Big G – Grimpeurs des Wolds Cyclosportive | National Road Race Championships 2008

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Introduction

Final instructions

Please find attached the final instructions for next Saturdays event. Hopefully these explain all the logistics of the event and everything will run smoothly on the day. Over 220 riders have entered the event and it promises to be great day out. We have still got approximately 25 places left but these will probably be taken by Tuesday/Wednesday as entries continue to drop through the letter box on a daily basis.

If you have decided since entering that you wish to ride a different distance to that which you have entered please advise me immediately so that your number can be amended accordingly

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday. The HQ will be open from 7.00am and the first riders will be setting off at 8.00am

Paul Kilvington
Event Organiser

P.S. Don't forget the National criterium championship is been held on Friday evening around the market place in Beverley. Approximately 75 elite riders will be racing around a 1 mile circuit including the cobbles through the market square The race last for 1 hour and the speed (and noise) of the riders needs to be seen to be believed - speeds of up to 40 mph in the regular sprints (every 5 laps or so)

Why not come along, bring the family and have a wander round and maybe even enjoy a pint in one of the many pubs on the circuit. The action starts with an elite running race at 6.00pm followed by a bike race for local riders at 6.40 pm and the main race of the night starting at 7.40 pm

Welcome to the inaugural Big G – Grimpeurs des Wolds Cyclosportive promoted by Hull Thursday Road Club to celebrate its Centenary. The event is part of a weekend of top quality cycling been promoted by Hull Thursday Road Club over the weekend of 1st to 3rd August 2008

The event is based in Historic market town of Beverley and travels northwards onto the beautiful rolling countryside and steep climbs of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Two fully signposted routes are available 100 miles or 100km. Both routes have been chosen to take you through some of the best roads in this relatively undiscovered part of Yorkshire and feature stunning views of the surrounding valleys and vales, On a clear day both the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors are clearly visible from the numerous high points of the route

Both routes have less than 1 mile of the route on A roads with the majority on minor unclassified roads and should be almost traffic free. Throw in the stunning views and the meandering beautiful dry valleys of Thixendale and Millington and you have all the ingredients for a truly memorable day out.

Hull Thursday Road Club has been promoting cycling racing for 100 years and have recently organised the National Road Race championship, numerous premier calendar road races and a round of the national circuit race championship. This event is been organised by the same organisational team and so you can be assured of a first class event

Why not take the opportunity to make a weekend of it and come and watch the spectacular National criterium championship on Friday evening on the tight and cobbled circuit around Beverley town centre or the East Riding Classic Premier Calendar Road Race on Sunday also starting and finishing in Beverley and utilising the same HQ. Plenty of quality accommodation is available nearby.

We have a limit of 500 riders on a first come first served basis. All entrants must be 18 or over on the day of the event, Saturday 2nd August 2008

The entry fee for both events is £20, this includes registration, souvenir t-shirt, 2 feed stations and after ride hot food and refreshments.

Full route details and profiles can be downloaded from the website at a later date

The event headquarters and rides start from Longcroft Upper School, Burton Road, Molescroft Beverley and will be open from 7.15am.

Start Times are available from 7.30 to 9.30 am (maximum group size 20 riders)

Regular updates and further information on the event will be posted on the event website www.eastyorkshireclassic.co.uk/nationals

We look forward to seeing you all on the 2nd August

Entries are now open

For information or to register your interest please e.mail big.g.sportive@googlemail.com

Background

For more than 50 years the Yorkshire Wolds have been the battleground for some fantastic racing organised by Hull Thursday RC. The club has organised a national quality event since 1963 although the race name has changed many times over the years (as sponsor came and went), the one thing all the races have in common is the relentless climbs of the Yorkshire Wolds. 2008 sees Hull Thursday RC celebrate its centenary so it seems quite apt that we have decided to give Sportive riders the chance to sample the scenic beauty that is the Yorkshire Wolds with a choice of 2 Centenary distances 100 miles or 100 kilometres. Both route will reward riders with some fantastic and challenging cycling on quiet almost traffic free roads

100 Mile route

The 100 mile route starts and finishes in the historic market town of Beverley and will cover the best roads in the Yorkshire Wolds featuring many of the toughest climbs used in the East Yorkshire Classic and the 2006 &2007 National Road Race Championships

Featured climbs include Life Hill (Sledmere), Fimber, Wharram Percy Wold, Birdsall Brow, Thixendale Wold, Hanging Grimston, Acklam Brow, Great Givendale and Nunburnholme.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that with only 2600 meters of climbing that this will be an easy ride. The climbs come thick and fast especially in the middle third and with very little flat roads your legs will certainly know you’ve been on the centenary sportive

100 Km Route

This route is ideal for the rider looking for a challenging and scenic day enjoying the spectacular views and rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds. Using the first and last 40 kms of the longer route it misses out the middle third but still packs 1350meters of climbing into its 100-kilometre route. Featured climbs include Life Hill (Sledmere), Fimber, Thixendale Wold, and Nunburnholme.

Technical information

Recommended Gearing

The steepest climbs on the route are 1:6 (15%) and are about 2 miles long. A bottom gear of 39*27 or 30*23 is recommended although fitter riders may find that they can manage with 39*23 the choice is yours.

Tyre choice

Although the majority of the roads are in reasonable condition both routes have some places where the tarmac is in poor condition and are prone to gravel/flint washing on to the route especially after heavy rain. The use of ultra light tyres is not recommended.

A 23mm section good quality 700c such as Continental GP4000 or similar are ideal

Many of the roads are steep, narrow and twisty and extreme care should be taken on the descents