The Manor House Hotel Sportive was one for the high rollers and those who like the finer things in life, but it also turned out to be really good value for money. This sportive was the last in a series of three organised by Cycle Tours UK, titled The Exclusive Series. The concept is a posh twist on the normal sportive as each event is linked to a top-notch country hotel, along with a series of other added benefits as part of the package.
The event on Sunday 31 May was based at the Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe, Wiltshire. This is the definitive chocolate box village used in films including War Horse, and with two bed terrace houses changing hands for just short of £500,000. The 14th century Manor House Hotel is adjacent to the village centre, complete with Michelin starred restaurant and croquet lawn. The sportive centre was at the hotel's similarly exclusive golf club situated on the hill just above the village.
The event fee was £35, which at first glance seems to be at the top end for a sportive. However, as the event progressed it became clear that this represented good value for money. Anyone signing up in advance received a phone call from a British Cycling coach to discuss training plans and goals. I didn't partake in this facility so I can't make further comment, but it gives an indication of the level of service provided at these sportives.
On the day parking was easy at the golf club with a marshal directing operations. The overnight rain had cleared and the first four ball was teeing off under leaden skies as I entered the clubhouse to register. An email with computer routes and a QR code for registration had been sent out in the preceding week, so it was just a matter of showing this to the organiser and then receiving the handlebar number and cable ties in return.
There were four routes with a variety of distances to suit everyone - 125km, 92km, 67km and 23km. Registration and briefing was staggered so those on the longer route, like me, went out first. I registered at 8am with the briefing scheduled for 8:30. Those on the 92km route were 15 to 30 minutes later.
The briefing was inside the clubhouse and consisted mainly of a run through of the various black on yellow signs. It was explained that no marshals were on the course because it was considered safer for riders to take responsibility for themselves. There was however mechanical and medical support on the route if required.
Following the briefing there was no big fanfare for the start. It just appeared that everyone went off when ready. One of the small niggles was that there was no timing apparatus on the course. Unperturbed, I set off out of the gates and down the hill straight into Castle Combe. Even at 8:45am on a Sunday morning there was already a coachload of tourists scattered all over the road. Having negotiated that obstacle the route then took a quick spin through the hotel grounds and right past the front entrance before going back through the tourists and up the short hill out of the village.
The serious stuff then began, although it was more fun than hard work. The entire route was almost exclusively flat and fast so that the kilometres ticked by without the usually accompanying torture. My Garmin stated that there had been over 1000 metres of climbing by the end, but it certainly didn't feel that way. The course was a big loop of the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire countryside with various short cuts for those on the other circuits. The roads were practically traffic-free as most of Wiltshire enjoyed a lazy morning in bed and the villages of Grittleton and Stanton St. Quinton soon became a memory. The split on the shortest course came early on and after about 25km those on 67km course also split off.
The only sustained slope worthy of the name on the 67km and 125km courses was just before the first feed station in Purton. The profile showed 10% gradient at one point, but that can only have been for a few metres; I was soon tucking into the various goodies on offer whilst discussing the new Rapha outlet at Shepton Mallet. Gluten-free brownies were available on request, which is always a winner with me. In addition there were Mars, Snickers, bananas, cake, flapjacks, Haribo and chocolate-covered raisins.
The menu turned out to be the same at all three feed stations on the longer route. Tea and coffee was also served to order, but the only quibble was that there were no energy drinks available and only two small water jugs which the volunteers had to refill constantly to keep up with demand. Luckily, I'd brought some of my own energy tablets and I was back on the road in short order.
The final split between the 67km and 125km routes came almost immediately. The long route flirted with the outskirts of Swindon before I went over the Swindon & Cricklade railway bridge with a steam engine puffing away below me. The course then went back across country to the second feed station at Down Ampney village hall just before 80km.
The looping route had now turned back towards home and into a headwind for the rest of the ride. It was blustery rather than nagging but still took a bit of effort as we went close to the Cotswold Water Park outside Cirencester. The 90km route rejoined here and the final feed station was only a short hop away, 30km before the end of the ride at Crudwell. I did see a box of energy drink powder here so maybe I just missed it earlier on.
The last section of the ride via Malmsbury and Sherston was ever so slightly uphill for large parts but it seemed pretty quick in arriving back at the golf club. A lot of entertainment was still to come as a BBQ had been promised between 12-3pm for all finishers as part of the package. Hangers on and supporters could also pay to join in. I was expecting a burger and bun with a few onions and thin ketchup but it was nothing of the sort.
I packed my bike away and presented my handlebar number for my meal. It was all under silver warming covers and consisted of a burger, pork rib, sausage, chicken breast, salmon kebab - all served with salad and rice. There was fruit, together with tea and coffee, and also vegetarian options: a spectacular feast for a sportive.
Once the food was devoured I moved on to the complimentary massage that was offered as part of the ride. Usually these are an extra on other sportives, typically £10-15 for as many minutes, but this was all part of the service. There were two masseurs dealing with a steady stream of customers without any real queues building up.
Anyone who then wanted to relax further could have booked a Sunday night for two at the Manor House Hotel for a reduced rate of £200. I was reliably informed by a friend who is a member of the golf club that this was a great deal compared to the usual price.
The other two events in the Exclusive Series had been at the Lainston Hotel, Hampshire on 6 April and the South Lodge Hotel, Sussex on 4 May. Each individual sportive was £35, or £90 for all three. 2015 was the first time Manor House had appeared on the schedule and there were about 100 entrants. One of the organisers told me that was typical for an inaugural sportive, and then the numbers usually doubled the following year.
I really enjoyed the experience together with a bit of pampering. A finishers' medal rather than an emailed certificate might be another slight point for consideration, but I think you get a lot for your money. Cycle Tours UK are offering a different spin on sportives in a crowded market and they should be applauded for trying something slightly different.
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