When sportive organisers Wheels in Wheels announced plans for the Pain on the Plain sportive, which starts from the town of Tidworth on Sunday 25th July, there were numerous enquiries as to why the route hadn’t been released at the same time. There’s a very good reason for this; the ride uses some of the roads through the army’s training grounds on Salisbury Plain and there are some pretty big vehicles using it at any time, including Challenger main battle tanks.

With their routes now all but settled, both the 90 and 60 mile rides take in some of the best roads on Salisbury Plain as well as a few exclusive military roads to add variety and difficulty to the course. The actual routes will be announced the week before the event as the organisers don’t want anyone sneaking on to military land to recce the route.

Rest assured that the course will be a challenge, albeit one with well-proven signage, electronic chip timing and well stocked feeds en route as well as mechanical back up.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA Forces Help – www.ssafa.org.uk ) and there will be the opportunity to raise extra funds through sponsorship for the charity with sponsorship forms available on line.

For more information on the Pain on the Plain sportive and to enter on-line please visit www.wheelsinwheels.com