Andy from Team Cycling Plus joined Simon & Geoff the Verenti Kilo To Go Event Organisers for a total soaking to pre-ride The Verenti Rut sportive (Rutland, 3rd October). Lots of rain, green fileds and quiet roads. Roll-on the Indian summer! Here’s a sneaky peak of some of the route and the rain they enjoyed that day. Did I mention it was wet?

It has now been just over 5 months since we took delivery of our Verenti Millooks, and started our transformation into road cyclists. At first it was all about getting used to the bikes, the gears and the clip in pedals. We cycled mainly on flattish roads, or rolling hills for the first 4 to 6 weeks, building up from around 20 miles to 40 miles over this time.

We figured some things out very quickly such as the importance of a good chamois in our cycling tights. We found that our fitness levels increased rapidly, and over 3-4 weeks the time taken to cycle known routes could be decreased quite markedly. I (Nic) also had a shorter stem fitted as I was struggling to comfortably reach the brakes.

By April it was fair to say that we had been bitten well and truly by the cycling bug. It was time to put more thought into our training and start to set some targets. We have been using the Garmin Edge 500 to monitor heart rates and cadence, enabling us to know which heart rate zones we were training in. This is an area which we find easier to understand as physiology was part of our undergraduate training- training horses and cyclists is not that different it seems! As the distances and hills have increased I have also had to pay more attention to diet both pre and during rides, although at first drinking and eating whilst cycling and not losing balance and falling off was enough of a challenge.

The first major target we set ourselves was a 50 mile sportive- Squires and Spires in Northamptonshire. Having worked behind the scenes at the Verenti Cheshire Cat (organised by KILO TO GO) we had a bit of an idea what to expect, however what we did not expect at the start of May was such cold and windy weather! We cycled in every bit of clothing we had brought with us! Cycling with so many other cyclists around us was unnerving at first, but we soon got used to that. The cycling was surprisingly hilly, but with lovely scenery and villages to enjoy in a part of the country we would otherwise never have visited.

The next major target was a 75 mile sportive (Roses Round) in Lancashire and Yorkshire in mid June. To some extent choosing sportives has been based around available weekends rather than ideal distances and ascents. It turned out the ascent on this sportive was much more than we had calculated from putting the route in the sat map, nearer to 2000, than 1000m. We did manage to finish though, and we were not even the last! We are finding that the challenge of cycling longer and longer distances is a mental one as much as a physical one. There is also the challenge of finding the hours needed for longer rides, as we are both busy vets with nights and weekends on call.

When we started the challenge back in March, the idea was to go from zero to 100 miles in a season; in June we decided that our 100 mile ride would be the Stoke on Trent stage of the Tour of Britain at the end of September, which is over the actual route ridden by the professional riders on the tour. Initially I thought this would not be too hilly being near Stoke, but once the route was published I could see there was approximately 2500m of ascent as the route goes into the Peak District, so we had actually picked a pretty hard sportive for our ultimate challenge. We live pretty close to some of the hillier Peak District parts of the route, so we have been able to use these in training. We have no other specific sportives organised over the summer, but have spent time in Cornwall training on the Cornwall Tor route and in the surrounding area. We have also ridden the route for the Verenti Wild Edric sportive which is the first weekend in September. The main focus of the training is to do successively longer rides on weekends in the weeks leading up to the 100 mile route, with 2 or 3 shorter 2-3 hour rides in the week if time allows.

We are currently in the Black forest area of south west Germany to do some more riding/ holidaying. We are in good company as this is where team T Mobile have done some of their training. The cycling and scenery is fantastic, although some of the ascents are incredibly long, many over 10 miles.

We have quite a following on facebook now, which is great as people have lots of tips and helpful advice for us. I have even found myself browsing cycle magazines in the magazine aisle at the supermarket! All in all looking back over the last few months we are really pleased with how we have progressed so far.

This September, cycling fans across the UK will have the chance to take part in Britain’s best bike race. Once again The Tour of Britain has teamed up with The Prostate Cancer Charity to deliver a unique cycling experience for you to ride in the tyre tracks of the world’s best professionals.

As a special incentive for Wiggle subscribers we are offering anybody who signs up via the Wiggle newsletter a chance to win an exclusive prize. All cyclists will be entered into a prize draw to win two places to ride in an official race car on an actual stage of the Tour of Britain. We are even throwing in VIP hospitality for the day and a signed jersey!

Wiggle Super Series announces end of season cycle festival in the New Forest National Park

The hugely successful Wiggle Super Series is excited to announce its New Forest 100 Sportive on October 3 will now be part of a two-day cycle festival set in the beautiful New Forest National Park.

UK Cycling Events, organisers of the Wiggle Super Series, is working with the New Forest National Park Authority to expand the sportive and provide riders and families with an action-packed weekend. The festival will include a mountain bike/cyclocross event with three route options on Saturday, October 2, as well as a hill climb event, live music, entertainment, BBQs, food, refreshments, children’s rides and activities and great offers for overnight accommodation. Riders taking part in the MTB/cyclocross event will be able to choose from a 44-mile route, a 25-miler or a family fun 10-mile option.

The road sportive will be the main focus of attention on Sunday, October 3, when riders will be able to choose from the Epic 100-mile route, the Standard 66-miler or the fun 44-mile option. The course sweeps through the New Forest’s network of quiet roads, taking in some challenging but short hills such as the 25 per cent Blissford Hill. Martin Barden, of UK Cycling Events, said: “We are hugely excited to be working with the New Forest National Park Authority to host this cycle festival. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a brilliant year of events which have been so well attended. A weekend of family fun is the best way to enjoy getting out on your bike.”

The hill climb event on Saturday afternoon could prove to be the perfect warm down for those in action earlier in the day – or act as a great warm up for the sportive riders. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 riders in two categories (road riders and knobbly tyre riders) as they climb the 1km course just outside Brockenhurst. The event is being run in partnership with New Forest Cycling Club.
Anyone interested in taking part in the weekend is urged to enter soon to avoid disappointment as last year’s sportive was a sell-out success. Entry fees include electronic timing, well stocked feed stations, event photography, bike wash facilities, clearly signed courses and plenty more.

To enter the New Forest 100 Sportive visit www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Events/ or to find out more about the festival weekend visit www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk. For an insight into riding a Wiggle Super Series event in the New Forest National Park check out this video of the Spring Sportive, which took place in April:

For event information please contact Martin Barden on 07545 137133.

Join Simon Thompson, Verenti Kilo To Go Events Organiser with Gareth & Nic from Team Kilo To Go while they put themselves and their Verenti Millooks to the test in the beautiful scenic countryside of Shropshire as they preview the Wild Edric sportive.

To book your wild ride please visit Kilo To Go Book early to avoid disappointment!

A huge thank you to all of those that turned up to the Wiggle Super Series Hayward’s Heath Howler last weekend. With over 450 entries tied in with a beautiful location and stunning countryside this was an event not to miss. For those of you that couldn’t make it you can check out the video below.

The next Wiggle Super Series events will be on Sat 2nd Oct, Falling Leaves MTB & Sun 3rd Oct New Forest 100 held in beautiful Brockenhurst in the heart of the New Forest.

Wiggle Super Series Falling Leaves MTB – Click to enter

Wiggle Super Series New Forest 100 Road – Click to enter

Website: http://www.kilotogo.com/Wildedric

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With a leisurely 9am start and much revised route for 2010 set amid the suitably legendary countryside of Shropshire and the Welsh Marches, the Wild Edric is named after the local folk legend. For 2010 we make use of more open yet quiet roads. The area used for the Verenti Wild Edric is a real pleasure to cycle in – relatively traffic-free yet accessible from mainline rail and motorway.

For this year, we’ve taken a close look at the ride profile for this event. An easier route with 3 fantastic climbs (2 on the shorter route). We’ve mixed up some short climbs, brake free descents and rolling roads and spread them out across the Shropshire countryside. The views at the southern and northern ends of Long Mynd will have you reaching for your camera, once you’ve got your breath back from the climb! “Wild Edric” was a saxon Lord on a large scale, owning much of Shropshire.

He fought against William the Conqueror having allied with the Welsh princes of Gwynedd and Powys. He is also mentioned in the Domesday book. It is said that Wild Edric is not dead, but lives on, imprisoned around the West of Shropshire where he would spend days hunting around the Long Mynd, the Stiperstones and through the great Forest of Clun. All of which is in and around Verenti Wild Edric.

Ride the sportive of mysteries and folklore, and see if you meet the legend that is, Wild Edric!

A great weekend for all was had last weekend at the Wiggle Super Series Mega Meon Event. Check out the Video below. Don’t forget the next Wiggle Super Series event on the 1st of August Haywards Heath Howler! See you there!

What a blazer of a weekend we had, well done those of you that braved the heat during the Wiggle Super Series Long One & South Downs Epic events I’m sure you were rewarded with great conditions for riding.

We have received the event videos below which highlight what a superb day it was for all involved. Don’t forget The Wiggle Super Series Mega Meon event on July 10th is still open for enty. To place your entry follow the link below.

Wiggle Super Series Mega Meon Entry.

So Many Sportives So Little Time…..

There’s no excuse for not signing up for a sportive this month as Wiggle and Verenti Bikes spoil riders for choice with a wide range of events around the country.

After the huge success of the Verenti Dragon Ride on June 6, this Sunday (June 13) it’s time for the MagnifiCat sponsored by Verenti. After four years at Highclere Castle, this year the event has moved venue to Newbury Racecourse which means riders will be able to enjoy first-class facilities and easier transport links. There are three route options: the 127-mile MagnifiCat; the Route80Cat (81 miles) and the CommuniCat (51 miles) plus the KiddiCat, a fun multi-lap circuit for children. Those keen to snap up a last-minute place are urged to act fast as online entries are due to close tomorrow (Thursday June 10). There will be limited entries available on the day. Visit www.cyclegb.co.uk to enter now.

Keen to ensure roadies aren’t left out of the action at the ever popular Original Source Mountain Mayhem weekend (June 18 – 20), this year sees the first Verenti Sportif at Mountain Mayhem where riders can choose between the 50km or 100km routes. The Herefordshire countryside and Malvern Hills will no doubt provide a stunning backdrop for these rides. With so much included in the entry fee (free camping for rider + family all weekend, goody bag, entry to the festival village, electronic timing and plenty more), it’s no surprise to hear this event is very nearly sold out. Organiser Pat Adams has extended the closing date to Wednesday June 16. More details and entry is available on road.cc’s website at http://road.cc/mountain-mayhem-sportive

If those events aren’t enough to tempt you, maybe you’re saving yourself for the final weekend in June when there will be not one, not two, but three different events taking place. The KILO TO GO team will be staging the Verenti Flatout in the Fens on June 27, which promises “no hills whatsoever, but plenty of superlatives to get over”. At 156 miles, it’s the longest sportive you can do in a day in the UK. Riders can also choose between the 112-mile and 73-mile routes which wind their way through the beautiful Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire countryside.

The 112-mile route proves perfect training for Ironman triathletes looking to test themselves six weeks out from Ironman UK. For more details and to enter online check out www.kilotogo.com

Tired yet? If not, then you might be after riding The Long One, which is part of the Wiggle Super Series. This event, on June 26 starting near Goodwood, is certainly not for the faint-hearted: the Epic route features more than 3000m of climbing over 126 miles, but there’s also a Standard route which is 66 miles. For those who prefer off-road action, on June 27 there’s the Wiggle Super Series South Downs Epic from the same venue. This MTB event offers some of the best mountain biking in the South Downs with ride options of 70km and 36km. Electronic timing, well-stocked feed stations, clearly signed courses and bike wash facilities are just some of the many benefits on offer. Visit www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk to enter.

Wiggle and Verenti Bikes look forward to welcoming you to one of our events soon.