The Smuggler Cycle Sportive

The Smuggler is back bigger and better for 2015!

Bike Shed was so chuffed with the feedback received following the launch last year, there was no way the event wasn’t happening again. This year we’ve added a 40 mile distance giving more choice or for anyone that fancies a step up from the 25 mile route. The extra ‘Booty’ climbs will be back, they were a massive success last year. We really look forward to seeing you all on the 7th June. 

Ride Overview

Starting and finishing from Barnstaple Square ‘The Smuggler’ explores some of North Devon’s most epic roads and historic routes, many of which were exploited by smugglers of old – such as the breathtaking Lee Bay toll road that skirts high above the jagged coastline. As an added bonus and to help keep those legs spinning all riders will receive a hearty FREE BREAKFAST at Ride HQ before setting off!

Riders will be treated to jaw dropping vistas, challenging climbs, epic descents and quiet roads – and of course the finest North Devon food and hospitality will be dished out to fuel your engine.

The 40, 50 & 80 mile routes leave Barnstaple on the old road through Swimbridge, out past Filleigh, turning left by the cricket ground and climbing up to Exmoor via the Brayford climb. Turning left at the Poltimore Arms you eventually drop down to Simonsbath via the exhilarating snaking descent past the Cairn and into the village – where you’ll be glad to know a well armed feed station will await to give the body and well earn boost!

At Simonsbath the 40, 50 & 80 mile routes will split, the 40 mile route heads back towards Barnstaple via some great roads, the 50 goes over Exmoor dropping down towards Lynton before joining the 80 for Lee Bay Toll, and the 80 mile heading to Exford and Dunkery before tackling the iconic Porlock Toll – a truly alpine style climb, with beautifully smooth tarmac and sweeping hairpins. This climb is far friendlier than the main road, with nowhere near the brutal steepness and a fraction of the traffic. It’s a climb where keen riders can really open up the throttle, pushing themselves through the sweeping hairpins, or equally riders can sit back into a smooth rhythm and soak up the incredible views. It really is a magical piece of road.

From Porlock the 80 mile route heads over the top onto Countisbury towards Lynton via Watersmeet and a punchy climb through Barbrook. Once in Lynton the route takes you through ‘The Valley of the Rocks’ and onto the Lee Abbey Toll road – again a truly incredible piece of road, teetering and snaking on the edge of the cliffs. How they built this road in the first place is a mystery in itself! The next feed station is in a beautiful setting just above Lee Bay, a real smugglers look out point where barrels of booze were dragged up the beach. No booze here, but plenty of food to refuel the legs! Once you’ve nailed this climb it’s mostly downhill back to the finish line Barnstaple – we promise!

Some extra surprises….

Due to the epic response last year the ‘Booty Climbs’ will be back – your chance to bag a few free drinks and swag for taking on some punchy extra climbs, on truly unique bits of tarmac. Incredibly we gave out over 200 free drinks last year as riders were cheered on by Smugglers banging their cow bells!!

Bike Shed wants to deliver a fun day in the saddle for all riders, help you explore some truly amazing bits of tarmac, and send you home with a smile.

Total ascent for each ride is:

80 mile – 2707m

50 mile – 1698m

40 mile  – 1214m

25 mile – 280m

VIEW ALL ROUTES HERE:

http://www.thesmugglersportive.co.uk/2014/03/view-all-routes-for-the-smuggler/

We hope you’ll join us in Barnstaple on June 7th.