Bucks Off Road Sportive - a brief history
The Bucks Classic started off 13 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, and was renamed in 2009 to 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 70 kms and 30 kms. The event has grown over the years and 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.
The 10th anniversary event featured an even harder route as the full distance rose 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 so there were some shorter distances to choose from.
Last year the bar was raised further with the long distance raised to 132 km.
This year thee is going to be 3 distances of approxiamtely 70km , 100 km and 132 , the toughness of the 100 and 132 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
Last year despite the events maximum field being increased by 100 to 600 a full field was attracted to this event which has become one of the MTB events you must do so we strongly recommend you pre enter to avoid disappointment.
This years event date is May 13th 2012
On line entry is now LIVE!! Click here to enter
For those wanting to ride this event in 2012 the date has been set and is May 13th, the event as usual will once again have 3 distances to choose from and although the routes are still currently being worked on and fine tuned the distances will be approximatley 70, 100 and 132 kms
Full details will be posted closer to the date of the event
We strongly recommend you to pre –enter early to guarantee your place
For those looking for a local MTB fix prior to the 2012 event check out the www.blackparkraces.co.uk site for details of some other WDMBC promotions including the Black Park Spring Races on March 4th
Due to refurbishment of the Martin Baker Sports and Social club this years event will start at the Chiltern Sports and Social Club, Maple Lodge Close, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 2SQ
No refund of entry fees will be allowed but transfer of an entry may be allowable at the organisers discretion.
Event Start times
132km - 8:30 a.m , 100km - 9.00 a.m , 72km- 9:30 a.m.
Having raised the longest distance for the last couple of years, we have stuck to the longest distance of 132km for this year which, off-road, is certainly a stiff challenge. It is possible to change your planned distance as the routes all follow the same start and changes can be made on the day depending on your fitness and weather conditions.
Pictures of the event will be on the following website www.simonslaterphotography.com
Anyone interested in joining the WDMBC and reaping the benefits of subsidised entries to events, team mates taking part in a variety of events from Iron man triathlons and 24hr Endurance races to short social rides both on and off road please get in touch
Future West Drayton MBC promotions you may be interested in are the “Night of the Knobbly Tread”, a short distance night time cross country race at Black Park and the Black Park Duathlon in October. Both events will feature a beginners/fun class.
Donations from money raised by this event will be made to the following charities, The South Bucks riding for the Disabled and the Chiltern Air Ambulance
Cheers
Chris Denman
Last Year's Event Sponsors
Event Sponsors - a special thanks to last years contributors Eat Natural who supplied their tasty cereal bars at the feed stations and The Feed Station kept riders hydrated at each of the feed stations.
Eat Natural and The Feed Station
