Southern Sportives - Woodcote

bigpikle

These events dont seem to get much if any coverage here, but I've done a few of their rides the last couple of years, and 2 this year, and the routes are all excellent, the organisation first class and feedstops etc all good.

Did the 136km Woodcote today and had a great time. Route was a cracker on quiet roads - lots of gravel and needed your wits about you in a couple of places due to the effects of all the rain, but lovely countryside, good rolling route that was challenging at times without the usual stupid bits designed to make you walk and all topped of with good weather.

Good turn out across the 3 distances by the look of it and I like the way they have all the distances come together at the end, as those of us that set of first thing on the long route get plenty of company (and people to overtake :twisted: ) for the last few kms to the finish.

Thanks for another enjoyable ride guys. I'd recommend anyone to have a look at their events if you fancy a good sportive experience.

alan14

First one of theirs I've done and was impressed by the organisation, facilities, route signage, marshalls on several road junctions in the early part, feed stops and the overall route which was varied and quite testing. For £20 it was a reasonably priced day in the saddle unlike the OTT £25+ of some other events. Also appreciated the AW Cycles van at various points, should you have needed it, and one of their riders (in a Reading CC top I think) removing a fallen branch from the road just as I passed!

But too many rutted, pot-holed rough lanes for my liking, usually down dark wooded areas which made them quite tricky. The south Chilterns are beyond my usual areas and I've only ridden a few of the lanes in the past and was surprised how bad they were, much worse it seemed than those in the central and north Chilterns. The Chiltern 100(+10) and Ride to the Horns are better, 'cleaner' routes, IMO.

And Streatley Hill - wow that is scary if you take it at full chat!

FleetPaul

I was there too doing the 105km mid-route. Second year running for me and both times the organisation, signage, feed stations and route have been excellent. Beautiful rolling hills although some of the roads had to be treated with caution. We heard about a couple of guys coming off on a tight right-hander after an early descent. Also, at the first mid-route split someone had come off and was still on the deck (supported by other riders) as we passed. Conscious, no sign of blood but the ambulance was on the way. If anyone knows how the poor guy is please let me know.

It's nigh on impossible for the organisers to avoid some of the rough stuff, especially after the notional spring / summer we've endured. When you're planning a routes of 105 / 136km and trying to stick largely to quiet lanes pot holes and gravel are inevitable. All the more reason to remember it's not a race and the gold / silver / bronze bandings are pointless. Just take care and enjoy the ride.

bigpikle

it does mean people need to ride sensibly - as usual we saw the normal idiotic riding from a few people incl cutting up the inside of people of downhill corners, wrong side of the road round bends etc etc. The organisers did make a special announcement about gravel and a few tricky corners etc at the start.

the_fuggler

Just to echo the above really. Great route, well organised and, largely, a great bunch to ride with. I know the roads there very well as I live locally - the surfaces aren't great (Cycle Route 5 is like the surface of the moon), so credit to the organisers for taking two of the worst bits out late in the day.

Feed stations had plenty of food and water and the people manning them were all friendly and good fun. Couple of tandems made it round in good order as well. Only downside for me was having to ride with some bloke called FleetPaul, who was a bit too quick for me at times.

Did give it the beans down the Col du St Reatley. When I say 'give it the beans', I actually mean, let it roll with paws nervously hovering over the brakes. Touched 48mph on the way down, which is quick for me. Saw some poor guy's brakes fail at the bottom of the hill leaving him powerless to stop at the red light...at least I think that was his excuse.

I always like these events for the bike porn too. Quite a few Cervelos and an absolutely beautiful Colnago C59 spotted on the way round. Stunning.

Must look into some of their other events.

the_fuggler

Results are now up:

http://www.southernsportive.com/index.p ... tid=120819

SouthernSportive

Thanks for the comments everyone, it's good to hear that you enjoyed the ride. The roads weren't ideal in places, but I'm happy to be able to say that other than three 'offs' very early in the day (two of them relatively minor), everyone heeded our warnings well and there were no more incidents or accidents.

FleetPaul wrote:

...at the first mid-route split someone had come off and was still on the deck (supported by other riders) as we passed. Conscious, no sign of blood but the ambulance was on the way. If anyone knows how the poor guy is please let me know.

I've heard this morning that the rider suffered a broken left tibia and fibula, but is OK and will hopefully be out of hospital today. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

alan14

Martin,

I only found out about the free T-shirt offer on your web site after getting home from the ride:

http://www.southernsportive.com/news/20 ... rt-design/

Have I missed out, and if not, how do I get one?

Thanks.

PS - Sorry to hear about the injured rider. The accident sounds really bad and I hope he/she makes a swift recovery.

bigpikle

didnt know anout the t-shirt offer....

have done 2 events now and no sign or info about them on either. How do we go about getting one?

the_fuggler

I think the t-shirt is for the Southern Sportive event on 9 September.

SouthernSportive

The Fuggler wrote:

I think the t-shirt is for the Southern Sportive event on 9 September.

That's right - the t shirt is for our next event, the Southern Sportive itself.

We only do T shirts on selected events. Woodcote is part of our Sunday Sportive series, which are designed to give you all the essentials of a full sportive while keeping the ticket price down.

SouthernSportive

Alan14 wrote:

Sorry to hear about the injured rider. The accident sounds really bad and I hope he/she makes a swift recovery.

Thanks Alan. I've exchanged emails with the rider an he's in good spirits, back home and looking forward to getting back in the saddle next season.