The 2010 Wiggle Super Series of road cyclosportives, sponsored by the online retailer of that name, comprises eight events with the first, the Jurassic Beast, starting from Dorchester in Dorset and taking place on 2nd May. The next is the Bournemouth Arrow Sportive, named, for those new to the sport, not in homage to the semi-classic pro race known as the Fleche Wallonne or Walloon Arrow, but in honour of the eponymous Bournemouth-based cycling club.
It will be run on 16th May and starts from the outskirts of Bournemouth International Airport at the easy-to-find tourist attraction of ‘Adventure Wonderland’. RCUK joined members of the Bournemouth Arrow for a recce of the standard course, which covers around 75 miles compared to the 96 miles of the full-length Epic. Oddly enough we measured closer to 85 miles for the ride; be prepared.
The ride starts steadily with a trot up the eastern side of the Avon to Ringwood, where a sequence of back doubles takes it across the A31 trunk road and into some of the loveliest scenery in southern England, right on the edge of the New Forest. All too soon it crosses back across the river at Fordingbridge and enters the rolling downs south of Salisbury, which is where the fun starts. A seemingly-endless gentle drag ends with a short ramp to Rockbourne Down and a main road descent towards Salisbury.
Just before it gets there, the route, based on a favourite Bournemouth Arrow training run, takes a sharp left and follows the valley of the Ebbesbourne, climbing steadily for miles until, just east of Shaftesbury, it turns south past Donhead St Mary and tackles the first “quality climb” of the day. Sharp and not so short, it is the first of three big ‘uns on the Epic ride – others being the Bulbarrow and Milton Abbas – and the only one of the three to feature in the Standard.
That’s not to suggest that the Standard lacks climbing after Win Green. There’s a fast drop into and stiff climb out of a valley just before the ride avoids the descent to Fontmell Magna and, instead, scoots across Cranborne Chase. After visiting the various Tarrants, it ascends “the cliff” out of Tarrant Rushton, a long, curving climb of a gradient that after 65 miles or so will feel decidedly challenging.
Having crossed the River Allen, the Standard and Epic both head through lumpy country to Verwood, passing picture-postcard cottages straight out of Hansel and Gretel. Tired legs will feel the long, draggy road out of Verwood across Ringwood Forest but the ride sidesteps Ringwood itself to take what is claimed to be the smoothest five miles of Tarmac in Hampshire. This undulating minor road runs alongside the main A338, depositing riders back at the village of Hurn with a mere mile to go to the event headquarters and a well-earned finish.
While never outrageously hard, even the Standard ride is challenging enough, if ridden with a bit of pace, to leave our recce group glad to climb off the bike. Throw in the two quality climbs and extra 20-odd miles of the Epic and the Bournemouth Arrow Sportive route will not disappoint.
The event includes: electronic timing, well stocked feed stations, tarmac parking, free energy products, event photography, toilets, mechanical support, bike wash facilities and, most importantly, an extremely well marked course.
Epic Gold –
http://connect.garmin.com/player/30215085
http://connect.garmin.com/player/30215247
For ride details and online entry through wiggle, visit www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk
