It took me a good three days to recover from the seventh running of the Santini Cotswold Spring Classic sportive on Easter Monday. I've climbed further in a sportive in the past and cycled longer, but the punishing layout of the long route was an epic challenge.
The sportive was a sell out at least a month before the day and was organised by Cirencester-based Velo Events. It was my first time riding this sportive, and with a week to go I received a comprehensive email guide and rider manual that covered every detail and included links to GPS files of the three course options - 54km, 102km and 163km.
Registration opened from 7am at Event HQ situated at Cirencester Deer Park School. The first riders on the long and medium courses were due to go off between 8-9am so I timed my arrival for around 7.30am. There was plenty of parking and signs to make preparation easy. Changing rooms and permanent and temporary toilets were available along with a breakfast service selling tea, coffee, bacon or egg rolls and fruit. Sign on was simple, including receipt of a number incorporating a timing tag to attach to the front handlebars. All of the riders were briefed at the start line and sent off about 30 at a time. The short route riders started from 9.30am. Cut off times were in place at significant points on the course, although they were so generous as to not be a real concern.
The weather was practically perfect for cycling, dry and with a slight chill first thing, warming up nicely later on. I was really impressed with the first part of the route. It was predominantly country lanes with some sporadic climbing after a mainly flat early section to warm up. The quality of the roads was good and there was little traffic around early on the bank holiday. The route was also well signposted and marshalled.
A flat and fast section of several kilometres took us around the Cotswold Water Park area. The wide major roads encouraged groups to form, merge and reform again. I found myself getting happily caught up in this process as it was shortly before the first feed station. It was the only refuelling point for the short and mid routes, and Velo Events used their own HQ which appeared to be a converted barn in the countryside near Poulton. The food station itself was in the courtyard and by that time the jaffa cakes had started to melt in the sunlight. All the usual food choices were on offer in abundance, along with energy drinks, water, toilet facilities and a mechanic.
After the feed the route continued on in the same vein as previously - good country lanes with the odd climb thrown in and plenty of lovely Cotswold villages. The split for the long route came almost at the end of the mid route. If I had ended it there on the mid route I would have described the event as an enjoyable early season warm-up in preparation for some longer events later in the season. However, I took the long route and that changed my entire perception.
The pre-event manual had warned that a lot of the climbs and technical descents were at the back end on the long route. This was reinforced by the words of the Velo Events man at the second feed station not far after the route split. The second feed station was in the big front garden of a local house but again had all the required food and facilities including temporary toilets. Almost immediately on taking the long course the lanes became narrower with more pot holes and gravel traps. There was also a ford to traverse with option one, straight through the middle, or my preferred option two, tiptoe round the grass on the side. Later still a sprung cycle path gate also broke up the course.
However, the main difference was the incessant climbs. There seemed to be no respite from sustained climbing, After one hill was conquered there seemed to be no time for recovery. Even where there was a descent they seemed to be almost vertical and requiring total concentration. At times it wasn't "fun" but it was a challenge. The combination of narrower lanes and increased traffic on a sunny bank holiday afternoon meant there were several occasions when the rhythm of climbing was halted by a car and insufficient room to pass safely.
Eventually, there was a downhill section into Stroud but even that brought a sense of dread as the only way out of Stroud is uphill. I felt pretty exhausted and there were a couple of occasions when the gradients defeated me and I had to push for (short) sections. Finally, the pain ended and the last few kilometres were flat back to HQ. The prize at the end was a goody bag including Cadbury easter egg, cycling cap and various other items. A free pasta meal and hot drink was included in the £28.00 entry fee. Believe me, I cherished that hard-earned chocolate.
The results for the event were out within 48 hours, along with links to photos that could be purchased of the ride. 108 people completed the short route, 486 the mid route and 132 took on the long route. There were apparently two timed sections on the mid route and three on the long route but I didn't fully understand where these were. It would have been helpful to detail the locations of these timed sections in the pre-ride manual. There was little else I could think to improve. The Santini Cotswold Spring Classic was a great sportive with options for everyone, and definitely good value for the entry fee.
The next Velo Events sportive will be the Santini Cotswold Autumn Classic on Sunday 4 October. For more info and to sign up, visit www.veloevents.co.uk.
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