Bucks Off Road Sportive - a brief history
The Bucks Classic started off 10 years ago when after members of the club had taken part in the Hell of the North Cotswolds for a few years the club felt that there was a call for a similar event nearer to London.
As the event was going to be in the County of Buckinghamshire it was decided the event was going to be called the Bucks Classic,(now renamed for 2009 the Bucks off-Road Sportive ) although based on the Hell of the North the club wanted to improve on the HONC as the event is popularly known and the main problem club riders had with the HONC was the lack of directions arrows so that was the main priority to mark the whole route, no mean feat when you go along 100 km of twisting bridleways and small lanes.
The event started off with one route of 30 km, which then rose to 40km, and then with the input of top route designer Steve Keating 100 km with two shorter versions of 70kms and 30 kms. The event has grown over the years and has recently moved its headquarters from the Denham Country Park to the near-by Martin Baker social club which allows riders to shower and make use of a fully licensed bar as well as a cheap supply of refreshments along with a big car park.
This years 10th anniversary event features an even harder route as the full distance has risen to 121 km which must make this one of the hardest off-road sportives if not the hardest one day event on the calendar, however the club wants to encompass all standards and there are 4 distances for this year.
The toughness of the 100 and 121 km events should not be underestimated although the hills in the Chilterns are not as high as those in other parts of the country the constant undulating climbs certainly take their toll and the single track can be tough going in places.
So what are you waiting for round up your mates and get those entries in. Although entry on the day will be available subject to pre-entries we strongly recommend you pre enter to avoid disappointment
The
Bucks Off–Road classic reaches its 10th anniversary year on May
10th, 2009
ON LINE ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED
THERE ARE SPACES TO ENTER ON THE DAY
POSTAL ENTRIES ACCEPTED UNTIL 1ST POST FRIDAY
The start and finish is at the Martin Baker sports
and social club, this is an ideal location close to Junction
1 of the M40 a few miles from the M40/M25 interchange which
makes travel to the HQ very easy and the HQ is within riding
distance from Central London and there are trains stations close
by at Denham --over ground and Uxbridge –underground
Facilities at the HQ include a large car park, changing, toilets,
showers, catering as well as a licensed bar. Along the route
there are two free supported feed stops on the longer route
and one on the 70 km route where Maxim have provided some of
there excellent energy bars to speed you on your way. We do
recommend you are self sufficient (including puncture outfit
and tools) and carry enough food for the day with the feeds
stops looked upon as a bonus- ride times can be around the 7
hr + mark for the longer routes.
There are a few village stores and country pubs on the route
of which a number do food if you prefer to take a leisurely
ride round the route rather than blast along to set a fast time.
Awards-There are no prizes for the fastest finishers and although
times will be published they will be in alphabetic al order.
All finishers this year will get a special memento T-Shirt As
well as the route being marked all riders will be given a map
and directions in order to assist them in knowing exactly where
they are on the route the route is a mixture of bridleways and
quiet lanes with every off-road section numbers.
Those that have GPS can download a file on entering. Groups
of riders will start at regular intervals between 9 and 10 to
prevent any conflict with other users. We ask you to ride sensibly
to safeguard the future of this event and not to discredit the
sport of mountain biking
CYCLE HELMETS MUST BE WORN.
The Bucks Off Road Sportive is sponsored by....
Eat
Natural and For
Goodness Shakes and The
Feed Station
