Highclere Castle Cyclosportive and FSNBF Charity Ride is a new event on the calendar for 2006 and is set to take the cycling experience to new levels in the UK. The event takes place on Sunday 20th August 2006 and is located in 2000 acres of superb traffic-free Parklands at Highclere Castle, Nr Newbury in Berkshire. It brings together both experienced and leisure cyclists to give them a quite outstanding cycling experience on quiet Hampshire country lanes at their own pace and distance. The Charity rides directly support the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund (FSNBF), and the event itself is sanctioned by British Cycling.

Five major sponsors will significantly contribute to the success of the day with individual and team prize awards as well as energy hydration on all the courses.

The Cyclosportive riders will have a choice of 110mile individual and 4-person team, or 50mile individual. The design of these courses will encapsulate the very best of cycling in Hampshire to test every facet the cyclists’ abilities to judge pace, endurance and climbing. The triangular 110mile course leaves Highclere Castle along Watership Down to climb White Hill and continues to undulate over classic Hampshire Wolds to Petersfield. The second leg attacks the South Downs before descending to South of Winchester to cross the Itchen and Test rivers to Mottisfont, (N of Romsey). The third leg is a spectacular cycle along the Test Valley to its source; but serious questions will be asked as you approach Inkpen Beacon, Walbury Hill and Faccombe.
All riders will have individual chip timing.

The FSNBF Charity rides will follow the Cyclosportive riders out of Highclere Castle and the leisure riders will have the option to either enjoy the 50 mile route or take advantage of a shorter 32mile (50km) route. Both routes will lead the cyclists up and over Watership Down before re-entering the grounds of Highclere Castle. This charity ride is all about enjoying the experience of Highclere Castle as well as cycling the quiet country lanes for personal success and at the same time raising donations for FSNBF.
A comprehensive website is available and enables entry to both the Cyclosportive and FSNBF Charity rides either online or using the post at www.cyclegb.co.uk.
The organisers will be providing high service levels from the moment the cyclists enter Highclere Castle grounds to when they return homeward at the end of the day after their success:

Traffic-free start and finish in Highclere Castle grounds
Way marked routes
Safety marshals
Bike Doctor services

This event offers an end-to-end experience for both the experienced cyclist and the leisure rider, plus his/her family and friends, as they will be able to come along and enjoy the grounds and castle facilities. Lord Carnarvon has agreed to open Highclere castle to visitors over the event weekend where they will be able to see many family treasures and items from Tutankhamen.

More details at: www.cyclegb.co.uk