“Mmm, I’ve never tasted such delicious cake in all my life,” we heard one rider mumble through a mouthful of crumbs. The Bike List riders, Claire and Oliver, were half way into the 100k Richardsons Rumble, at the fuel stop outside the Black Horse Inn, Nassington. An enviable array of sleek, carbon-framed road bikes were resting against the pub wall, but the moist, raisin-rich fruit cake was definitely stealing the show and doing a great job of re-energizing everyone’s tired legs.
Now in its third year, the ride, organised by Wheels In Wheels, starts outside Richardsons Cycles on the main street in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire. This ‘Come and Try’ sportive takes a rolling route along the country lanes to the south and west of Peterborough, passing through pretty villages with old churches, thatched cottages and newly built or converted farmhouses. There are no big mountains or scarily long climbs, so this event is great for those getting used to the mileage (there are 100k and 100mile options), improving their fitness or simply enjoying a day out on the bike. There is also a 6 mile family ride starting a little later at 11am so that absolutely everyone can get involved.
Gliding past clearly visible sign after sign on the route, we decided that the price for this sportive was a great selling point, especially attractive for those new to cycling. For £17 you get a very well marked route, ample food at the fuel stop (there are two stops on the long route) and a voucher for free beans on toast and a cuppa at the local Café opposite Richardsons Cycles once you’ve finished.
At this price, chip timing is not offered, so you get a friendly, old school stopwatch start from the Richardsons Cycles guys outside their shop. Okay so it’s not to the nano second, but for riders in training and those just out to enjoy the day, the level of accuracy is perfectly adequate.
Beginners watch out if you opt for the 100k ride – we found it was actually 112km, which was great as you get more miles for your money, but our legs didn’t half know about it! Similarly, at the finish, a sleek-looking rider said the 100 mile course was actually 106 miles, so if you do this ride next year, just save a bit of juice for the end.
All in all we had a great Sunday morning ride over not-too-hilly and mostly quiet roads and The Bike List would thoroughly recommend this sportive both to those new to road cycling and south-eastern and centrally based riders wanting to get in the miles in a friendly atmosphere.
A chat with organiser Graham Temple at the end even revealed the source of the incredible fruit cake. Would you believe it? Costco. Rumour has it they make it on site. But if you go and find stocks are low - The Bike List can guarantee Graham will have been there before you buying plenty of fruit cake for Wheels In Wheels' next event.
For more sportives throughout the year visit www.wheelsinwheels.com
Photography by George Burgess
Posted on Monday, 4 April 2011
