FT London Cycle Sportive
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FT London Cycle Sportive
June 2013
Event ambassador and Team Sky cyclist, Ben Swift has revealed the route of the Financial Times London Cycle Sportive in partnership with Access Sport, which takes place in the capital on 30th June 2013.
The sportive offers three distances of 50k, 100k and 100 miles and each option ends with a unique finish that includes a lap of the track at the famous Herne Hill Velodrome. All cyclists will receive not only a time for their ride but also a time for their lap of the track at the Velodrome. In addition to this participants on the longer two routes will have their time for climbing Box Hill recorded.
“I am excited to be part of such a great sportive,” Ben said. “No matter which distance you go for the route is really impressive but not for the faint hearted so make sure that you do enough training to get around the course on the big day.
“Hill reps are a great way of getting fit so I would recommend that cyclists doing the longer two route options find some time to do training on Box Hill so you know what is ahead of you and how best to tackle it.”
Riders leave South London passing by the famous Dulwich College and climb up towards Crystal Palace via College Road. Participants can look forward to a fast descent towards the South Norwood Country Park, leaving London and the leafy suburbs behind. All three routes then skirt along the edge of the North Downs offering amazing views over the surrounding Kent and Surrey countryside which are not to be missed. The shorter ride completes a small loop at this point before returning through South London for the Velodrome finish.
The two longer rides continue along the ridge of the beautiful North Downs. Riders will need to conserve some energy as they pass the top of the famous climb of Titsey Hill before plunging down Tandridge Hill. After bypassing Godstone on the roman road towards Blindley Heath, the route then turns westwards where participants will notice the Outwood Windmill along the way before the route meanders below Reigate in the shadow of the North Downs.
The medium route then turns in a North Westerly direction towards Brockham and joins the A25 just before Dorking. Cyclists will then take a fast right onto the cycle path adjacent to the A24 before tackling the iconic Box Hill which was used in the 2012 Olympic road race.
The longer route takes in the maze of quiet Surrey lanes to the South of Reigate for some gentle respite before the climbing really begins up ‘Pitch Hill’ through ‘Hurt Wood’ and on towards Shere. There will feed stations along the route where riders can avail of energy food and Vita Coco Coconut water along the route at various points.
The route heads in a northerly direction climbing Combe Bottom towards Ockham prior to the turn South to Effingham and the gentler climb of White Down to Ranmore Common high above Dorking. Participants on the longer route will then take a quick left and swoop down to West Humble before also joining the iconic Box Hill and rejoining the medium route.
Both the longer routes then return to South London via Banstead Heath and drop down through Chipstead Bottom to Coulsdon and pick up the main road through Purley and Croydon, passing Selhurst Park via Crystal Palace before coming back towards Herne Hill Velodrome.
“No matter which distance you go for all riders can look forward to an amazing finish at Herne Hill Velodrome,” Ben said. “There is sure to be a great atmosphere as supporters gather in the event village in the centre of the track, making this London sportive stand out from all the rest.”
For further information on the event see the Human Race website. To follow Ben Swift on Twitter check out @swiftybswift.
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