Local Cycling Club Lays Down Challenge For Sportive Title Contenders
Cycle Mickleover, a well-established cycling club based in the city with over 235 members, is laying down the gauntlet for other clubs and company groups to snatch their Team Challenge title in this month’s North Derbyshire Challenge cycle sportive.
Over 30 Cycle Mickleover members took part in the Spring Classic Sportive, with the ten fastest members lifting the Team Challenge trophy, sponsored by Geldards LLP in Pride Park, Derby.
Due to holiday and other sporting commitments, only a few members of the club are entering the North Derbyshire Challenge on Sunday September 17 which starts and finishes at Markeaton Park.
They are therefore challenging other teams to gear up for the event – although they warn that they will be back in force to regain their title in spring 2018.
Team leader Dan Donovan said: “We were delighted to clinch the Geldards Team Challenge trophy at the Derby Spring Classic Sportive and were very happy with all of our riders’ performances.
It’s a shame that we will not be defending our title at the North Derbyshire Challenge but the field will be wide open for a new champion. Whoever wins should not get too comfortable though as – we’ll be back!”
The North Derbyshire Challenge cycle sportive on Sunday September 17 is organised by Cycle Derby and HUUB Events.
As well as individuals riding in the event, the Geldards Team Challenge is an opportunity for up to ten cyclists to work together in an attempt to travel the greater distance.
The tie-breaker in the event of a draw in the Team Challenge will be the King and Queen of the Mountain challenge, sponsored by Derby-based Document Network Services (DNS), which will see a 700m uphill stretch laid with timing chip technology and then the fastest male and female riders winning the title.
Hundreds of cyclists of all ages will set off in stages from Markeaton Park and tackle one of four distances – 40km, 80km, the newly introduced 120km and the 160km.
All routes will initially head out to Carsington Reservoir with the longer distances winding through the Peak District before returning to Markeaton Park.
There are regular food and water stations along the routes, supported by Springs Cleaning and High 5 Nutrition.
Mark Smith from Cycle Derby concluded: “Cycle Mickleover worked together as a team very effectively at the Derby Spring Classic and it will be interesting to see who takes over the mantle at the North Derbyshire Challenge.
Sportives are a great social event with a competitive edge. It is not a race but a personal challenge and riding as a team is a great way of getting out and about on a set route with friends, colleagues and family to enjoy a great day’s cycling in some stunning countryside.”
The sporting event will raise money for Ashgate Hospicecare, a charity based in North Derbyshire, who provide care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
To enter the North Derbyshire Challenge, visit www.huubevents.com