Vericool for Schools Circuit of the Fens Sportive

by John · February 26, 2014

Vericool for Schools Circuit of the Fens Sportive 2014

Patrick Trainor

Sportive held prior to British Cycling Grand Prix race

One of the longest one day sportives in the UK taking place the day before the British Cycling Grand Prix Series race.

Organisers of the Vericool for Schools Circuit of the Fens elite road race in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire have announced a sportive with routes for all abilities tracing the race route on Saturday 26th July 2014.

The success of the inaugural Circuit of the Fens road race in 2013 has led to the addition of a sportive on the same weekend as the 2014 event. The organising committee for the race are building on the public support and interest for a more inclusive event and so will have a sportive with several routes to suit all abilities before the British Cycling Grand Prix Series race the following day.

There will be four routes available; the Grand Prix 132 mile (211km), the Elite 81 mile (130 km), the Come and Try 37 mile (60 km) routes as well as a shorter family ride. Sections of the race circuit will feature in all the routes including the notorious run-in over Wype Drove, a 2 mile single track rough section, in addition to larger loops out into the scenic Cambridgeshire countryside. The Grand Prix 132 mile route is one of the longest sportives in the UK and whilst there may not be many climbs, the wind on the Fens will make this an interesting and tough day out for even the most experienced cyclist. The 37mile route is an excellent introduction to sportive events and will also have ride captains to offer help and advice to people taking part.

The aim of the sportive is to mirror the experience the pros will get on the Sunday with the same HQ, finishing circuit and start/finish area. Each of the four routes will start and finish in the town centre with all the finish line banners and gantry in place just like the professional riders the next day. Indeed with the race the following day there will be a large number of professional riders in the area and lots of cycling related activity going on including the Raleigh road show in the town centre. The Commonwealth Games road race is just one week later don’t be surprised if there are a few last minute big name additions to the start list either.

Vericool for Schools Circuit of the Fens organiser Tom Caldwell explains why they added a sportive to the weekend’s events, “After the tremendous success of last year’s race we have acted upon on requests for an event which the local community could also take part in such is the popularity of cycling in the area. The selection of different routes will suit all abilities of cyclists and we already have lots of interest in the shorter distances from people new to cycling. We have also appointed professional sportive organisers Wheels in Wheels Events to handle the event to ensure participants get the best experience possible.”

The HQ at the St Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey provides plenty of free parking, canteen, showers and mechanical support from local bike shop Whittlesey Cycles. All routes will be fully signposted; have well stocked feed stations – three on the Grand Prix, two on the Elite and one on the 37mile route- including energy products and savoury snacks, full mechanical back up en route as well as the start/finish, and a broom wagon should all else fail. Free tea and coffee will be available before the start for all entrants.

There will be lots going on in the town over the weekend so why not come along, ride the sportive and stay over to watch the closed road professional race the next day like some of the bigger continental sportives and races.