The Lionheart Sportive is now, in the words of organisers Human Race, "prowling into its sixth year" and its popularity as an early-season sportive shows no signs of waning. This was my first year riding the event, and the organisers' pride in the event is justified by a good course with plenty of feed stations; even if some logistical issues at the base in Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire indicated teething issues with a relocated start.
The pre-event briefing pack stated that the venue opened at 6.30am and you had to be parked up by 7.30am. Vehicles would not be admitted past that time. I live an hour away and my drive over was trouble-free until about five miles from the car park. Here I encountered a long queue of like-minded souls, and those last five miles took half an hour to cover. I did enter the park at 7.25am but there were still cars behind me as far as the eye could see; I can only assume they all got in.
The setting was spectacular as I drove in, with extensive grounds and the stately home of Longleat House right in the middle. Stewarding was efficient and I was parked up fairly near the house.
Having consumed plenty of drinks that morning the first thing I wanted was the toilet. Unfortunately, it turned out that the event HQ including start line, registration, breakfast bar and two rows of portable toilets was a 20 minute walk away from the car park! There were only two small male and female toilets by Longleat House. In a reversal of the normal situation, a long queue trailed out of the gents whilst the ladies appeared empty. The men's queue moved slowly. Salvation was at hand after a lady emerged from the ladies, declared it empty and suggested that we all pile in.
After resolving that first problem I then went back to the car and got ready. Start time had been emailed out two days before the event and mine was 8.50am, so I had anticipated plenty of time. The registration packs were also sent out the week before but I had signed up too late for it to be posted. The event manual indicated that was not a problem and to pick it up at the start line.
Some of the early riders were swooping past the car park as I cycled gingerly across the gravel track and along a narrow path to the start. The start was spectacular as it was on the approach road to the house so you cycled directly towards it from the off.
I noted the rows of empty portaloos and looked around for the registration desk. What I had assumed was the queue for the start was in fact the registration queue. Apparently, a lot of packs had gone missing in the post. The lad next to me had a start time of 8.05am but it was after 8.30am when I joined him in the queue. The MC was very entertaining and jovial to keep people in good spirits whilst we were queuing on a chilly but bright morning. However, it was clear that they wanted to get everyone away by 9am presumably because that was when the park opened to the paying customers. I don't think the lions would have been released on us stragglers but I sensed the pressure was on.
The registration pack contained two helmet stickers (including one for timing), a handlebar number, jersey number and seat stem number. Despite reports to the contrary safety pins were available. By the time I'd got my cable ties sorted and contrived to lose my helmet number it was 9.08am and I was at the start and off.
Speaking to other riders who had previously attended the event it appeared that in other years the start had been adjacent to Longleat House and but Longleat had moved the sportive away from there this time. It didn't work and was not user friendly in being able to get everything ready to ride. As a result, I had over an hour to get ready for my start time and still missed it.
The first part of the ride was around the park. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough but the only animals I saw were sheep, although I could hear there were non-native species in the vicinity. The first significant hill, Park Hill, came within four miles rising up from the Longleat grounds. I had scraped a thin layer of ice off my car when I left the house and although the weather was never warm it was bright and sunny for most of the ride.
The choice of courses was 100 mile route with 2010 metres of climbing for £42.50 or a 100km (61 mile) route with 1425 metres of climbing for £39.50. Still making my way back to fitness I plumped for the shorter course. That would still be the longest I have cycled this year.
The course was well thought out with lots of great scenery and most of it free from significant traffic. There were loads of pothole sections but then you can't have everything. The bonus was that there were four feed stations even on the short course so it felt more like a series of short rides rather than a long slog. The feed stations were fairly evenly spaced at 18, 30, 49 and 71 kilometres. Plenty of jelly babies, gummy bears, tortilla chips, potatoes, cakes and other options. There were also SIS energy drinks and gels and tea and coffee at every stop along with toilet facilities. The last feed station was at Yapp Brothers wine merchants in Mere so there was an opportunity to taste their imported French wine with some local cheese.
There seemed to be a pattern of a significant climb after most of the feed stations and the steepest of these came just after half way at King Alfred's Tower Hill. It was billed as over a mile long going up to 10% and 25% just before the top. It was a timed closed road section and it was good t know that no cars would be edging down the country road whilst I was swerving back and forth across it. Lack of fitness ensured a walk of shame on the last 25% bit before the top although I did see one or two make it all the way.
The last 10 miles were a bit of a struggle although the terrain was fairly even. I was happy to get my medal on crossing the line and also the catering couldn't get the vegetarian, gluten free bean hot pot in my hand quick enough.
I believe there were over 1000 riders and everyone I spoke to enjoyed the course and the organisation by Human Race events was professional. I'm sure the official charity, CLIC Sargent, benefited greatly. It just appears that Longleat may be putting too many restrictions on the sportive, and I imagine it's hard to find similar venues with the capacity to hold an event of this size.
With an iconic venue and excellent route the Lionheart is another thoroughly enjoyable sportive from the Human Race series; let's hope it continues to go from strength to strength in coming years.
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