The Circuit of the Cotswolds cyclosportive took place in sunny, but unusually windy conditions at the weekend, with 566 riders tackling the tough 70 mile or even more challenging 102 mile route.
A friendly, relatively low key affair organised by OxfordUniversity alumni’s Dark Blue Cycling Club, the event is also known as the David Ryan Challenge and commemorates the life of a brilliant young physicist, keen cyclist and former Oxford student who, in 2004, was killed by a speeding motorist in New YorkState while out riding. David regularly rode on many of the roads which feature on the two routes.
If participants in the 2008 edition suffered in the face of vicious headwinds and brutal climbs – the infamous 25% Cleeve Hill at the 60 mile mark saw most dismounting – they were superbly fed and watered by volunteers manning the feed stations who were unfailingly cheerful and full of encouragement on a day which provided a stiff test of stamina and resolve. Food and drink were provided by a number of companies of including Morrison’s, Warburtons, Jonathan Crisp, Soreen, Fresh Direct, High Five and Sainsbury’s. Riders appreciated the variety and quality of what was on offer which included flapjack, malt loaf, bananas, cake and cheese or ham sandwiches as well as electrolyte drinks or water – a superior selection to that seen on some much bigger sportives. Given the size of the event there were few marshals out of the course and way-markers for another event created some confusion early on, but a route card and regular signage helped keep most on track.
The two routes took in some superb, quintessentially English, rural landscapes as well as impossibly picturesque Cotswolds villages, and mostly took advantage of quiet country lanes, some of which, with their drystone walls and hedgerows, provided a modicum of respite from the unrelenting wind.
A medal and free refreshments awaited finishers, who all appeared to agree that, despite the less than ideal riding conditions created by the gusting, gale-force south-westerly, this was a day to remember for all the right reasons.
See below for results by race number or to view the results displayed according to finishing time click here. And you can discuss it on our forum here.
Images of riders in action on the day will be available at www.rightplacerighttime.co.uk. Profits from the event go support to Yorkshire Cancer Research and Helen & Douglas House.