Entry is still open for the UCI Highclere Castle Cyclosportive, which takes place on Sunday 10th June starting from Highclere Castle in Berkshire. This second running of the event, which received much acclaim last year for its professional organisation amd beautiful route, tackles the same roads in the opposite direction this time round. The anti-clock wise route takes in countryside around the source of the River Test and features some notable climbs including Stockbridge Down and Watership Down.

The event is run to UCI cyclosportive standards of rider support, and has several feed stations, fully-arrowed long and short routes and both individual and team awards with gold, silver and bronze standards at a series of age categories.

Running mainly south of Highclere through some of the loveliest scenery in Berkshire, Hampshire and the South Downs, the 115mile ride keeps mainly to B roads and comprises a challenging mix of fast flat roads, big ring power climbs, steeper ascents and long drags, and will offer a stern test for riders hoping to achieve a standard time.The 72mile ride is run over similar terrain.

For more details and to enter, check out the website which provides you with all the information you will need. Entries can be made online until Thursday 9pm (at standard entry fee), and then on the day for a fixed fee of £30.00 (cash or cheque). There will be a limit on the number of timing transponder chips that are available on the day, and these will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once all the spare chips have been used, entrants ‘on-the-line’ will still be able to ride the event but will need to keep a manual record of their times.