Don’t let the banner on the home page fool you – the Tour Ride Northampton is a sportive which celebrates the route of the final stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour.
It seems like someone designing the route page is expecting a predominantly male ridership – so we reckon it’s time women got entering to show we’re just as inclined to cover the 10, 40 or 80 mile routes devised to take in some of the key moments of Stage 5 of the Women’s Tour.
- When: Sunday 17th July 2016
- Where: Delapre Abbey, Northamptonshire, NN4 8AW
- Distances: 10mile Fun Ride / 40mile Intermediate Route (GPX)/ 80mile Pro Route (GPX)
Aside from our minor criticism of the current page design, we’re genuinely sure this will be an exciting day in the saddle and a great experience for those wanting to replicate the rides of the pros, or just have fun with the family.
Riders on the 40 and 80 mile routes will have the chance to climb the first QOM climb that the pro riders tackled – Newnham Hill – which was claimed by Hannah Payton of Drops Cycling Team on the day. Those taking on the 80 mile ride will also tackle the second QOM climb at Naseby which went to Cylance Pro Cycling’s Sheyla Gutierrez in 3 minutes 13 seconds.
All rides will start and finish at Northampton’s Delapre Abbey. Of course with the pros on the day cycling from Northampton to Kettering, the organisers have had to take painstaking care over creating a ride that covers a route as close as possible to the pro experience, whilst allowing for the fact most sportivers don’t have a convoy of team busses and cars to meet them at the other end.
The organisers haven’t messed around with the climbing, either. The 80 mile route covers 1583 metres – that’s just over 5,000ft, whilst the 40 mile route comes to 810 metres – which is about 2,600ft.
The family friendly 10 mile loop is suitable for those aged over 7 (or over 5 in a trailer or tag along) and gains just 85 metres, less than 300 ft. Designed to be an introduction to cycling along canal paths and marshalled cycle lanes, there’s even a break halfway at Upton Country Park, where there will be a selection of fun activates before a return to the Abbey.
All riders can expect to enjoy a fully catered for experience with all of the below covered:
- Event centre facilities and free parking
- Mechanical Support
- Full route signage
- Professional Event Photography
- Official Finishers Medal & T-Shirt
- Emergency event support
40 and 80 mile route riders only also get:
- Broom Wagon Service
- Free energy drink + energy snacks
- Electronic chip timing
- Post-ride food, refreshments
- Rider times available online
The 10 mile loop starts from £5, and others start from £30. There more information here, and you can sign up via British Cycling here.
