The Cycling Plus Sportive in association with Zipvit, offering distances of 50, 70 or 106 miles, will be taking place as part of the weekend’s activities at BikeRadar Live on July 10-11.
Three breathtaking routes will ride a lap of the historic Brands Hatch racing circuit before taking in the beautiful Kent Downs, winding though a series of idyllic villages and hamlets.
50 mile option
Perfect if you’re considering doing your first sportive but aren't quite sure about going over 60 miles. It's a challenge, but we feel it's an achieveable one for most beginners.
The route starts with a lap of the Indy circuit at Brands Hatch, it then heads in a south-easterly direction via Wrotham and West Malling before climbing Bow Hill (18 miles). A couple of miles later at Yalding it splits off from the other two routes, heading south to follow the B2162 before turning right into the lanes to reach the feed station at Brenchley after 28 miles. After that it's another 20 miles to the finish at Brands Hatch, punctuated by a couple of climbs at Plaxtol and Wrotham.
70 mile route
From the Brands Hatch circuit, the 70-miler heads in a south-easterly direction via Wrotham, West Malling and Hunton. At Headcorn, the return leg winds through the lanes to Staplehurst, Marden, Winchet Hill, Matfield and Shipbourne before finishing at Brands Hatch. The last 10 miles has a bit of climbing in it, so be warned.
106 miles
Like the 70 mile route, the longest of the three challenges starts and finishes on the Brands Hatch circuit, then heads in a south-easterly direction via Wrotham, West Malling, Hunton, Charing and Badlesmere. The return leg skirts around Ashford to the north, then winds through the lanes to Headcom, Staplehurst, Marden, Winchet Hill, Matfield and Shipbourne before finishing at Brands Hatch.
Here's a video of David riding some of it, which will give you a good flavour of the ride:
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Book your sportive ticket now, and for more information and to enter, head to the BikeRadar Live website now
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