Cyclists Gear Up For Sportive Challenge this weekend

Cyclists Gear Up For Sportive Challenge this weekend

Hundreds of cyclists from across the UK will take to the roads of Derbyshire and Staffordshire this Sunday (May 1) for the Cycle Derby Spring Classic Sportive event.

The event, organised by Cycle Derby and city-based HUUB Events, will start and finish at Markeaton Park.

Cyclists Gear Up For Sportive ChallengeRiders will take on one of three routes – The Radleigh Homes 40k (25 miles) community event, the HUUB Events 80k (50 miles) or the Cycle Derby 160k (100 miles).

Teams of four or more riders will also vie for the Geldards Team Challenge title- combining their distances in an attempt to travel the furthest over one sportive. 

Rider registration will be held at the Markeaton Park Craft Village on Saturday April 30 between 2pm and 6pm and then at the Park from 6.30am on Sunday May 1 for the 160k; 7.30am for the 80k; and 8.30am for the 40k.

To ensure that everyone leaves Markeaton Park safely, there will be three temporary road closures from the junction of the park on Markeaton Lane to Kedleston Road at three specified times during the morning.

They are:

- Start of 160k - 7.58am until approx. 8.15am

- Start of 80k - 8.58am until approx. 9.15am

- Start of Radleigh Homes 40k – 9.58am until approx. 10.10am

Car parking for entrants will be at the Craft Village and Mundy Centre car parks on Markeaton Lane at a charge of £4 per day.

All riders will head out of Markeaton Park towards Kedleston Hall before splitting off to cover the different distances.

The 40km circular route will include picturesque countryside around Longford and Sutton-on-the-Hill with the Radleigh Homes feed station after 17k at the Ostrich Inn, Longford, serving sweet and savoury food and liquid refreshment as well as mechanic support and portaloos.

The 80km route takes riders out towards Barton Under Needwood and back to Stapenhill to join the main route back to the park’s event village. Feed stations will be at Tutbury Village Hall and Rosliston Village Hall.

Riders on the 160km route will cover a new route towards Blithfield Reservoir and climbing over Cannock Chase before heading back into Derbyshire, past Repton and along Radbourne Lane to Markeaton Park.

Feed stations will be staged at Tutbury Village Hall, Gentleshaw Primary School and Rosliston Village Hall.

The riders will then join family, friends and spectators at the event village in Markeaton Park where they can enjoy refreshments and seating areas.

Geldards will also host a hospitality area at Markeaton Park with exclusive access for Team Distance Challenge riders throughout the day.

Cycle Derby Sportive merchandise will be on sale in the Event Village including Spring Classic cycling jerseys (£38) and Cycle Derby Sportive buffs (£7).

Derbyshire Police will be in the village providing free bike registration and crime prevention advice.

Scimitar Sports are there offering advice and sales on bespoke sports gear.

Swords Cycles will be providing bike mechanics before and after the ride.

EMMS Medical team will be on site throughout the event.

The Orangery Cafe will be open selling refreshments and The Craft Village workshops will also be open for business including Paint a Pot, Cocoa Tabby, Original Monkey, Lilac Joinery and Upcycled Creative.

Everyone completing the Sportive will receive a medal and goody bag.

The Derby Spring Classic Sportive will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre as part of the charity’s 125th anniversary celebration programme so that more underprivileged children can enjoy a seaside holiday in Skegness.

Mark Smith from Cycle Derby said: “We have had a fantastic response to the Derby Spring Classic Sportive.

“The three distances have been designed to provide something for everyone.

“As well as seasoned cyclists, we have attracted a lot of new riders and young families which meets our objective of getting more people active”.

Claire Duffin is Event Director for Huub Events which was launched last year by triathlon wetsuit and apparel company Huub Design, founded and owned by local entrepreneur Dean Jackson.

She continued: “We are delighted to be working with Cycle Derby this year to stage the Spring Classic Sportive which has attracted entries from across the UK including Scotland, Wales, the South East and West - making this a truly national event.

“A number of local businesses have come on board to support the event – including Radleigh Homes and Geldards; MBS and Springs Cleaning who are providing the infrastructure and logistics and High 5 Sports Nutrition who will keep the riders’ energy levels going.

“Planning for the Autumn Sportive on Sunday September 18 is already underway and there will be an opportunity for riders this Sunday to find out more about that event as well as the other events that we are organising this year including the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon on Sunday July 17.”

Entries have now closed for the Derby Spring Classic Sportive. For more race information, visit www.cyclederbysportive.co.uk.