Sunday 11th October 2015 was my second consecutive year riding in the Cotswold Edge sportive. To paraphrase Morecombe and Wise, this year's vintage had all of the same roads as last year but not necessarily in the same order, a development that led to some confusion during the event.
Southern Sportive organise ten events throughout the year and this was the last one for 2015. It was again based at very picturesque business premises on the outskirts of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire owned by Renishaw. There was an abundance of parking, although there were only about 160 riders in the event which appeared to be fewer than last year. I'm not quite sure why as this is a well organised sportive. However, the last three sportives I have ridden since the end of August have all been on similar routes around the Cotswold Edge area. Maybe there is a danger of overkill by having similar events in close proximity.
Registration was outside although under cover. A pre-event email had included GPS downloads of the various routes and details of my riding number. On the day, once I had signed up I was given a number and cable ties for the handlebars and a reusable timing chip. In order to fit the chip I had to loosen off the rear wheel quick release and hook it onto the axle. I found this a fiddly process, and there is also a financial penalty to pay should you forget to return your chip or lose it en route. I find the helmet sticker chips at other events much easier.
There were ample toilet facilities and opportunities to buy food and hot drinks before the ride, but I got myself ready and headed for the start and a concise and effective briefing. Registration was open between 8.00-9.30am with riders setting off on the three routes between 8.30-10.00am. I was on the Full route (132km) and so had to be on the road by 9.30am at the latest. The Mid route was 100km and the Short 57km. There was also an optional 9km loop taking in Kilcott Hill for those who wanted something extra. Prices were a very reasonable £22-24.
The weather was cloudy but dry, about 10-11 degrees centigrade. The first 50 km were mainly flat on country roads in South Gloucestershire. This didn't stop them being eventful. One rider in my group suffered a big blowout within a few miles of the start. I ended up riding in a group with two ladies and we had a variety of obstacles to avoid, including a reversing Land Rover, a digger emerging from an obscured entrance to a field, and horse riders who hadn't noticed us. One of the ladies had various lights and canisters fall off her bike on a consistent basis as well so it was fun and games.
After sitting on the back for the first part I then did my share at the front before retreating to the rear again to recover. The first feed station was again at Hillesley tennis club; my sense of deja vu was compounded by the sight of a game of Gentleman's doubles in progress when we pulled up. I rolled over the timing mat and availed myself of the club toilets. CNP energy drink and water was being served up along with oranges, bananas, flap jack, jelly babies and other treats.
Problems arose for some riders on leaving the feed station, as there was no arrow indicating the direction to take once back on the main road. The two ladies I had been riding with left before me but caught me up again after going a mile or two the wrong way and then turning back. I spoke to another rider later who went about five miles down the wrong route at the same point.
The optional Kilcott Hill loop was a few hundred metres after the feed station, whereas last year it had been approached from the opposite direction and so was not as confusing. The loop was largely flat apart from the short Kilcott Hill section, which I believe touches 20% but only for a few metres. Someone had reported one of the signs being moved as well which didn't help, although the organisers were quick to get onto the course and replace it.
More unforeseen events occurred on the descent at the end of the loop when one of the ladies had a tyre blow out. She was unscathed but tyre and inner tube were beyond repair. Again the event staff were quick to go and collect the stricken rider and machine. I went over the timing mat in the feed station again and then set out alone on the rest of the course. It was still mainly country lanes but with some significant hills in places. There was a descent of Frocester Hill and the long slow drag up past Forest Green Rovers football club in Nailsworth, which seems to be a regular route for sportive course organisers.
The second feed station around the 100km mark was also the same as the previous year, under a gazebo by the roadside with no toilet facilities. There was a motorbike marshal for the event keeping an eye on the riders, along with a broom wagon. The signs were clear and fluorescent orange with bits of orange tape tied to bushes in between the main signs.
After the second feed station there were a couple more gentle hills but it was a mainly flat run in along the Severn Estuary. I completed the 89 miles and 2118 metres of climbing in just under seven hours. At the finish you were given an instant time and medal along with a voucher for a free hot drink. I paid an extra £3.50 for some really filling hot chilli to go with it.
I hope the numbers pick up again for the Cotswold Edge sportive next year as it is a good day out and efficiently run. Coming at the end of the season it might have suffered from a crowded calendar of Cotswold sportives; something that is beyond the organisers' control, but I suppose highlights the deserved appeal of the Cotswolds for cyclists.
0 Comments