Riding the Wiggle CX Century

Paul Horta-Hopkins

So, is a ‘cross bike suitable for a 100 mile off-road ride?

After months of training and hours pouring over kit choice, the big day had finally arrived. 150 riders lined up at the start of the first Wiggle CX Century, the majority on ‘proper’ ‘cyclo-cross bikes.

Organisers The Cycle Event Organisation have been running their brand of ‘cross sportives since 2011 and the Wiggle CX Century is the longest of the five event series. The idea was for riders to tackle the 100 mile long South Downs Way – a route that is on the ‘must ride’ list for mountain bikers – on ‘cross bikes. Although long and hilly the SDW doesn’t present too much in the way of a technical challenge and modern Mtbs are so good, that some of the challenge was diminished. So the idea for the CX Century was born. Bringing the SDW back as a proper challenge, rider against the trail, rather than rider and technology against the trail!

After thoroughly enjoying riding some of the CX Sportive series this year and having ridden the SDW seven times on a Mtb, the chance to do something different on my ‘cross bike was too good to miss, so how did it go…Read More