Tour Ride in the South West

I've just been sent the following that I thought made great reading. It does make the whole Tour Ride sound quite special and it's great that all levels of cycling can have a go at one of the three rides.

"We are proud of our reputation as Britain’s foremost cycling promoters and put the same attention to detail and event planning measures into delivering a Tour Ride as we do in putting on The Tour of Britain or Tour Series, or we did in 2007 delivering Le Tour de France’s Grand Depart in central London. No stone is left unturned, and riders in the 2010 Tour Rides will see this for themselves only too clearly with extensive route signage, route marshals, motorcycle support from the NEG, official cars en route, neutral service from SRAM, well stocked, carefully located feed and drink stations across each ride option, offering energy drinks and our official Tour of Britain Summer Pudding energy bars from Mule Bar as well as hot drinks, sandwiches and water from Highland Spring. Riders can take as long as they need at these picnic stops, or just stop to refuel the bidon and fill up their pockets with fuel – the motto of The Tour Rides is to “Ride it your way”. This year’s Tour Rides will also incorporate timing splits and timed King of the Mountains tests, adding to your experience and memories of the event. We are simply facilitators of cycling’s great challenge – trust us to deliver the event of your dreams, so that all that you, our Tour Riders have to do is turn up and turn the pedals!

Once rides have completed the route in the South West, or at Stoke-on-Trent, a warm reception is guaranteed from the crowd lining the barriers, and more besides. Packed Goody bags including all manner of cycling treats are given to all entrants whilst a hot meal awaits at the event village, where riders can reflect on a hard day in the saddle, swop stories from out on the route and discuss what we are sure will have been a unique day out with The Tour of Britain! We look forward to seeing you on the start line."

I hope this kind of info helps everyone, as I get more I'll keep you posted

Hi again,

I’ve just been sent the following by way of a bit more detail on the South West Pro Tour Ride. It’s a bit poetic, but some of you might be able to work out roughly where the route is going. I’ll give you all details of the full route as soon as I can, which I think will be at the end of March.

The level of sign ups has been brilliant with some good sized teams building up as well. So do get any friends that are thinking of signing up to so while they still have a chance.

Minehead to Teignmouth Pro Tour Ride – 5th September

Riders will roll out of the historic seaside resort of Minehead, and set off on their 175km ride, following the exact route that will be used for The Tour of Britain stage two weeks later. Leaving the golden sands of Minehead behind them, the Tour Riders head straight into an immediate series of tough climbs, bringing them up to an elevation of 450m after just 12kms of the Pro Tour Ride route. The stage then descends back down to sea level, following the North Somerset coast before heading inland and climbing steadily across the south Somerset hills up to the 50km marker of The Tour of Britain route.

The mid section of this extremely challenging route features more rolling climbs as the route heads south to Devon, featuring stunning scenery and tough riding. A steep descent will require full attention at 110kms – riders on the Pro Tour Ride will be able to tune into The Tour of Britain broadcast on the 14th September to see how the best riders in the world tackle these winding climbs and descents, but as they hit the South Devon coast at 125km their mind will probably be firmly on finishing a punishing ride and enjoying the hot food and hospitality at the finish!

The Pro Tour Ride winds along the south Devon coast from here, with the climb of the day – a steep punishing brute - in store after 128km. After cresting this climb, the route rolls back inland across the Devon countryside, before turning back to the south and onto the seafront at 145km, with just 23kms to go. A couple more climbs lie in store in the final 20kms, and whilst riders in the Tour Ride will be pushing simply to finish a tough but fulfilling ride, at this stage two weeks later the big teams will be winding their speed up for the finish, either pulling their leadout trains in order, or perhaps chasing a breakaway group into Teignmouth for the big finish of Britain’s national cycle race.

The Tour Ride route then winds into the beautiful south Devon resort of Teignmouth finishing alongside the sea, with warm hospitality and a feeling of huge achievement for those brave enough to take on the challenge

More detail coming out about the Tour Rides in the South West, so you can now see how far and how much height gain there will be.

The ‘South West Pro Tour Ride’ is going from Minehead, Somerset (on the coast) to Teignmouth, Devon (on the coast), a distance of 175km (in old money 109 miles) with 3190m of ascent to cycle up.

The ‘South West Challenge Tour Ride’ is going to start in Honiton, Devon and end up in Teignmouth, some 70km (44 miles) later and after 1140m of ascent.

The ‘South West Family Tour Ride’ all takes place in Teignmouth itself and adds up to 15km (9.5miles) and about 300m of uphill altogether.

The ‘South West Little Tour Ride’ also takes place on the promenade in Teignmouth itself and will cover between 500m – 1000m.

So there we have it rides for all abilities and all ending up in Teignmouth on the Devon coast.

Alistair

Hi Mikem & Fringe,

I can understand your comments on cost, but this is an event being held to help raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity. That said, I still think it will be provide quite a different atmosphere with all of the Tour of Britain paraphernalia at the start and finish, directional signage, KOM timing, static and motorcycle marshals, mechanics, well-stocked feed stations and medical support along the whole route.

I know I’m helping to promote the ride, but I’m also a member of a cycle club in Devon and we’ve entered a team and so far have 14 members in it. It just looks like it will be great day, a great route and a very worthy cause.

Alistair