Today the three-day Tour of Wessex sportive got underway and RCUK’s Richard Hallett and I will be riding the full blown challenge.

I’ve never attempted a multi-day sportive before, but I’ll be aiming to keep you updated on each day with a short report following each stage.

Tour of Wessex – Day 1

163 km (102 miles), 2,290 m (7,512 ft). Map of the route.

The first day of the Tour of Wessex got off to a cracker, in all respects. Perfect sportive weather greeted all the riders who turned out for day one of the UK’s only multi-day sportive, and by god had the organisers laid on a challenging course.

Organiser Nick Bourne picked a route for today that unravelled through the rolling countryside of Somerset, with a nice early section that took the riders to the first real climb of the day, the Cheddar Gorge. Equally tough climbs would come again throughout the route, including the incredibly tough wall that was the road up to Alford Tower.

Richard and I chose to depart the busy HQ at a measured pace, which would pay off as we kept the pace steady but fast throughout, and clocked a respectable time of 5hrs 29mins. The thought of another two 100-mile days was enough to keep many (myself most certainly) from going off like a gun. Though it didn’t stop many, with some reportedly finishing well under 5hrs!

Here’s to day two…