Welcome!
About the Sportive
This is the sixth Macmillan Harborough Sportive, organised again this year again by Welland Valley Cycling Club with the assistance of many volunteers.
Our aim is twofold: first to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and second, to encourage cycling for all abilities and ages.
All proceeds to Macmillan. Info on their work here.
Sportives are non-competitive events. Ride at your own pace. Press on or stop and survey the scenery at your will!
How to help?
Most obviously, enter a ride, but there are other important ways to help too. Offer to help on the day, raise sponsorship at work, from friends and neighbours, or at school. Alternatively, you could acquire some Macmillan cycling kit or simply take this opportunity to donate.
All Rides
All rides are on quiet roads or tracks through pleasant countryside. They start and finish at Grange Farm, Thorpe Langton, home of Langton Brewery. Refreshments will be available before and after your ride. All routes will be fully signed and a ‘broom wagon’ will be on patrol for breakdowns or transport. Consent forms will be needed for all under 18’s. Just bring yours, ready and signed, to registration on the day. Parking and toilet facilities are free.
Sponsors
Many thanks for the generous donations of our sponsors.
100km & 60km Road Rides
17km Family Off-Road Ride
100km Road Ride
Road Ride (101km/63 miles/1140m climbing) Start time: from 8am to 10am
The route is on quiet undulating roads which provides rewarding but challenging cycling as it crosses the scenic undulating vales of East Leicestershire and Rutland. The route heads north from the start and immediately gets the lungs pumping with climbs through Cranoe and Goadby and continues across a series of vales many with sharp challenging climbs before reaching the feed station at Braunston. Refuelled and refreshed the routes starts wending its way back to the start through some of the most historic and picturesque villages of Rutland. However, the intensity doesn’t drop with the long climb out of Lyddington set the test the legs before dropping down through Stoke Dry and skirting the idyllic Eyebrook Reservoir as you close in on the finish line at Thorpe Langton 20km away.
Under 18’s must bring a signed consent form to registration on the day.
£25/£15 (Adults/Under 18) (WVCC Members £20) On the day: add £5 plus sponsorship/donations welcome (Print Form)
60km Road Ride
Road Ride (62km/38 miles/640m climbing)
Start time: from 8am to 10am
The shorter route follows many of the same country roads as the 100km route and includes many of the challenging climbs that characterise that ride. The route follows the start of the longer ride before branching off before the 25km mark to miss out some off the north Leicester villages and head to the feed station at Braunston. For those hoping for an easier time beware as the route re-joins the longer route and tackles the stiff climb out of Lyddington and, after following the East side of Eyebrook reservoir, leaves the long route and heads up the strenuous ascent from Stockerston. Your effort is rewarded with stunning views over the Welland Valley and allows you to gradually drop down towards the finish 10km away.
At the end of the ride all entrants will be able to celebrate their achievement at the Brewery.
To download route: Click map (top/left) > ‘Actions’ > ‘Export’
Under 18’s must bring a signed consent form to registration on the day.
£25/£15 (Adults/Under 18) (WVCC Members £20) On the day: add £5
plus sponsorship/donations welcome (Print Form)
60km Off-Road Ride
Under 18’s must bring a signed consent form to registration on the day.
£25/£15 (Adults/Under 18) (WVCC Members £20) On the day: add £5 plus sponsorship/donations welcome (Print Form)
30km Off-Road Ride
Start time: from 8am to 10am
bridleways, byways and quiet country lanes as the longer ride. However, don’t be fooled into
thinking that this is an easy ride. Many of the sharp climbs and lovely flowing descents from
the longer ride have been retained to ensure this route provides a shorter but still potent
challenge. The route is suitable for mountain and cross bikes and does not include a feed
station on the course.
Under 18’s must bring a signed consent form to registration on the day.
£25/£15 (Adults/Under 18) (WVCC Members £20) On the day: add £5
plus sponsorship/donations welcome (Print form)
17km Family Off-Road Ride
Family Ride (17km/11 miles)
Start time: from 10am to 11am
The feedback from last year was that the family ride was too easy. So, we have made it
harder and also moved it off road to provide a safer and more enjoyable challenge.
Following the start and finish of the longer off road rides this route includes a challenging
climb out Cranoe before heading off across the fields to re-join the longer routes near
Goadby. The route is suitable for mountain and cross bikes and does not include a feed
station on the course.
To download route: Click map (top/left) > ‘Actions’ > ‘Export’
Under 18’s must bring a signed consent form to Registration on the day.
Under 16’s must also be accompanied by an adult.
Family Group inc a Goody Bag for each child:
£10 per adult/£5 per child plus target of £50 sponsorship per family.
(max 5 per adult – at least one adult per group)
Please print sponsorship/donation form and show completed form at registration on the day
Find your route to the start
Use this map to plan your route to the sportive.
To help plan parking, please let us know in your entry whether or not you intend to arrive in your own vehicle.
Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ