persuaded to stay (in silence) for 3 years, 3 days, 3hours, 3mins ....you get the drift. At Eskdalemuir village (two houses and a tree) it's a right turn and a tough peck over to Boreland through he endless Spruce plantations of Castle O'er Forest. Look for a well-stocked feed table at the village.
After more sticky roads, a near miss with Moffat and a marvellous 10 mile climb alongside Moffat Water (blink the sweat from your eyes long enough glance at the area's highest waterfall, the Gray Mares Tail if you can.) the Dumfries/Selkirkshire border marks another high point [338m], the return to civilisation and the start of a 45 minute rolling descent past the Borders' best known beauty spot, St Mary's Loch. Feed stop #3 soon comes into view at The Gordon Arms Hotel.
Next up is The Witchie Knowe [362], 167 vertical metres of hell for tired legs and the last climb of the day for the 95 milers who turn left on reaching the Ettrick Valley road and follow the same return route as the 47's. Psychological trauma sets in for the full distance boys and girls because at this junction they have to go in the opposite direction and tackle another 30 miles and two fair sized climbs before reaching home base. Climb #9 is The Berry Bush over the Gordon Arms again and climb #10 The Paddy Slacks [360m] starts straight away and takes any gibbering wrecks still left in the event over to the Tweed Valley and a lumpy run back to Selkirk by a leafy back road along the south bank of the river.
The clockwise direction of each route means that the outward leg will be into the prevailing wind and unlike last year, there are no busy main roads included; in fact on some sections you'll be lucky to see a car.
Statistics - short course (standard sportive)
Length: approx: 47 mile
Climbing: approx. 1,600 meters
Statistics - long course (classic sportive)
Length: approx: 95 mile
Climbing: approx. 2,700 meters
Statistics - extra long course (‘extreme' sportive)
Length: approx: 120 mile
Climbing: approx. 3,600 meters
You can find further details including profiles and detailed course description on the Selkirk event page: www.gorebikewearsportives.com/selkirk
'Do the Fred' Anytime
Posted: 28th July 2009
Four Seasons Fred Whitton
Due to the overwhelming demand for places in The Fred Whitton Challenge annual 112 mile cyclo sportive ride, The Lakes Road Club has teamed up with Cumbria Tourism and The Lake District National Park to launch an all year round cycle ride, Four Seasons Fred Whitton.
The Fred Whitton Challenge is Britain's most popular Cycle Sportive, with the entry places filling up in a few hours after release.
This now would be available to anybody registering to take part, 365 days a year.
A timing system has been produced by Sportident to enable riders to self time with the use of electronic boxes placed around the full route, Staring and finishing in Coniston with check points at Kirkstone Pass Inn, Buttermere Youth Hostel, Gosforth, etc.
On arrival at Coniston (finish) the riders time would then be automatically recorded and then placed on the event web site, with this a completion certificate would be issued to all participants.
This would give the riders a opportunity to try The Fred Whitton Challenge route at any time of the year, and they could take one, two, or three days to complete the route, the timing system is programmed to take notice of an overnight stay etc and would only give the riders actual riding time.
The Lakes Road Club, together with Cumbria Tourism and The Lake District National Park are promoting this ride, acknowledged has one of the hardest single day rides in the country, and the first of the amazingly popular cycling sportive rides now taking part all over the country.
Start date for this facility will be August 1st full details of how to enter will be on www.thefredwhittonchallenge.org.uk
