Marlow Red Kite Ride

Jamie Baker

Marlow Red Kite Ride

A tough 126 mile Sportive will be on offer in the Chilterns this September…

“It’s a beast,” says Event Director Steve Tolmie.
 
Organisers, Marlow Riders, who have seen their membership grow to 170 in just five years, have extended this year’s Marlow Red Kite Ride to include a new fourth route; a tougher and longer challenge at 126 miles. They now offer four different routes: 50 mile, 80, 100 and the new 126 mile version.
 
“It’s going to take a very fit rider to complete this in an average of more than 20 miles an hour,” adds Olympic bronze medallist, Willi Moore, who has designed the new course.
 
Courtesy of Sportive Photo
 
Entries are now open for the fourth edition of this annual event, which takes place on Sunday September 6th. It has sold out every year, so capacity this year will be increased to 700 but the entry fee remains at £25 and the organisers are keen to maintain their reputation for putting on a prime cycling event and giving good value for money.
 
“Some riders last year said that the 100 mile event was not challenging enough,” adds Willi Moore. “So this is a very much more beefy route. The first 50 miles are hardly flat at all.”
The new route includes a great many new climbs including notorious hills at Whyteleaf and Wardrobes Lane.
 

 
Tolmie adds: “I’m not aware of another Sportive offering four different routes. We’re catering for all abilities here and this allows our loyal riders to continue the development of their cycling capabilities.”
 
For the small town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire this will be a big year in terms of cycling as they host the final stage of the Women’s Tour of Britain on June 21st, as it begins in the High Street and on August 2nd the men’s national time trial will take place around the Marlow by-pass.
 
“Cycling continues to grow and grow in the UK,” says Tolmie. “More and more people are becoming aware of the benefits so as a local friendly club we’re pleased to be able to offer a Sportive to cater for all cycling abilities.”
 
The “Red Kite Ride” is named due to the proliferation of red kites that can be seen along the route which takes riders over the rolling Chiltern hills and through the Thames Valley, and all four routes travel through Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire with the longer ones passing through the Vale of Aylesbury over some of the highest parts of the Chilterns and then back into the Thames Valley.
 
Courtesy of Sportive Photo

 
Weather permitting organisers are hoping to include the 40ft long ford of the River Loddon in the village of Twyford, Berkshire, a popular talking point for riders.
 
Start and finish is at the Marlow Sports Club on the banks of the River Thames, with good access from both the M4 and M40 motorways. Well sign-posted routes, four feed stations, electronic timing, ample parking at the start, showers at the finish and GPX routes to download before the event are all promised by the organisers.
 

 
The Red Kite Ride finish area is being designed to allow family and friends to gather to eat, drink and relax after their ride. The after event “theatre” will again be supported with on-air entertainment provided by Marlow FM radio station.
 
The event last year raised £5,000 supporting a cycling related charity called CYCLISTS FIGHTING CANCER, who give bikes, adapted tricycles and equipment to children and young people across the UK whose lives have been affected by cancer. Marlow Riders have announced that Cyclists Fighting Cancer will, for the second year running, be the beneficiary of profits from this year’s Red Kite Ride.
 
Steve Tolmie: “Sadly we have lost three of our members over the past year to cancer, so our continuing relationship with Cyclists Fighting Cancer will serve as a fitting tribute to their memory.”

 
Marlow Red Kite
 
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