This Weekend: Vitus Forest of Dean Classic sportive

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Event: 6th May 2012
Location: Monmouth
Report: Wheels in Wheels


An established part of the British Sportive landscape, this weekend's Vitus Forest of Dean Classic is the seventh edition of the event. An 89 mile route through the picturesque Monmouthshire countryside means it is well established as a tough ride, with 20 climbs - all numbered so you can count them down.

The climbing starts as soon as you leave the town of Monmouth. All the local well known climbs such as Bulls Hill, Cinderford and the Forest of Dean itself are included but the real test of the day is the 25% brute of Symonds Yat less than 10 miles from the finish.

The event is keen to stick to its one route format as Wheels in Wheels event organiser Graham Temple says: “We originally started the Forest of Dean Classic as a preparation event for the big European sportives like the Etape as UK riders needed an event to get them used to plenty of climbing. With only one route, you know that everyone at the finish has had a tough day out and even former Tour de France King of the Mountains winner Steven Rooks was surprised with the amount of climbing on the course when he rode the event last year.”

To cope with an increase in numbers, this year the start location has been moved to the Monmouth Showground to provide better facilities and increased free car parking all in one area. The route itself will have the usual excellent back up structure from Wheels in Wheels Events and will be fully signposted, have electronic timing, well stocked feed stations, full mechanical backup en route as well as the start/finish and NEG outriders on the course.

For more information and to enter on-line please visit www.wheelsinwheels.com