Riding the Wiggle Gold Rush CX Sportive

That’s part of the fun of these events, all types of riders and machines tackling the route, some completely impractical, but their riders still keen to have a go. It’s also a good chance to have a look at how the ‘cross/gravel road/winter hack bike is changing. Discs and 40mm tyres are much in evidence. I haven’t seen too many single-speeders and double chain rings still out-number single. There are always a few funky handlebar shapes as well.

There were all types of bikes present at the Wiggle Gold Rush CX and handily, somewhere to park them while hunting down a spare tube/last cup of tea. Photo courtesy of robbarkerimages.com

So, ogling over it’s time to check in. Registering is quick and friendly and there’s always a chance for a chat to check out any course peculiarities. With on-line giant Wiggle being the sponsor there’s a handy merchandise tent on-site, perfect for all those last minute purchases to cover all your forgotten items…

Setting off with the first group was a bit of a novelty for me and I must admit with most of my recent ‘cross riding being in the London X League, I had my race head on and set off at a fast pace. In the back of my mind I was also thinking that I had yet to record a gold time in these CX rides and I was keen to rectify that!

Time to discuss tyre pressures and cake choice for the day. Photo courtesy of robbarkerimages.com

For many riders sportives, especially at this time of year, are more about a chance to ride in a different area at a social pace, so it always feels a little odd to go off at race pace. But today was about getting a gold time and getting back in time for Sunday lunch, so apologies if I appeared a little over enthusiastic!

As I said earlier, today’s route was going to include a lot of tarmac and I had figured to ride as fast as possible on the road and take it easy on the gravel, so that I wouldn’t have to worry about falling or mechanicals. I was running Maxxis Mud Wrestler tyres that I had set up tubeless. I started using tubeless this year for the Surrey Gravelcross ride and have been using them ever since.

With no inner tubes to worry about, I can run lower pressures than I normally would, giving me a softer ride and better grip. I also don’t have to worry about pinch punctures and with sealant slopping around inside my tyres, punctures are no longer an issue. However one thing that will still stop you, is flint. Flint, the sharpest substance known to mankind and the bane of cyclists, especially off road.

Luckier than me, riders heading down Flint Alley, puncture free

And on the second off road section, going way too fast downhill – but it was fun – I hit what must qualify as the flintiest track I have ever come across. There was flint in all it’s horrid varities, from the tiny little slivers that will punch through the toughest kevlar liner, to monster knobbles that threw you off line and threatened to wreck your rims.

About halfway down the inevitable happened, a razor sharp flint sliced through my tyre wall like it was a wet paper bag. There was a bang, a hiss and a brief splash of sealant followed by the sound of rim hitting rock. With the front two riders I had been following rapidly dissapearing downhill, it was time for a quick change of tube, then back on and chasing like mad, oh the fun of punctures!

The ride passed through some fantastic little lanes and beautiful little hamlets, I hesitate to use the phrase “chocolate box”, but they were! This part of the country has some great views, which I tried to take in while keeping the pedals turning. It also has some great climbs, among which is Zig-Zag hill, officially “the bendiest road in the UK“.

Zig Zag Hill was to be tackled twice on today’s route, so we could get the full flavour, both up and down. Thankfully traffic was light when I rode up it and was able to ride around the outside of the bends, lessening the gradient.

The next infamous climb was Gold Hill, familiar to riders of a certain vintage as “that hill out of the Hovis ad”. This short, 1 in 4 ramp is situated in the middle of Shaftesbury and has the added attraction of being one of the few cobbled climbs left. Although not as rough as the their Belgian counterparts, these had a good coating of green moss and I was glad we hit them when they were dry. Trying to climb them when they are slippery would be an extra challenge that would probably have caught out a few riders. As it was most got up without having to put a foot down, one rider even managing a wheelie at the top for the benefit of the photographer, chapeau!

Riding up Gold Hill, really I should be pushing an old butcher’s bike. Photo courtesy of robbarkerimages.com

With Gold Hill tackled it was now time for the run back, the return route included some sections we had already ridden and having started off so early meant I got to wave at the later starters as we passed. I had an eye on the clock and thanks to all the tarmac, or maybe the organisers were being a little more lenient, I was certain of getting inside the gold time. Hooking up with another London X League rider, I hung onto his wheel as long as I could, until the final climb saw him powering away, bugger!

With my pacer gone it was time to get my head down and do some work, the last section of off road was an eight kilometre track that led straight into the event finish. Picking another fast rider – see I love playing this let’s pretend we’re racing game – I rode this as fast as I dared. It was not as rough as Flint Alley that had caused me problems earlier in the day, but some sections were rough enough to have me worried about risking another puncture.

It’s here that as a ‘cross rider you have to choose between speed, which is easy on a cross bike and a slower pace. It can be frustrating if you’re used to riding mtbs off road, with their larger tougher tyres, they can shrug off a lot of the debris that have their more fragile ‘cross cousins skittering and puncturing. But this is also part of the challenge, making the right choice of kit and how you use it on the day.

If you are going to have a mechanical, the top of Gold Hill has a cafe, so probably a good choice! Photo courtesy of robbarkerimages.com

So with my new pacer pulling away – he was fitter and smoother over the rough stuff – I tried to keep my speed up, but with the surface getting rougher I chose to slow down, I didn’t want to puncture so close to the finish. Unfortunately for my nemesis, his speed was his undoing as I came across him fixing a puncture by the trailside. A quick “you ok?” and I was off again rolling into the finish three and half hours after starting, I finally got that gold.

After handing back my chip I was able to get my times straight from the event timers, no hanging around wondering how I’d done. There was time for a tea and a chat with other riders before giving the bike a quick wash down with a handy hose, always nice to get back with a clean bike.

Ride over, coffee and medal well earnt!

Looking back the Wiggle Gold Rush CX was a cracking little event. With more tarmac than usual, it was a lot faster and if the going had been muddier, the route would still have been very rideable, nothing worse than slogging round a long muddy course, we are meant to be enjoying ourselves!

As usual, route marking was excellent (I missed a turn but that was my fault!) with orange tape after turns to confirm you were on track. Energy drink was available at the start if you needed it, I rode through the feed stations, so can only report that they were there. With the big Wiggle tent at the start and a Wiggle van driving round to provide emergency mechanical assistance, there was plenty of provision to get you back on the road if you needed. And best of all, a hose at the finish to wash your pride and joy down.

Wiggle had a sales tent and support vehicle present at the Gold Rush CX. Photo courtesy of robbarkerimages.com

Throw in a route through some beautiful countryside and weather that held fair it was a great day out. I really rate these rides and if you fancy something a little different from your normal sportive, try the Wiggle CX Series, you can use any type of bike, but probably best to leave the Brompton at home!

The last Wiggle CX Sportive for 2016 is this weekend’s White Horse Ridge CX, which is another new route. Running along Europe’s oldest highway, the Ridgeway, it is 95% off road, so a completely different ride to the Gold Rush. Get out there!

Wiggle CX Sportive Series