Ibbo’s Cake Quest 2010

Ibbo’s Cake Quest, a sportive for the cake-loving cyclist, has been given a revamp for 2010.

This year’s ride on 26 September will have event timing, mechanical backup from Neutral Service, free downloads from www.sportivephoto.com for each rider, and of course lots and lots of delicious cake. For more details on the four routes (60, 110, and 150kms, plus a 20km guided off-road route) and how to enter visit the event website.

The ride raises funds for the John Ibbotson Fund which sends young riders to race on the continent and was set up in the name of the pro rider who died in 2005 of arythmagenic right ventricular dysplasia when he was just 27.

Ibbo, as he was known to all who raced against him, did much of his training on the beautiful roads around Leith Hill and ate cakes in the many cafes of the area.

All the road routes head into the Surrey Hills with a variety of hills to tackle depending on the distance. All routes feature the climb of Henfold Hill and the longer routes take in notorious climbs such as Pitch and Leith Hill before returning to Walton-on-the-Hill via Ibbo’s favourite cafe stop at Fanny’s Farm Shop near Merstham.

There are four routes to choose from:

• FRUIT CAKE 150kms
• CARROT CAKE 110kms
• JAFFA CAKE 60kms
• FAIRY CAKE 20kms

The Fairy cake off-road ride is guided, starting at 10am. Off-road experience needed.

This year the fund sent 19-year-old Sam Allen to Britanny to race for Hennebont Cyclisme, and backs 21-year-old Alastair Carr as he rides for AC Lanester. Any riders who wish to be considered for funding for the 2011 season should send their CV and a covering letter to johnibbotsonfund [at] hotmail.co.uk.

Date: Sunday 26 September
Start time: 8 – 10am
Venue: Walton-on-the-Hill Community Centre, Breech Lane, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7SN
Entry fee: £20 - £10 for U16s.