Entries have opened for the inaugural Hammer Sportive.
RCUK ventured to Devon’s notoriously hilly South Hams district in November to sample some of the terrain set to feature on Sunday April 14, 2013.
Two routes will be offered. The shorter, 103km Claw Hammer, packs in 12 categorised climbs and 2,000 metres of climbing.
A gold time for men aged 30 to 39 is estimated at four hours and 12 minutes, demanding an average speed of 15.25mph.
The longer, Sledge Hammer route is 157km, and includes a daunting 3,600 metres of climbing over 21 categorised climbs.
A gold time for men aged 40 to 49 is estimated at 6.43, requiring an average speed of 14.5mph.
Registration takes place between 2pm and 5.30pm on Saturday April 13 at the community college in the pretty Devon town of Kingsbridge.
Pre-ride meals will be offered at a discounted rate in specially chosen local restaurants, as an echo of the ‘pasta party’ culture of European sportives the evening before the ride. Participants will be seated together to chat through the following day’s challenge over dinner.
Both rides will start between 7.30am and 9am, and depart in groups of about 40 behind a car which lead the riders through the first 8km of the route. Riders will be briefed by a British Cycling-accredited commissaire.
An ‘event village’ in Kingsbridge will host the start and finish of both rides and will include a bike show, car show, and displays from Cycle Sport South Hams and Team Hammer Sport, among others.
Entry to either route costs £29.
