A 5am start and 130 miles to drive before you even turn a pedal isn’t everyone’s idea of a day out on the bike! It was a mix of work and leisure for my first sportive of the season and having read the pre-ride report by Marcin Bialoblocki of Team Velosure-Giordana back in February who said, “it would test early season legs on the first 2 mile climb”…begged the question, what legs?!
Even though there were steeper climbs still to overcome after the first slog, the Wiltshire Wildcat Sportive is probably the most beautiful sportive in England! This sportive based at Salisbury Racecourse in Wiltshire criss-crosses the medieval Drovers Trails, Saxon villages of Wiltshire and North Dorset.
The constant views over the Downs were simply stunning against a brilliant blue sky. The route from the racecourse drops down to follow the River Ebble which runs parallel to the Ox Drovers trail, through iconic Saxon Villages until Long Bottom where the toughest climb crosses the Drovers Trail up onto Ashmore Down. On the top of Ashmore Down where you have stunning views of Sheppards Bottom and Mebury Wood. Then onto Fontwell Magna and the River Stour Valley which takes you through fabulous countryside and villages, until Sutton Waldron, where another demanding climb brings you to the top of Sutton Hill. There were two feed stations on the Standard route with gels (one per rider), savouries, jelly beans, sandwiches, hot drinks and SiS energy drinks. Of course I stopped at both with a colleague who was riding his first sportive in 7 years.
Well done James for smiling or was that grimacing all the way round. There was roving mechanical support from Shimano, who I saw at one point on the road side fixing a snapped chain, whilst back at HQ Conti tyres were there checking pressures, tyre types or repairing punctures. Back in the saddle between Feeds 2&3, Smugglers lane connects you to the old Roman Road and an interesting section through the “Tarrants” until you arrive at ‘the Cliff’. A sharp hairpin bend starts the climb along Garston Down and further along to Woodminton Down, past old Hill Forts, until the route drops sharply away over the Ox Drovers Trail back down to the River Ebble. The final section is completed by the final climb home, back to the Racecourse, where there were some very weary walking bike pushers. No matter, with a finish medal, coffee and sandwich everyone appeared to have a great day out – even the drive up the A303, M3 and around the M25 was enjoyable for a change.
Outside temperature touched 21 degrees. How brilliant was that for March. Book me in for next season although this time I’ll reserve some overnight accommodation. There were three routes to choose from: Epic-80miles, Standard-62miles and Short-34miles. I rode the standard at a very leisurely pace – amazing how enjoyable a ride is with your head up and not chewing the bars!
