Event Preview: Highclere Castle Cyclosportive

Source: Everyday Cycling

News Posted: 23 April 2008

Eddie Allen heads south to recce the new and improved 200km Highclere Castle Cyclosportive Route

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A few days ago I was lucky enough to get away from the keyboard, swap the PC for the road bike and head down to Hampshire/Berkshire for a taste of the Highclere Castle Cyclosportive route. It's become a firm fixture on the calendar now, since it started a few years ago and I've not had the chance to ride the route since its inception. It was also to be my first ride on the Hampshire Downs, and according to event organiser Ken Robson of Britain by Bicycle, speaking on the phone a few days earlier, I was in for a real challenge and a real visual treat. And Ken wasn't kidding.

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A dramatic and very chilly start to the day

The day dawned foggy as we assembled in the shrouded castle grounds at around 9am. I was to be joined on the ride by Ken, who was very eager to show me the delights of the Hampshire and Berkshire countryside, plus a 'crack unit' from the Army who are taking part in this year's event along with other contingents from the armed forces. Also on hand were other journalists and other event organisers, keen to get a taste of Ken's well crafted route. An unforeseen delay meant that we didn't get rolling until around 10pm, which was a good thing, as the fog had then lifted (along with the 1 degree Celsius morning temperature!). The full beauty of the Capability Brown designed castle grounds became apparent as well as the castle itself - seat of Lord Carnarvon, a glorious and stately building remodelled in 1842 by the architect of the Houses of Parliament, Sir Charles Barry. The castle grounds provided the first two sumptuous miles of riding, passing between fields of sheep and well manicured parkland, before we left the gates and headed out onto the road proper.

After a few gentle miles on quiet lanes, perfect for warming up the legs, the first test greeted us - labelled 'The Scorpion Sting' by the event organiser, the climb of Warbury Hill. This was to be a rude awakening for the lungs and legs and prompted a stop for photos, removal of a few layers and few very deep breaths! Warbury Hill was used during the Second World War as a testing area for gliders - and it was easy to see why - with miles of patchwork fields far below just emerging from the morning fog and haze.

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Above: Riders cresting the first big climb of the day, Warbury Hill

The route then descended sweetly down Coombe Hill before the visual treat of the Bourne then the Test Valley, with the River Test snaking its way along the lush valley floor, long, vivid fronds of water-weed snaking in the current. The flat bottomed valley is also home to watercress plantations which can be seen from the road, near to Longparish, where the first Hi Five water station is located, and where the 70km route splits.

The route then continued heading south dropping down as far as the outskirts of Winchester, all the while the picturesque Hampshire villages, thatched roofs and farmland swept by. At one point climbing through woodland near Twyford, we spotted roe deer grazing in the woods amid the bluebells and trees.

Before we knew it we hit the 68km feed stop at Sparsholt, where Ken and his crew had laid on a great spread of homemade cakes and sandwiches (the piece-de-resistance being Mrs Robson's excellent Bramble Jelly and Peanut Butter sandwiches!)

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Above: The feed at Sparsholt - courtesy of event organisers Ken and Barbara Robson

After the feed the next big challenge was Old Winchester Hill, following which the route continued east as far as Petersfield where Owens Cycles provided a superb location for the next feed- a friendly and fully stocked bike shop and workshop near Steep. And steep was certainly apt from there on in, as the route turned north and headed out of the singularly beautiful South Downs. Unlike any other hilly terrain to be found in the UK, the area has a really haunting quality and quiet undulating roads that'll make you want to sign up for next year's ride before you even completed the 2008 edition. The first of these climbs ascends Stoner Hill, snaking up on the steep sides of a uniquely beautiful wooded vale and is essentially the gateway to the Downs for those approaching from the North and West.

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Above: The second feed at the excellent Owens Cycles - left to right: Ken Robson, Owen (shop owner), Andy Cook and roadcycling.uk.com's Richard Hallett

And the climbing didn't stop there. The road ducked and dived through open downland, wooded vales and farmland before the last major climb of the day - the 3 mile drag climb to Hannington Mast. After Hannington Mast the route continued to head back north toward Burghclere and Highclere, passing close to Watership Down, inspiration and setting for Richard Adams' haunting tale of the same name. After Watership Down it was only a short hop back to Highclere Castle, which sat snug in its grounds as the late afternoon sun began to cast long shadows. In between the major climbs highlighted on the route sheet, there were countless smaller rises that go a long way toward explaining the overall 3000 metres of climbing to be had along the entire 200km route. Another impressive statistic is that in the entire route, there is only a short 4km section on an urban road, the remaining distance is all completed on quiet lanes- narrow enough to put off the drivers, but wide and smooth enough for quick progress on two wheels.

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Above: the sun descends in the sky as the riders tackle the 3 mile climb to Hannington Mast

If like me you've been brought up on a diet of Peak District or Welsh sportive rides, you'd be forgiven for thinking that a route in the quintessentially English setting of Berkshire and Hampshire would be a walk in the park. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Whether the 3000m of climbing creeps up on you unawares like here in the Downs, or smacks you in the face like it does in Wales, you still have to haul you and your bike against gravity every pedal-revolution of the way. But with great views, quiet roads and excellent support in place, the Highclere Castle event makes every mile a pleasure and should be on everyone's sportive shortlist.

Thanks to Ken and Barbara for organising a great preview ride. Also thanks to Ludo Macaulay, fundraiser from the Firefighters' Charity for event support and endless patience during the route recce!

Key Event Details

Three ride distances to choose from: 200km, 120km and 70km
Individual and Team challenges
First Inter Services sportive challenge for Armed Forces and Emergency Services
New 70km event distance for aspiring leisure and community riders
Three courses all inter-linked at controls / water stations around the routes
Supporting The Firefighters Charity

Route Support partners

Owens Cycles - Main control at Steep, Nr Petersfield
North HampshireRoad Club - Main control at Sparsholt, Nr Winchester
Local Fire Station staff - Marshals at HQ and Owens Cycles
Wiltshire Air Cadet corp - Welcome back for all riders at the finish

Highclere Castle location

Home to Lord Carnarvon - 2000 acres spectacular parklands in which to hold event
Ample car parking adjacent to Village HQ, Start and Finish
4miles riding on the private estate roads at departure and run in to finish
Easy access from J13 M4 and A34

200km - Features include

Inkpen Beacon - Scorpion Sting Double combination climb (16km)
Test Valley Run - (30km to 50km)
South Downs - Old Winchester Hill (100km)
South Downs - Harting Hill [120km]
Start Owens Cycles Control - Stoner Hill (134km)
Hannington Mast - 3mile drag climb to Mast (172km)
196km on open country lanes and only 4km (Winchester downhill bi-pass) on urban roads
3000m genuine climbing

For further information go to www.cyclegb.co.uk