Coming soon: Mountain Mayhem Sportive new route recce

We spent a happy day in the sun this week having a look round the new 110km course for the Mountain Mayhem Sportive on Sunday 19 June. We'll be there on the day too, but this was out first chance to try out the slightly longer and climbier route for 2011. We took our video camera too, so we'll post the recce vid next week. But we thought we'd give you a quick heads up.

First, it's longer: 110km as opposed to 100km. Not a big increase but that;s coupled with some extra climbing: basically the extra climbs are both to Upper Colwall on the ridge of the Malverns, climbing from both sides. The first ascent is pretty much straight away, the second just after the halfway point. First time you do it it's windier and steeper, second time it's longer and steadier, but both times you're treated to some fantastic views out over Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Plus, you get to barrel back down again.

The northern loop has been amended to take out the B-road section to Upton-on-Severn, and is a much nicer loop as a result, still with some big, flat, popen sections but just on quieter roads. The Southern loop is more or less unchanged, ending once more with the water splash at Clencher's Mill Brook. Poor old Dave had to ride through it about 15 times for the purposes of documenting the ride, which made for some very wet feet. But on the plus side, he only fell off once, and that was doing precisely what you'll hear him on the video telling you not to do: braking and steering rather than just running it out!

We'll post a full recce report plus video next week. In the meantime, have a look at the nice pics, and if you want to join us on the day then click here to find out more...