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A "warm-welcome" to the Sportive page. New for 2010 Simon Hodson and Phil Cavanagh will be co-ordinating members' participation in sportive events. We hope to encourage a good "field" of Peterborough Cycling Club members for the year ahead in local events, popular events across the UK and our summer trip - La Marmotte on Saturday 3rd July. If you would like to know more, or perhaps want to put your name down for any particular ride, let us know and we will do our best to co-ordinate some other riders to share the day, and perhaps the transport - and fuel bill ! We will be producing a diary list of some of the most popular sportives which include the Cheshire Cat on 28th March, and Tour of Dartmoor on 25th September. In the meantime though, here's a few to whet your Sportive Appetite ! NEW If none of these are of interest, go to http://www.cyclosport.org and let us know which one you would like to do - and we'll add it to the list. Cyclo Sport lists many of the biggest sportives across the UK and the rest of Europe, and you can create your own log-in and diary page, and set yourself reminders to either enter a sportive - or count-down to training !! To start the 2010 local sportive season, it's Bourne Wheelers Bourne Reliability Trial - Sunday 14th February Entry Accepted On The day ***NEW*** This ride starts from Exeter Street Car Park in Bourne at 0930. There are 2 distances to choose from, 45 miles http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/377507 and 65 miles http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/377500 . Entry is £3.00 - but take some extra cash with you as there is a handy cafe stop at Wymondham. For more information and entry contact Mark Botteley on 01778 423429, or just turn up and pay on the start line and we'll see you there !! Sunday 7th March NEW Nelson Sportive, Spalding CC Starting from Long Sutton at 9am, Spalding Cycling Club is organising a sportive limited to 100 places. For more information go to http://www.spaldingcc.co.uk There are two routes, the Sandrigham Route at 60 miles and the Nelson Route being 87 miles. The routes are also available to download, entry is £7.00 and entries must be on a completed British Cycling Entry form, which is again available on the Spalding CC web site. Sunday 7th March - The Puncheur (Sold Out) Ditchlin, East Sussex. BN6 8TT Distance 70 miles, entry £20. http://www.puncheur.co.uk Sunsay 7th March - SWRC Spring Onion Cyclo-Sportive Leatherhead, Surrey. Distance 100km. Entry £10/£15 http://www.swrc.org.uk Sunday 14th March - Jodrell Bank Sportive Woodford, Stockport. SK7 1PS Distance 30/50/80 miles. Entry £15 - £25. http://www.torelli.co.uk Sunday 21st March - Springtime Classic Burgess Hil, West Sussex. Distance 35/53/71 miles. Entry £20 - £25. http://www.srs-events.cc Sunday 28th March - Cheshire Cat For more information on this event and other Kilo To Go events got to http://www.kilotogo.com In 2009, Kilo To Go organised several events through the year wich included the locally held Flat Out In The Fens. Watch out for The RUT, currently being planned for October, a hilly route likely to take in south Lincolnshire, Rutland and countryside to the west of Peterborough. Sunday 11th April - Richardson's Rumble "The 4 Counties Challenge" - St Ives, Cambs NEW With a maximum field of 500, this sportive is billed as being ideal for beginners looking to bag their first 100 miler. Entry is £15 and the organisers are offering 100 miles, 100 km. Enter at http://www.wheelsinwheels.com Sunday 11th April - Lakeland Loop Ambleside, Cumbria. LA22 9JY. Distance 100km. Entry £17. http://www.epicevents.org Sunday 18th April - Peterborough 100 One date for your diary has to be the Peterborough 100 - this is in support of Action Medical Research - the ride is 100 miles, or the shorter 100 km - for details go to http://www.action.org.uk/get_involved/peterborough_100 - entry is £25.00, and additional sponsorship is encouraged for this worthy charity. NEW - the entry for this sportive has now opened - so, if you needed a training target - may be this is it - The Peterborough 100. Saturday 24th April - Discover Rutland CiCle Tour NEW and Now Open This the 2nd year of Discover Rutland - with 2 choices on offer - a 50 or 100 mile route, the long ride taking in 4,000 ft of ascending. For those not familair with the event, it is actually the Sunday which is the main event, being the UK's version of Paris Roubaix, which will again attract a world class field of the best road/cross riders. So a big weekend for local cycling - entry to Saturday's public event costs £20. enter online by going to http://www.sientries.co.uk Saturday 24th April - Tour of The Peak District Cyclosportive Start and finish at Darley Moor Motor Raing Circuit, nr Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Renowned as a tough, hilly course with challenging hills - ideal to test/fine-tune early season fitness and stamina! there are 2 courses on offer - 50 and 100 miles. Enter on line at https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=299 Saturday 1st/Sunday 2nd May - Forste of Dean Classic Now in its 5th year this 85 miler takes in the beautiful countryside of Monmouthshire. The field is limited to 1000 places, and like many now established events on the sportive calender, sold out quickly in 2009. The ride takes in 3 serious hill-climbs, one of which is alledged to approach 25% ... go to http://www.wheelsinwheels.com Sunday 9th May - Fred Whitton Challenge (Entry Closed) Coniston. LA21 8AL. Distance 112 miles. Entry £40. http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk Sunday 9th May - Hampshire Hilly Hundred Winchester. Distance 76/100 miles. Entry £22. http://www.sportivecycling.org.uk Sunday 16th May - Etape Caledonia (Sold Out) Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire. PH16 5BX. 130mk (81 miles). Entry £54-£56. http://www.etapecaledonia.co.uk Sunday 16th May - Etape Du Dales (Sold Out) Grassington, North Yorkshire. Distance 110 miles. Entry £30. http://www.etapedudales.co.uk Sunday 16th May - The Midland Monster Swadlincote, Derbyshire. DE12 8JX. Disatnce 103km. Entry £25. http://www.wheelsinwheelscc.com Sunday 16th May - Cornwall Tor Kilo To Go offers this UCI sanctioned sportive which starts from Bodmin, Cornwall. There are 3 distances on offer being 100, 72 and 44 miles - for more information go to http://www.kilotogo.com . The long route is described as the only one day coast to coast sportive in the UK - and Kilo To Go proudly boast that for anyone expecting a gentle ride, they're in for a shock - Cornwall is "hilly, very "hilly". Sunday 6th June - The Verenti Dragon Ride (Enrty Closed for Medio and Grande Fondo) This sportive has grown in popularity to such an extent that all 3000 places sold out very quickly, however on 18th January at 0900 an additional 300 places will be released online. This ride starts in Pencoed, Bridegend, South Wales. CF35 5HY for information, and to take one of the remaining 300 places, go on line at 0900 http://verentidragonride.com. Routes of 40, 130 and 190 km are on offer with the big one offering 3000m of ascent. Like many of the big events High 5 will be offering complimentary refreshments, but additionally MAVIC are offering road side assistance - that is for your bike - you'll be walking or in the broom wagon if you break-down! Saturday 12th June - The Cyclone (Newcastle) Pitching to be the UK's No:1 sportive, with aspirations to become the UK Etape Du Tour, The Cyclone has 3 courses of 33, 63 and 104 miles - entry prices are from £20. http://wwwnorthernrockcyclone.co.uk - you could count this as your last big day if you intend to participate in La Marmotte !! Sunday 27th June - Flat Out In The Fens (NEW) Now Open Kilo To Go proudly promotes this home course as the UK's longest one day sportive, 156 miles, 122 miles and 73 miles - so something to suit most abilities then ? - right. Needless to say, this sportive produced a good turn-out in 2009 - although some local riders felt awkward (read ... "a waste of money") paying to ride on roads we cycle on all year round. However, that is missing the point - last year was truly epic, and great fun - riding in groups of 10's, sharing the work, and flying along at speeds of up to 30-35 mph !! Don't sit on the fence - support this big day on the bike and promote 2 wheeled transport at the same time - and wear our PCC Yellow Jersey with pride. For anyone thinking about La Marmotte, this sportive was actaully Simon Hodson's "preparation" for the Glandon, Telegraphe, Galibier and Alp D'Huez .... Again, go to http://www.kilotogo.com Saturday 3rd July - La Marmotte - Alpe D'Huez, France NEW - this year the Sportive team will be participating in La Marmotte - a great web site to get a good introduction to the event is http://www.gastrobiking.com/cyclosportive/marmotte.html - the approxiamte cost of the trip, all in with entry, meals, hotel, fuel and tolls etc, is likely to be in the region of £500 - this is based upon leaving on Thursday 1st July, driving down to the Alps, registering and a day "training" on the Alpe D'Huez - followed by dinner and an early night. On Saturday 3rd we will cycle down to the start, where the fun begins. If you are still reading, and wondering if you can complete this route, it takes good but not great fitness; 11-13 hours if you want to "finish" it, or 7-9 hours if you're in great shape. In 2009, after 8 hours, and nearing the top of the Galibier, we met a 74 year old rider from St Ives CC, and the remarkable one armed-one legged french rider - who has been particapiting, and completing the race for many years. Anyone interested in joining us should contact Simon Hodson - details are on the Contact Us page, but before you might like to view NEW - http://www.cyclefilm.com/marmotte.html? This event is now open and you should register to avoid disappointment - go to http://www.sportcommunication.com follow the link to La Marmotte Grande Trophe - entry this year is 55 euros. NEW - a Guide to Descending http://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_factsheets/2006/descend.htm Sunday 5th September - Wild Eldric "NEW" With new, revised routes for 2010, this great sportive tours the quiet coutryside of Shropshire. There are likley to be two routes on offer - 97 miles and 68 miles. http://www.kilotogo.com Sunday 19th September NEW - Ride For Ryder Great news - it's RYDER time again, the distances are yet to be confirmed but last year the longest route was 84 miles. Riase money for this local, worthy charity ride and enjoy another fantastic day on our best cycling roads. Sue Ryder Foundation usually provides two feed stsations on the longest ride - great day for the semi-serious cyclist, or the shorter route would suit most leisure cyclists. Look out for more details closer to the event, or go to http://www.surerydercare.org and go to Events. Saturday 25th September - Tour of Dartmoor Entries are now open for this popular event http://www.pendragon-cc.com Sunday 3rd October - The Rut (Rutland) "NEW" This is a new sportive for Kilo To Go - for more information go to http://www.kilotogo.com - if you missed Ride For Ryder, why not use this sportive to raise some money for Sue Ryder !! Saturday 30th October - Tour of The Peak 2010 2009 ..... best described as epic + very, very wet + very windy + poor visability - there were 2 routes last year, but most only completed the shorter 64 miles, as it was getting dark by 3pm which "scuppered" any hope of finishing the 96 mile route. Last year was a lesson for many to ride within themselves, taking into consideration both the weather, and its' effect on the roads. Top Tip from the Sportive team - "Lights and reflective/hi-viz clothing" ....... many didn't have either - but conditions throughout most of the day suggested they were basic essentials. Let's hope for much better weather for 2010 - as many who climbed the famous Cat and Fiddle might as well have been on Level 10 on the turbo-trainer, in the garage - with the lights turned off - as far as I am concerned, I have no re-collection of being in Derbyshire in 2009 at all - a big shame - the scenery is stunnng (so I am told). go to http://www.kilotogo.com If you are not sure whether you are quite ready for a big day in the saddle, and want to join us for a Training Ride - Orton Mere at 0745 on Saturdays for a 40 mile ride, averaging 18-20mph and on Sundays the Club Ride still starts from Cathedral Square at 0900 as it has done for many years. The Club Ride is an excelllent social ride - great for new cyclists', or those returning to the sport - or simply just a great way to explore our local villages mainly via minor roads - this ride averages 14-15mph. The Saturday ride will deliver you back at Orton Mere for 1015, and the Sunday ride brings you back into Peterborough around midday. You can view our Saturday 40 mile Training route on this link http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Early-Birds-Saturday-Training-Ride If you have any bright ideas - or events you would like to know more about - please e-mail Simon or Phil. We look forward to seeing you in 2010. Very best wishes from the Sportive Team Simon and Phil For more information contact Simon Hodson Phil Cavanagh
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