Wiltshire Downs, 17th June

100 Mile Classic through an ancient English landscape

The Great Western Sportive has established itself as a must do event since it’s launch in 2010! A fantastic route that fits perfectly into our ‘riders rides’ ethos, with a full 100 mile top distance, this ride is big every sense!

Rolling across the ancient Ridgeway and winding through the beautiful Marlborough Downs, the route is a real treat, with broad, open roads echoing the sweep of the scenery. The folds of the Downs set you against a series of truly testing climbs, but this is a ride designed to reward every challenge, not just beat you into submission. Every summit marks the start of a long, flowing descent, with even longer and more languorous views. Beautiful old villages, pepper the route, and Cherhill White Horse remind you that you’re in an area with fascinating and far reaching history.

Nationwide HQ

Results Now Online

Thanks for riding the Great Western Sportive yesterday – we hope you had a terrific ride! Event results are available here:

Event Results

And don’t miss our our next two great Beach Cruiser Sportives! >>>

The Sussex Downs Beach Cruiser

June 30th

Enter Now

The Hampshire Hills Beach Cruiser

August 11th

Enter Now

Short Route

kilometres

Highest Point: 268m

Lowest Point: 102m

Max. Gradient: 16%

1061 Metres of Climbing

Mid Route

kilometres

Highest Point: 268m

Lowest Point: 91

Max. Gradient: 16%

1360 Metres of Climbing

Full Route

kilometres

Highest Point: 268m

Lowest Point: 85m

Max. Gradient: 16%

1910 Metres of Climbing

Venue

Nationwide HQ,
Pipers Way,
Swindon, SN3 1TA

Start Time

8:30am – 9:15am

Finish Time

Event Centre closes 3:30pm

*Routes run anti-clockwise. Final routes may change; check rider information before the event and on the day.

Mid Route

119 Kilometres

£31

Fully route marked by the event team
Route map for all riders
GPS files sent to pre entered riders (enter in advance to receive these)
Electronic rider timing with live finish line results.
2x feed/support stations.
Hot food and drink available at event base.
Emergency contact numbers for our team made available for you to carry with you.
Gold/Silver/Bronze Finishers Medals.
Free Event Photography.
Entry on the Day £5 extra.
Additional late booking charge my apply up to 2 weeks before the event

Full Route

164 Kilometres

£32

Fully route marked by the event team
Route map for all riders
GPS files sent to pre entered riders (enter in advance to receive these)
Electronic rider timing with live finish line results.
3x feed/support stations.
Hot food and drink available at event base.
Emergency contact numbers for our team made available for you to carry with you.
Gold/Silver/Bronze Finishers Medals.
Free Event Photography.
Entry on the Day £5 extra.
Additional late booking charge my apply up to 2 weeks before the event

Short Route

83 Kilometres

£29

Fully route marked by the event team
Route map for all riders
GPS files sent to pre entered riders (enter in advance to receive these)
Electronic rider timing with live finish line results.
2x feed/support stations.
Hot food and drink available at event base.
Emergency contact numbers for our team made available for you to carry with you.
Gold/Silver/Bronze Finishers Medals.
Free Event Photography.
Entry on the Day £5 extra.
Additional late booking charge my apply up to 2 weeks before the event

2017 Event Results

Event Logistics

On the Ride

Once you’re ready to start, report to the start / finish area with your timing chap strapped to your ankle. Listen to the short briefing and ride across the timing mat as directed. As you go around the route, you will find bright orange signs and ribbons to follow. At route divide points, you will find yellow signs showing you which way to go to follow the Full, Mid or Short routes. These should guide you around the whole route, but use your map if you think you have strayed off course or have a problem with the route navigation. There are also emergency contact numbers on the edge of your map. Ride safely at all times, and remember that you are on public rights of way and roads. This is not a race, so please ride appropriately, and be friendly and polite to other road users. At the end of the ride, pass over the timing mat once again, and hand in your timing chip. For those interested in there ride time, these will be available on the computer screen at the finish.

Checkpoints / Feed Stations

There will be between one and three manned support stations on your route (depending on your distance option). Look out ofr the yellow and black “Checkpoint” flag as you arrive. Please slow as you approach support staions, as other riders may be pulling out back onto the road.

At these checkpoints, you will be able to top up on food, water and energy mix. Our team will also be on hand to help you with mechanical and other support issues. Some checkpoints may feature a mid ride timing mat – please look for the “Timing Point” sign as you arive at the checkpoint and pass over the mat as instructed. Passing through these points helps us to run and time the event more effeciently, so please do use them as directed by our team.

Entry on the Day

You can enter the event on the day, although there is a small surcharge of £5 (so pre entering is recommended). Just arrive before the end of the registration period and pay at the desk.

Registration

Go to the registration desk on your arrival. If you’ve pre-entered via the internet or posted your entry, you’ll have a timing chip on an ankle strap to collect at the desk. If you haven’t pre-entered, pay at the desk and a chip will be allocated to you. Collect your colour A4 map at registration also. Next, get yourself ready to ride.

Following the Route

Follow the orange signs and orange ribbons (you will shown samples of these at the ride briefing) regardless of which route distance you are riding. Everybody follows orange. At route divide points, you will see a set of yellow signs, with “Full Route”, “Mid Route” or “Short Route” written on them, pointing in different directions. At this point, follow the right sign for the route you are riding. Once you get beyond the route divide point, you will start following orange signs and ribbons again.

(Please note, in spite of our best efforts, signs can go missing or be tampered with during the course of the day. Make sure you pick up a copy of the route map at event registration, and carry it with you for use if needed. We also send out GPS files to all pre entries prior to the event, so if oyu want ot have the route on your phone or GPS device, sign up online now!)

Food and Drink

Hot and cold food and drink and snacks will be available to purchase from the event centre before and after the ride. (Including our ever popular home made chilli!)

2017 Event Photos

All photography by Tim Redgrove. Photos are hosted on our Facebook Page; please feel free to share, comment and tag your friends.