Riders keen to fine-tune their summer sportive preparations are being urged to put the Chiltern Cycling Festival in their diary.
The festival, which takes place on Sunday July 13, offers a sportive with two routes and a retro ride, and with the Etape du Tour a week later and the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 within a month, organisers hope the festival can offer crucial preparation in the picturesque Chiltern Hills.
Allez Sportives’ Andy Coles, the chief route designer, said: “We know that people want different things from sportives – but common to all is the fact that riders are happiest if they know they’ve been given the chance to ride to their full potential.”
Free online training sessions with 3 Legs Cycling, who produce training DVDs with the Isle of Man’s best riders, including Team Sky’s Pete Kennaugh, are being offered to all entrants in order to help with their preparations for a summer of cycling.
The rides on offer at the Chiltern Cycling Festival include the Amersham-Brill-Amersham, which features both 100km and 100-mile options covering the region’s most demanding ascents.
The Amersham Classic, meanwhile, is a retro-inspired 30-mile ride, with organisers requesting that all bikes are pre-1989 and clothing is in keeping with the vintage theme – so steel, chrome and a little wool will be the order of the day.
A 5km ride – the Concours d’Elegance – will also take place in the afternoon, while younger cyclists are able to take part in British Cycling Go Ride races and skills events.
The Rectory Hill Climb – a head-to-head challenge with more than £1,000 worth of prizes on offer, alongside the title of King of the Mountains – will close the festival.
Entertainment throughout the day will include an Italian market, gourmet food, vintage stalls, music, live coverage of stage nine of the Tour de France and a cycling-inspired art exhibition.
Chiltern Cycling Festival’s Nat Rizzi said: “Sometimes you need a little cycling inspiration at this time of year.
“With Amersham’s heritage, the Chilterns’ stunning scenery and all the positives that bikes offer to everyone, we can’t wait for what promises to be a memorable summer’s day”
For more information visit www.chilterncyclingfestival.com or enter online on the British Cycling website.
