My name's Paul and I'm an addict. I can't stop riding my bike.
Last year I didn't have a problem. I put my bike away in October and didn't get back on it until March. Now I can't stop: I'm going through the winter.
My latest fix was the Cotswold Edge Sportive on Sunday 12th October. The Cotswold Edge is one of a series of sportives organised throughout the year by Southern Sportive. The start/finish is based at Renishaw business premises in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. This had the benefit of ample parking and toilet facilities for the 200 plus participants in an immediate countryside setting.
Registration from 8:00 am was slick and efficient and riders were soon out onto the dry but foggy road. There was a choice of three routes - Full (80 miles, 2071 m of ascending), Mid (60 miles, 1453m ascending) and Short (35 miles, 1052m ascending). All three routes included an optional 6 mile loop taking in Kilcott Hill and were competitively priced between £19-£21. Pre-event emails were clear and detailed only lacking a route profile on the map (although this was available in a recommended app).
The first 30 miles were mainly flat through countryside and a series of villages and hamlets appearing out of the fog. These weren't the touristy Cotswold stop-offs like Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold at the heart of the region. Instead they were quieter, but still picturesque and charming villages like Iron Acton and Tytherington. I rode across Sodbury Common where, on a previous solo ride, I had been boxed in by a herd of cows as the common is public grazing land. However, on this occasion there was no bovine interruption.
A marshall was positioned at the junction for the optional Kilcott Hill and there were about 20 riders on the scene when I rolled up, all umming and ahhing about whether to do the loop or not. I went all in (like I say: addict) and in no time found myself at the bottom of a 20% gradient. Thankfully, it was no more than 50 metres long and I was up the top before my legs knew what was going on.
The rest of the loop went past the Somerset Monument and then rolled into the first of two feeding stations at Hillesley Tennis Club. Flapjacks, bananas, jelly beans, biscuits and water with CNP powder to add were all on the menu, along with oranges. The oranges were not very popular (too sticky? not orange weather?) but everything else was being devoured. There was even some live entertainment in the form of a gentlemen's doubles match.
The biggest challenge of the day proved to be the toilet. I entered the clubhouse and observed that the singular facility appeared to be occupied. After a couple of minutes a female voice came from within, tinged with slight panic: "hello, can you let me out?" Being of good breeding I immediately released the young lady from her captivity. Closer examination revealed that there was no handle on the inside of the door, and indeed, no light switch. I took my own shot in the dark before warning the next rider of the potential pitfalls that awaited.
Back on the road the major hills of the route immediately kicked in. The scenery duly became even more spectacular as from the top of the hills you could see the mist settling above the villages in the valley below.
I cycled into Nailsworth, the biggest town on the route, and then there was an extended climb to get out of it and back into the countryside. The fog that I had anticipated would burn off remained all day.
There were 32 miles between feed stations but the killer climb was right before the second pit stop. I don't know the name, but it was a long, deserted hill with three or four bends and a punishing gradient. A real challenge, but I made it with no touching down.
There was no repeat of the toilet issues at feed station two as there weren't any "facilities" (as my wife calls it). There was however more food and enthusiastic and encouraging helpers. The supporting motorcycle rider for the event also stopped by.
The final section involved another climb which then led down to the banks of the River Severn at Sharpness, close to the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust. The reminder of the route was a mainly flat run in to the finish.
Refreshments were available at the end as well; something that larger sportives don't always lay on. Beef chilli (and a vegetarian version) for £3.50, chocolate bars (80p) and pasties were on the menu, along with a free tea, coffee or hot chocolate. I was also given a calendar of Southern Sportive's future events, listed below. I would recommend heading along. Overall I found this to be an excellent event, with a challenging route that took in some truly memorable scenery - and only enhanced by the conditions.
Southern Sportive calendar:
09/11/14 Salisbury Saxon CX sportive
25/01/15 Woodcote Wildwood CX
08/03/15 South Downs Sting CX
29/03/15 The Joker (Salisbury)
26/04/15 St George's Sportive (Chilterns)
Dates to be confirmed for the following:
17/05/15 Great Western Sportive (Swindon)
05/07/15 Reigate Rouleur
02/08/15 Woodcote Chilterns Classic
13/09/15 The Southern Sportive (South Downs)
11/10/15 Cotswold Edge Sportive
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