Demand for more beginner friendly rides has lead organisers of the UK’s leading women-only sportive series, Macmillan Cycletta, to add more 20km routes.
It is hoped that the addition of the 20km routes will encourage women looking to take up cycling, and the distance could be ideal for someone participating in their first major event.
Five events within the series will now include a 20km distance, offering ladies an alternative to the existing route options, which vary from 50 to 150km.
The longer 150km routes were added earlier this year, in response to demand for greater physical challenges – now the series can say it offers something for nearly every female rider looking for a sportive.
Existing events, which wind through quiet, safe and well-managed roads, have proved highly successful, with over 10,000 women taking part over the last three years.
Liz Hemming, Cycling Challenge Events Programme Manager from Macmillan Cancer Support said: “It is such a rewarding experience taking part in an event like Macmillan Cycletta and raising vital funds for charity in the process.”
Cycletta joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support before the 2014 events began, and she added: “Many participants raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and we believe the 20k distance will very much appeal to a wide spectrum of fundraisers of all abilities, as well as those ladies who may be entirely new to cycling as a sport.”
Event organisers, Human Race oversee the series, and Marketing Director Dan Lipman said: “We’re very much listening to what our participants are looking for from an event and ensuring their needs are met. We’re delighted to include the 20k distance in the Macmillan Cycletta Series and look forward to getting many more women involved in the event series this year.”
Girls as young as 12 are able to take part in the rides, and there are food and drink stops, plus goodie bags and marshalls on route. You can sign up here – and this year’s events include:
Macmillan Cycletta @ Wiggle Dragon Ride, Sun 7th June 2015(Margam Park, Port Talbot, Wales) , Distance: 42km
Bedfordshire (Woburn Abbey), Saturday 20th June 2015Distances: 20km, 40km, 70km
Perth, Scotland (Scone Palace), Sunday 19th July 2015Distances: 20km, 50km, 100km and 150km
Guildford, Surrey (Loseley Park), Sunday 6th September 2015Distances: 20km, 50km, 100km and 150km
New Forest (Beaulieu Palace), Sunday 20th September 2015Distances: 20km, 50km, 100km and 150km
Cheshire (Tatton Park), Sunday 27th September 2015Distances: 20km, 50km, 100km and 150km
If you’re looking for more information, check out our post ‘Everything You Need To Know: Cycletta Events in 2015′.
