Event: 2 June 2013
The route of Dawn Raid, Help for Heroes’ sportive which forms part of the charity’s has been released today and is bound to appeal to sportive riders planning their 2013 cycling calendar.
In keeping with the military tradition, the route will set off from the Help for Heroes run Recovery Centre, Tedworth House in Wiltshire, where wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women are helped with their recovery.
The riders will depart from 2am on Sunday 2 June to reach Blackheath later that morning and join the rest of the 2013 Hero Ride for the final 10 miles into central London.
The 100-mile route will take 250 riders through Wiltshire, Hampshire and Surrey to the iconic Box Hill, retracing the tracks of the London 2012 Olympic Road Race heroes, before taking a turn into south London and dropping to the finish at Blackheath Common.
Although the route is relatively flat, with just 648 metres of climbing and a total elevation of 219 metres, it is designed for competent cyclists who thrive in a timed challenge, will enjoy the adventure of night-time riding and will have enough energy left at the end for the 10 mile Hero Ride London grand finale from Blackheath to the Horse Guards Parade. There will be pit stops en route to help riders refuel and a full meal on arrival at Blackheath.
Speaking of the challenge, David Richmond, Chief Operating Officer at Tedworth House, said:
“At Help for Heroes we are really excited about Dawn Raid. It is the charity’s first ever sportive designed with confident cyclists in mind that offers a very different type of challenge, great scenery and an adventure of a lifetime.
“Cycling is one of the most popular sports our wounded use for recovery and has already produced two World Champions – Jon-Allan Butterworth and Tel Byrne. Jon-Allan went on to win three silver medals at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and will be riding from Paris to Blackheath as part of the Hero Ride.
“Through the Battle Back programme, we work closely with British Cycling and the British Paralympic Association to identify future cycling stars and some of our wounded based at Headley Court have also used Box Hill for cycling for rehab. Participants will be able to challenge themselves alongside some of our wounded who will be taking part in the sportive.”
While many of the riders will be loyal Help for Heroes supporters, all newcomers to the charity are welcome, irrespective of fundraising experience. All you need is to register online, put in the training and help us raise £1 million for our heroes by pledging to fundraise £1 for every mile you ride.
To find out more about the Hero Ride and to register for Dawn Raid, visit www.heroride.org.uk. Places are limited and are filling up fast, so register today to avoid disappointment.
ROUTE OVERVIEW
Leaving Tedworth House in Tidworth, the riders will climb up onto Perham Down to ensure that they warm up quickly. They will then pass by the famous Thruxton motor racing circuit before crossing Andover and picking up the glorious Test Valley. They will carry on through Whitchurch and Overton before skirting under Basingstoke. Maintaining a military theme the ride will then pass the Odiham airfield and cross the Basingstoke canal after traversing the North Hampshire Downs. Prior to Aldershot the route takes the riders over Burn's Plain and past the Royal Pavillion before crossing Aldershot town. Riders will pass under the military ranges and head north of Guildford before crossing the River Wey. After Ripley, the route will take in Effingham Junction, pass through Great Bookham and take the quiet scenic route to West Humble nestled under the North Downs. The riders will then cross the A24 before commencing the climb of Box Hill made famous by the 2012 Olympic Road Race. They will then descend down through the Chipstead Valley towards Purley and on to Croyden. The route will climb up past Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace Football Club, up to the radio mast before passing Sydenham, Catford and Lewisham and dropping to the finish at Blackheath Common.
