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Peterborough Cycling Club 2012 – Sportive Section Welcome to the 2012 Sportive Section for Peterborough Cycling Club. These pages are intended to give an indication of what some of the Club’s members may be taking part in, and will enable us to co-ordinate perhaps transport and accommodation – and hopefully riding as a Club in as many events as we are able. Many of you reading theses pages will already be members of the Club, but we know that the PCC web site attracts many hits from members of other local Clubs, as well as new riders considering taking-up cycling. The Club has benefited from the national growth in cycling, and in 2012 we expect the Club’s membership to exceed 100 riders – a level which is new territory in the Club’s long history, and shows we’re in good health. While the Club is in good health, we’re all emerging from the excesses of Christmas, and still struggling with the dark mornings, strong winds and lost form from not being able to maintain the miles during these shorter “winter” months. The great news (for those new to cycling) is that Peterborough has a very healthy cycling scene, with numerous clubs and groups meeting each week to put in the miles. Sunday PCC – Club Ride – moderate social ride, excellent for those new to the sport, general fitness and “expert” advice from our long-standing riders and those looking for easy recovery riding from high intensity training. In addition to the Club Ride, Ian Wild and Nick Smith will be initiating a new ride, also starting from Cathedral Square, for those needing a higher intensity training ride, or riders who may have more competitive ambitions for the year ahead. Terry Wrights Cycle Shop – there is a weekly ride that meets in front of the shop from 9am, and takes in 60 – 80 miles, in 3 hours.
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Monday Yaxley Riders, PCC and Green Wheel Cycles meet in Yaxley for a 5-mile circuit of “Hare and Hounds”, which runs around the quieter roads around Connington. This high-intensity training ride proved a great form-restorer in 2010, putting many riders in great shape, and setting PB’s. The ride starts at 6.30pm, and commences when the evenings are lighter – contact Paul Griffin for more information for the start of the Monday and/or Wednesday evening sessions.
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Tuesday PCC – “The Wild Bunch” – organized by Club Vice President Joe Ippolito. A social mid-week ride at a comfortable pace - for more information contact
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Wednesday Fenland Clarion 10 – Time Trial at Heath Road, Helpston, for more information visit the Club’s website. “Hare and Hounds”, meet at Yaxley, or Connington. Thursday PCC Club 10 – meeting opposite Southey Woods. Go to the relevant page on the Club web site. Saturday Early Birds Training Ride – meeting point is opposite the entrance to Orton Mere, Oundle Road, Peterborough – meet from 0715, and arrive back at 1030 after 50-55 miles. The ride passes the Elton Furze Golf Club (0745 – 0800), where it regularly collects a further 5/6 riders. The pace is varied, but intended to provide an opportunity for those looking for something more challenging, and is a step-up from the Club ride pace. Contact Simon Hodson
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or Paul Stevenson
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Elton Furze Chain Gang – Elton Furze Golf Club 0900 – a ride for 2.5 – 3 hours, covering 70 – 80 miles at training pace. Our friends at Spalding Cycling Club, Bourne Wheelers, CTC Peterborough and Green Wheel Cycles are also very active, ensuring that every level of cycling is fully catered for in the Peterborough area. Go to their respective web sites to learn more. Assuming that we have no remaining excuses for not being able to get riding, we should perhaps list some of the sportives to ride in 2012. Thosee listed below are just some that members have either ridden before, or rides that we have identified as being of interest. Sunday 19th February - Bourne Reliability Organized by ex-PCC member Mark Botteley of Bourne Wheelers, routes of 30, 50 or 75 miles leaving Bourne and heading off into Rutland – a real early season favourite. Go to the Club’s web site for more information, or
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. Sunday 4th March – Spalding CC – The Nelson Sportive Take the shorter “Sandringham Route” or the longer 100-mile “Nelson Route” – again, a great ride to begin the year with and a rewarding array of cakes and tea at the end. Both rides start from Long Sutton and the Nelson will take you to the coast through the Sandringham Estate, Brancaster and Burnham Market. Contact Simon Wright of Spalding CC on
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Sunday 18th March - Wiggle No Excuses Sportive Promoted by Wiggle this is a free to enter event. All the spaces have ‘sold’ out so far but last year they did release more places closer to the event. Keep your eyes on the website for more places becoming available. A number of club members are already entered into the event. Sunday 25th March – Richardson’s Rumble Sportive Organized by www.wheelsinwheels.com this is great ride supported by a number of regulars from PCC – 67 and 100 miles on offer. Starts from St Ives, Cambs. Sunday 15th April – The Quattro Go to www.justracinguk.com to learn more about the 48/60/80 mile route being offered around Cogenhoe, Northampton – starts from the Cogenhoe Football Club. Sunday 22nd April – Peterborough 100 - www.action.org.uk/peterborough_100 Now in its third year the Peterborough 100 offers the perfect terrain for an early season ride with some good climbs on both the 100-mile and 100km routes to test your stamina. Setting out from the Marriott Hotel on the outskirts of the city centre both routes take in the very best of the surrounding countryside in springtime. The cleverly designed circular routes take in the five counties of Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Sunday 29th April – The Big Rutland CiCle Classic Weekend The original CiCLE Classic took, and continues to take competitors where no other British race dares; on and off road for 105 miles; providing a course as near to a continental classic as it is possible to create within Britain. European riders compared it to the renowned "Paris - Roubaix but with hills reminiscent of the "Ronde van Vlaanderen". In just six years the race has gone from being a domestic race within the Premier Calendar of British Cycling events, to an international event, targetted and covetted by competitors as the race that they all want to win. The race is not just about the competitors, who come from all over Europe and beyond, but also about the creation of an unforgettable experience and wonderful day out for spectators. Visitors and locals, young and old, marvel at the feats of the Elite riders as they literally 'pass through Hell'. Additionally, since 2007, over 200 non-Elite cyclists have been able to experience some of what the Classic competitors go through, by being able to take part in the CiCLE Challenge range of cyclo-sportif events held over part of the international course. Similarly first held in 2009 on the day before the CiCLE Classic, the Rutland CiCLE Tour proved an instant success with over 450 cyclists experiencing the delights of cycling in and around Rutland ahead of their professional contempories. In 2010 over 550 took to the roads for the CiCLE Tour and we continue to work with our promotional partners to see both these 'all comers' events to the same level of reputation within the cyclo-sportif field that the Classic has established for itself at Elite level. Anyone visiting the CiCLE Classic can enjoy a Rutland WEEKEND, riding the roads of Britain's smallest county before seeing the stars of the cycle road racing world show how it is really done. Whether you wish to take part in the CiCLE Classic; find out where and when to see the race; or experience the thrill for yourself of the freedom that cycling in beautiful countryside offers, then read on. It's ALL here for you. Saturday 12th May - Lincoln Grand Prix Weekend (Sportive) With 2 routes on offer of 54 and 94 miles this is a big weekend for our local cycling scene. Ride the route yourself, and then watch the pro’s fight up the cobbled Steepe Hill. Pray for dry conditions for Saturday, but perhaps some light drizzle for Sunday ….. (cruel) for more information go to www.itpevents.co.uk/events/the-lincoln-grand-prix-sportive/ Sunday 27th May – Tour of the Peak (sportive) You've heard of the saying you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs? - well you just can't create a picturesque bike ride in the Peak District, taking in some of the country's toughest cycling climbs and favourite beauty spots, without creating an awesome cycling challenge! That's the essence of Wiggle Tour of the Peak. It'll take your breath away in more than one sense. The sportive is limited to 1,000 places and each year it fills to capacity. For 2012 some things are a little different; we've a new springtime slot replacing the reds and golds of autumn. There's an inviting new route option as well for those who are a little more cautious with their hilly sportives. What hasn't changed is the fact that when you complete Wiggle Tour of the Peak you will have taken on a seriously challenging bike ride in some of Britain's most beautiful moorland countryside. Paul Stevenson, Phil, Dave, Paul G and Joe are already entered for this one so why not get signed up and join us - http://www.kilotogo.com/index.php?option=event_detail&event_id=42 Sunday 10th June – The Dragon Ride This popular event sold-out quickly again on the first day of opening, however, each year the organizers make available some additional places in April/May, so keep an eye on the Wiggle web site for news. A number of Club riders were successful in securing a place, and due to the early start and travelling distance many will be staying in Wales – please let us know if you’re riding and need a lift, or what to share accommodation. Sunday 1st July CiCLE CHALLENGE Ride the Rutland CiCLE Tour route for yourself as the CiCLE Challenge returns in 2012, Sunday 1st July. Sunday 8th July - Peterborough Cycling Club Sportive The club sportive will once again be run this year. It will be of a very similar format to the successful event of 2011 although this year we will be increasing the rider limit from 200 to 300. Routes will remain very similar of around 55 and 85 miles. The food at the feed-stops will be of the same fantastic standard as last year (wonderfully cooked by Joe and Maxine). This year we will be using an online entry system to cut down on the paperwork and to pay for this we will be increasing the entry fee to £12, however club members will still be able to enter using an entry form at last year’s price of £10. Entry forms will be available on the club website in February. Organiser Ian Wild will be looking for helpers from the club again to make sure this event runs as smoothly as last years. Anyone willing and free to help on the day please email Ian. We are hoping to put on a barbecue in the afternoon/evening and make a full day of it for club members, if you can offer any help with this then please let Ian know. For an extensive list there are numerous web sites, but our preferred sites are; www.BritishCycling.org.uk/cyclosportive www.cyclosport.org www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk The Sportive Trophies In 2011 we created 2 new trophies for those participating in Sportives; one for miles ridden, and the other for the number of events entered. Club Coach (in training) Nick Smith won them both and will be therefore looking after them for the year ahead. We will be changing the rules a little in 2012, and will keep you advised in due course. We hope to be writing a short article of Nick’s exploits in 2011 to give our readers and insight to Nick’s incredible effort. Hot on Nick’s wheel were Dave Hulatt and Chris Prior – so watch out this year Nick !! That said, Nick did cover 1593 competitive miles, he started his year in February with the Bourne Reliability Ride, and finished the year in December with his first (132 mile) Audax event. Along the way he competed in the free Wiggle No Excuses Sportive, and also rode the Tour of Flanders in Belgium, and the 183 km La Marmotte, taking in 5000m of vertical ascent. In total Nick participated in 17 events. Chapeau Nick !! Overseas Trips Over the last 2 years the Club has organized a trip out to France to participate in La Marmotte, and last year we also rode the cobbled Tour of Flanders sportive. We are presently considering another visit back to Belguim, possibly Italy – and possibly back to France, but either side of our own Sportive on the 8th July, to visit Le Tour. If we manage to pull this one off, the plan is more of a touring trip, rather than a big day in the Alps. Let us know what you think, and what you would like to do.
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