CTC Women Only sportives dates, details announced

The CTC’s Cycle Champions programme has announced two women only sportive events for 2011. The first is on June 12 in Leeds, to be followed by another on September 18 in Reading.

Both events will have three distances on offer, 25, 50 and 80km with full route signage, feed stops and mechanical back-up. An events village will provide information and advice on all things cycling and an opportunity to find out more about the CTC Cycle Champions programme.

Big Lottery Funding has allowed the entry fee to be capped at £10, with all profits going back into local cycling projects.

The Leeds event will start from the city, with the 25 and 50km distances taking in the quiet lanes around the area and avoiding any major climbs, so it will be suitable for women on their first longish ride. The 80km route will pass through Otley with steep descents and long climbs, so organisers are recommending it for experienced cyclists only.

The Reading event, meanwhile, will start and finish from the west of the city at Theale and will also feature 25, 50 and 80km distances. Each distance will head westwards on quiet lanes and take in the beautiful countryside before the longer distance branches off to take in some of the climbs in the area. The CTC recommends that only experienced cyclists enter the 80km route as the terrain can be quite challenging.

The aim of the CTC Cycle Champions programme is to encourage traditionally hard to reach groups to start cycling or help them cycle more. The local Cycle Champions Cycling Development Officer in each region will be running a series of training rides and courses in the run up to each sportive with the emphasis on building up to the sportive day.

Steve Bailey, UK Manager CTC Cycle Champions, explains the reason behind the events: “Having made huge strides in the effort to bring more women into cycling, the natural progression was to create larger events like these where like minded women could cycle together. With a selection of routes to suit all abilities, the emphasis is on taking part and getting out in ‘real world’ riding conditions to encourage more cycle usage not just leading up to the event but also after.”