The South West Property Sportive is a non-competitive road sportive. For legal reasons, the Sportive will be started in small waves of riders at set intervals.
The registration will be open from 9.00 am onwards (click here for start times or your wave).
The three courses are fully marked, but every rider will be given a small ‘backup map’ in case the marking is not 100% clear or gets damaged/removed. Around the course, you will find 1-3 feed stations (depending on course length) where you can fill up with drinks and a great selection of snacks. Alongside the energy backup, mechanics will be out there trying to help anybody with any technical problems. There will be 1-2 broom wagons patrolling the courses to pick up anybody struggling to finish.
Three different courses will be on offer (distances are approximate):
All routes start from the Somerdale Pavilion and will head southwest towards Chew Valley Lake and depending on the course length, up onto and beyond the Mendips.
All courses share the same beginning and ending and stay together up to the clearly marked split points on the way out and re-join at various locations on the way back to Keynsham.
The relatively flat 35km long CLASSIC Sportive will make its way through Keynsham before leaving the main roads and heading towards Pensford. After crossing the A37 the course meanders on quiet country lanes to Bishop Sutton, where it splits from the 70 and 100km course. While the two longer courses head south up onto the Mendips, the short course turns right, making its way towards the edge of Chew Valley Lake, where the feed station awaits. After a quick refresh the route re-joins with the 70 and 100km courses and turns toward Chew Magna. After a short but fast section along the B3114, the routes go through Norton Malreward before once again crossing the A37 and making their final descend towards Keynsham, back to the finish location at the Somerdale Pavilion.
Leaving the CLASSIC Sportive in Bishop Sutton the DISTANCE and CENTURY Sportive start their assent towards the top of the Mendips. The gradual climb continues all the way to the feed station, roughly 33km into the ride. Shortly after the two courses part, with the 100km long CENTURY Sportive starting the descent to the bottom of the Mendips, the 70km long DISTANCE Sportive continues on the undulating roads and lanes along the top of the Mendips. Less than 10km separates the 1st from the 2nd feed station on the DISTANCE Sportive, and it is just ahead of the 2nd feed where the two long courses re-join and carry on their route back towards Chew Valley Lake. On their way there they will enjoy breath-taking views over the lakes, fast paced sections aplenty and quite undulating country lanes that keep the legs spinning and the interest high. Turning towards the northern end of the lake, all three routes will re-join and continue their way back to Keynsham.
After splitting with the 70km long DISTANCE Sportive, the CENTURY Sportive starts their 1st descend off the Mendips towards Westbury-sub-Mendips and makes its way across the moors south of Cheddar, before heading up the iconic Cheddar Gorge climb. Once at the top, it doesn’t take long for the 70 and 100km course to re-join near the 2nd feed station and together enjoy the descent off the Mendips. From there they make their way back towards the Chew Valley Lake and eventually to the finish in Keynsham.
Once you’ve managed to complete your ride and come over the finish line, make sure you don’t just race past the timing crew as you would miss out on a great afternoon of free food and the chance to share a few riding stories with your fellow sportive riders.
Somerdale Pavilion
Cross Street
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 2FW
Car parking is very limited at Somerdale Pavilion, and we would encourage everyone to come by alternative means of transport, such as cycling or car. For every ‘non parking person’, we will be donating £5 to Wheels for All, the national cycling charity with safe and supervised cycle facilities across the country, including Bristol.
Limited alternative parking is available at Keynsham Station (Station Road, BS31 2BN Keynsham) and the car park off Keynsham Road (BS31 2DE).
You will find contact numbers on the briefing page of this website, on the handout briefing and on your number board. These numbers are for emergency use only. Please ensure you take your mobile phone with you.
The event and registration will be open from 9am onwards. Simply make your way to the registration hall (in the main Somerdale Pavilion building) and find your name on the signing on sheets.
After you have signed and provided your personal mobile number (so that we can reach you while out on the course if needed) and your emergency contact number, you will be given your briefing (back up map on reverse) and your number board.
Once you have fitted your number board (it holds the timing chip on the back), checked your bike one more time and when your start time is approaching, you can make your way to the start line/arch.
There you will be given a verbal briefing and some last-minute updates before you can start your ride. Simply follow the signs and make sure you obey the highway code and have a great time on some of the nicest roads the area has to offer… and all that for a good cause.
9am Event, facilities and registration open at the Somerdale Pavilion
10am – 11am First start wave: CENTURY Sportive (100km course) leaves the Somerdale Pavilion
11.30am – 12.30pm First start wave: DISTANCE Sportive (70km course) leaves the Somerdale Pavilion
1pm – 1.30pm First start wave: CLASSIC Sportive (35km course) leaves the Somerdale Pavilion
4pm Course closes/riders have to be back at the Somerdale Pavilion
There will be two medi-cars on the courses. See map/briefing (which you will receive at sign-on) for contact details.
There are changing rooms and (communal only) showers at the Somerdale Pavilion. There is no provision for secure storage or valuables. The organisers are not responsible for any loss of property.
Please ensure that you bring enough water and food with you. There are up to three feed stations (course length depending) around the course. However, please be aware that the stations are for replenishing your supplies rather than being relied upon as the only source of your provisions. There will be after ride food provided, and there is a bar providing soft drinks and bottled alcoholic drinks.
For a donation to charity, BW Cycling is offering light servicing and repairs. Please be aware they may not always be able to meet demand. This service should not be relied on to fix existing problems with your bike.
The broom wagon will sweep up riders who fall behind the required time limits, or anyone having difficulty finishing. The courses close at 4pm and we are expecting all riders to have finished their ride by then.
The after-ride meal will be available when you get back from your ride. We are going to have a BBQ (or similar) from approx. 4pm onwards.
The prize giving will take place during the after-ride dinner.