BikeRadar Live: Cycling Plus Sportive routes announced

The route for the Cycling Plus Sportive sticks to very quiet minor roads. (Neil Pedoe)

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The BikeRadar Live team have been braving the ice and snow over the past few weeks to recce the routes for the 100-mile and 100km versions of the Cycling Plus Sportive supported by Pacific Outdoor Equipment in association with the Geoff Thomas Foundation. They’ve just returned to base and when they’d thawed out, they spilled the full details of the rides.

Cycling Plus deputy editor Neil Pedoe took a spin round some of the route at the weekend and reports that it’s wonderfully scenic, but “every time you cross from one dale to the next there’s a steep hill to conquer”.

The route’s been designed to use country lanes and other 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.

And as you can see from the pics, it also means amazingly pretty lanes and villages, and interesting features like the ford at Butterton. Cushy 28mm tyres are looking like a good idea.

It’s our first year so we’re not going to claim this will be Britain’s prettiest sportive, but there’s something here for you whether you ride for the sporting challenge or to add the whoosh of tyres to the scenery.

If you want more detail, or even to load the routes in your GPS device and take a look yourself, they’re available on Bikely.com, our mapping site that’s the source of route maps on BikeRadar. 

Here’s the 100km Cycling Plus Sportive route – click on the map below to go to the route in Bikely.

And for the fit and serious, take a look at the 100-mile-route – click on the map below to go to the route in Bikely. ‘Show… Elevation profile’ gets you a look at the shape of the terrain.

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 Islabikes Children's 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 in association with the Geoff Thomas Foundation (100km and 100 mile), Whyte Night night-time enduros (12hr and 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 Mountain Biking UK, Cycling Plus, BikeRadar.com, What Mountain Bike, Cyclingnews.com and Procycling. For more details, go to the BikeRadar Live website.

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