The new Chain Reaction Cycles Etape Xtrem ultra sportive bundles the three Snowdonia-based Etape Eyri routes into one epic 226-mile ride with more than 4,800m of climbing. The event is limited to a field of only 100 riders and will have an 18-hour time limit.
Organisers Always Aim High Events are calling the Etape Xtrem the UK’s longest and toughest sportive. The 226-mile route, due to run for the first time on Sunday 14 June 2015, will challenge riders to take on all three of the popular Etape Eryri, which was first run in 2012 and attracted over 1,500 cyclists to this year’s event.
Athletes will first take on the 76-mile Canol route, which boasts 1,690m of climbing, then the 103-mile Mawr loop – 2,136m of ascending – and finally finish with the 47-mile Bach ride – 1,039m climbing – giving a total ascent of 4,865m over the beautiful lanes around Caernarfon in north-west Wales.
The 18-hour time limit means riders will set off at 4am and have until 10pm to complete the mammoth ride. Participants will have achieve an average speed of 13mph to do it – and any athletes finishing the Mawr route after 6pm will be unable to continue with the rest of the ride.
Entries will open on 1 September at a cost of £95 and you can state your interest in the event here.
Event manager, Rob Samuel, said: “The Etape Xtrem is going to be absolutely immense. We know that it’s going to attract some of the hardiest and toughest cyclists from around the country and even the world and we love it!
“Like all Always Aim High Events, participants the riders of the Etape Xtrem will be fully looked after, with mobile support teams and food necessities provided around the course. Not only will Xtrem riders get a sense of accomplishment unlike any other, but they will also get their hands on an exclusive Etape Xtrem Salomon T-shirt and a bespoke Chain Reaction Cycles goody bag.”