Epic Cycles Spring Challenge - Sunday 11th March 2012 - Entry OPEN!

The fifth Epic Cycles Spring Challenge takes place on Sunday 11th March 2012 - but starting in Ludlow this time as we have moved the shop there. One big bonus of the new location/route (as well as being though some lovely new Shropshire scenery) is Ludlow's shops, castle, restaurants and other attractions for non-cycling family members!

Entries are now OPEN - here (on-line ONLY - not via phone or post), and is likely to sell out very quickly!

The Spring Challenge is being organised by our Road Club rather than the shop itself, so for further updates please check back here or "like" us on Facebook rather than contacting us in store, as our shop staff probably won't have up to date information!

The idea behind the Spring Challenge is to provide riders with perfect preparation for the bigger challenges to come as the season gets under way, while raising some cash for charity at the same time (this year our nominated charity is the Perry Group Riding For The Disabled Association - http://www.perry-rda.org/ ) . Over in Italy there are lots of lower key events in the Spring that act as true early season challenges in their own right, while not being the huge undertakings that most Gran Fondos are.

For latest news (including route details and rider list) please visit the Spring Challenge Facebook page.

The Epic Cycles Spring Challenge is intended to be just like the Italian mini (or Corto) Fondos. It won't be a fully supported event like the Autumn Epic - more of a halfway house between a cyclosportive and a reliability ride. It costs just £10 to enter, and will include:

A picturesque and hilly 57 mile route - fully way-marked, with routecard as backup
The route will be published on-line two weeks prior to the event (after final road checks have been completed)
Goody bag, including sports nutrition
Car parking
On site toilets, changing and showers at the HQ (South Shropshire Leisure Centre, just down the road from our new store)
Manual timing
Sport photographer
Hot drinks at the finish

The Spring Challenge won't have some of the things that you might expect in a full long-distance cyclosportive or century ride, like mobile mechanics (all riders will be issued with a contact number for use in an emergency only - not to summon a taxi home!) and food stops out on the course, as we have kept all costs to a minimum in order to maximise the money raised for charity, while holding the entry fee down to £10.

Don't be fooled into thinking that this is an easy ride though - this lovely countryside route is hilly throughout. The route is mainly on B-roads and quiet unclassified country lanes.

The entry limit for 2012 will once again be kept to 200 riders, so we expect to fill up fast (we sold out in 5 days last time with the same limit). We lhave been asked by many riders to increase the entry limit, but we like the intimate feel of the Spring Challenge and it keeps logistics manageable for our volunteer helpers!

The route for 2012 will be very different to past routes as we have moved the shop to Ludlow - but there will be just as much climbing as ever, with three especially testing climbs around the Knighton/Clun area!

As many of the lanes are bordered by thorn bushes and are sure to be a little pitted by winter weather we strongly advise that all riders take at least two spare tubes with them - remember there is no "broom wagon"!

Event registered with British Cycling.