Bucks Off Road Sportive - a brief history
The Bucks Classic started off 11 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 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.
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 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 11th Bucks Off–Road Sportive takes place on May 16th, 2010
Download the 2010 Entry form
here
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances
we have had to move the event from our regualr anniversary date
to the new date of May 16th 2010
Click here
for a list of current entries as at 1st Feb 2010
Entries for this event our progressing
nicely - we were told by British Cycling who host our on line
entry system as well as providing the insurance for the event
that they were revamping their on line facility and it would
be live by Mid Jan. The gremlins are still apparently in the
system and as yet they can not give a definitive date as to
when it will be resolved.We would therefore strongly recommend
that you revert back to the trusty postal system and download
an entry form and send it in with a cheque to guarantee a place
in this years event, SPACES ARE LIMITED TO 600 RIDERS AND IS
EXPECTED TO SELL OUT
2010 Event Information
The start and finish is once again at the Martin Baker sports
and social club (Martinsfield, Tilehouse Lane, Denham Green,
UB9 5DA), 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. All finishers
this year will receive a special memento.
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 numbered.
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
A donation from each riders entry this year is going to be donated
to local charity the South
Bucks Riding for Disability Group, who have up to 100 disabled
horse riders in their group and cater for riders of all abilities.
The Group relies totally on donations and we as a club think
that this organisation which offers successful and life changing
therapy, recreational educational and sports riding opportunities
in safe and secure surroundings is a worthwhile cause and we
look forward to raising some money for them.
CYCLE HELMETS MUST BE WORN.
Event Sponsors
2010 Event Sponsors will be announced soon
The Bucks Off Road Sportive was kindly sponsored in
2009....
Eat
Natural and For
Goodness Shakes and The
Feed Station
