BikeRadar Live: Essential sportive information

Details for riders at Britain's biggest bike bash

BikeRadar

Published: May 26, 2009 at 3:15 pm

The Cycling Plus Sportive supported by Pacific Outdoor Equipment in association with the Geoff Thomas Foundation is one of the main road events at BikeRadar Live. Participants have a choice of 100-mile or 100km routes through the Peak District.

Starting at DoningtonPark at 8am on Saturday 30 May, riders will be the first at the show to ride the motor racing circuit before heading off into the countryside.

The routes

The routes have been designed to use country lanes and minor roads as much as possible, so as anyone who knows the Derbyshire Dales and Peak District knows, that means some steep and challenging climbs.

Here’s a link to the 100km route on Bikely

Here’s a link to the 100-mile route on Bikely

For more route information see this page.

Your body and your bike

The ride will be more enjoyable if you prepare both your body and your bike. The 100-mile route in particular is very challenging and should not be attempted by those who are not fit enough to do so.

While some refreshments are provided on route, it is your responsibility to ensure you are adequately hydrated throughout the ride, so please take plenty of fluids with you. Remember to drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry. There may be a headwind so you could be riding for longer than expected.

Be prepared for mechanicals: - BikeRadar

Mechanic points are located at the start/finish line at Donington and at every refreshment stop, so please use them if you have any concern over the condition of your bike. You are highly recommended to take with you at least two spare inner tubes and/or a puncture repair kit. This will help ensure that you complete the ride.

Please note that the BikeRadar Live Cycling Plus Sportive is not a race and you have until 4pm to complete the ride.

For more information see our article on Fuelling for Sportive Success.

Refreshments on the route

Science in Sport are providing free sports hydration products for all riders. These will come in the form of hydrate mix, gels and bars. These will be available at DoningtonPark as well as all three of the refreshment stations on route, which are located as follows:

100km/60-mile route

  • At 30 miles / 50km – KirkIretonPrimary School and Village Hall
  • At 42 miles / 70km – The Ostrich Inn, Longford

100-mile route

  • At 30 miles / 50km – KirkIretonPrimary School and Village Hall
  • At 60 miles / 95km – Ilam Hall
  • At 75 miles / 125km – The Ostrich Inn, Longford

Stay hydrated: - BikeRadar

There are plenty of other refreshment options at DoningtonPark. The feed station at Kirk Ireton will have free Science in Sport products for all riders. The other two feed stations will have a range of food and drink items for riders to purchase as well as Science in Sport products.

On arrival

On arrival at DoningtonPark you should make your way to the information marquee to collect your rider pack, which will include your timing chip, rider number and other important information. The information marquee is located in the main event village.

You can collect your rider pack between 5pm and 9pm on Friday 29 May, or between 5am and 7.45am on Saturday 30 May.

Rider numbers

You must wear your rider number on the front of your shirt. This is requested by the police for safety reasons.

Medical conditions

If you suffer from any medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or any other conditions that paramedics would need to be aware of in the event of an emergency, please write them clearly on the back of your rider number.

Timing chips

Your timing chip should be fitted to your bike as shown in the instructions. If you are having trouble fitting the chip then please ask one of the cycling mechanics or marshals near the information marquee.

Your timing chip will activate once you pass over the start line on the Donington circuit. On return to Donington it will capture your total time when you pass over the finish line. Please then hand your chip to one of the finish team on site. Your time will be recorded and published on the event website.

The ride

At approximately 7.45am on Saturday 30 May, riders will be taken from the holding area near the information marquee to the start on the main circuit. The ride itself will start at 8am.

We will be setting you off in groups of approximately 40 riders every two to three minutes. This is for your own safety and based on the instructions of the police and others involved in the event organisation.

Descending at speed is an important skill for a sportive: - BikeRadar

After a short distance on the circuit you will leave DoningtonPark and be on open roads with live traffic. YOU MUST OBEY THE HIGHWAY CODE, INCLUDING STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS AND RIDING NO MORE THAN TWO ABREAST.

Marshals

The route will be signed throughout. There will be marshals at certain locations wearing hi-viz tabards. These marshals will have radio and/or mobile communications, so if you have a problem on the route you can report it to them.

Please note that there are sections where the route is very steep and potentially hazardous so please proceed with care and slow down when instructed to do so. Please note the following closure schedule for the route:

  • Eggington Common (outbound) 9am
  • Duffield 10am
  • Parwich 11am
  • Grindon 12pm
  • Stanton 1pm
  • Ostrich Inn, Longford 2pm
  • Willington 3pm
  • DonningtonPark 4pm

The 60-mile route will be closed from Kirk Ireton at 11am to reach Longford at 12pm.

The finish

You will ride back into DoningtonPark the same way you left, returning onto the main circuit. After you go over the finish line please return your timing chip and enjoy the rest of the event.

About BikeRadar Live

BikeRadar Live is the biggest ever mass-participation cycling event to hit the UK, and will take place on the weekend of 30–31 May 2009 at Donington Park in Leicestershire.

The weekend will be packed full of races and challenges, with something for everyone, whether you want to compete, watch your friends and family or just check out some of the world’s best riders.

Entry into any of the events gives you full access to the festival’s many attractions including spectacular all-weather stunt displays, invitational dirt jump and dual slalom comps, a cycling film festival, live big top entertainment and the Scott Sunset DJ Sessions. Test yourself against pro and celebrity riders in the Procycling Hot Laps, post a time in the Wattbike comp or take the kids along to the CycleActive skills school. A purpose-built bikes and accessories expo will give festival-goers the chance to ride the latest bikes from leading brands and grab show-only deals on bikes and accessories.

Events include the Cycling Plus Sportive supported by Pacific Outdoor Equipment (100km & 100 mile), MBUK night-time enduros (12hr & 4hr), MBUK eliminator dual-slalom and the Devil Takes the Hindmost circuit race. Click here to sign up.

BikeRadar Live’s world-class facilities include on-site camping with a kids and family area, secure bike lock-up, showers, bike wash, workshop, picnic area, medical centre, viewing stands and food and drink market.

BikeRadar Live is brought to you by Future, the makers of MBUK, Cycling Plus, BikeRadar.com, What Mountain Bike, Cyclingnews.com and Procycling.

Steep hills will challenge the riders: steep hills will challenge the riders - BikeRadar