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, with all proceeds going to the West Midlands Air Ambulance, and will include:

• A picturesque and hilly 50-mile route - way-marked, with routecard as backup
• Free 750ml bidon of sports drink at the start, with a water stop en route
• Sport photographer - photos will be available within 24 hours at www.georgeburgessphotography.com
• Food at the end (tea/coffee, cake, sandwiches)
• Car parking in the grounds of Kyre Park gardens (worth a visit in their own right while you are here)
• Registration, toilets and changing in Epic Cycles, which will be open for the day
• Demo bike try-outs
• Sports Massage after the event for £5.

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 an contact number for use in an emergency only) and food stops out on the course (although you will pass through the small town of Clee Hill which has a number of shops, and we will have a water stop at 25-30 miles). 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 (over 5000ft of climbing in all), and takes in the highest hill range in Shropshire (the Clees).  The route is mainly on B-roads, with a bunch of unclassified country lanes thrown in for good measure. 

The entry limit for 2009 is 200 riders, so we expect to fill up fast (we sold out in 3 weeks last year with the same limit).

The route for 2009 will be a little different to 2008 as we like to vary things - but 90% will be unchanged, and there will be just as much climbing! As a many of the lanes are bordered by thorn bushes and pitted by a winter of snow and ice we strongly advise that all riders take at least two spare tubes with them. 

Event registered with British Cycling.

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