TOUR DE NOR­THA­MPTON­SHI­RE CYCLOSPORTIVE - X, XL, XXL

The ‘Tour of the Villages’ X (30 mile), ‘Reservoirs & Aerodromes’ XL (40 mile) and XXL (60 mile) sportive is an event suitable for all abilities and takes cyclists through picturesque Northamptonshire villages and countryside, following quiet lanes with a few cheeky hills thrown in!
A well-stocked feed station for all distances at Great Cransley Village Hall will be providing a selection of tea, coffee, homemade cakes, and an opportunity to top up water bottles to get you on your way to the finish, where a medal awaits! There is an additional feed station at Sywell Village Hall for the XL and XXL where you can top up water bottles and grab a snack. The event has mechanical and medical support.

 

The Tour De Northamptonshire is a three distance circular event starting and finishing at Naseby Village Hall just outside of Northampton in a wonderful central location only 5 minutes from Junction 2 A14.

The Tour of the Villages X (30 mile) route begins with a long descent past Cottesbrooke Hall & Gardens, before the climb into Brixworth, continuing the undulating course through the villages of Walgrave, Broughton and Thorpe Malsor, before the gradual climb back to Naseby passing by Harrington Air Base War Memorial and Kelmarsh Hall.

 

Reservoirs & Aerodromes XL (40 mile) route also begins with a short descent out of Naseby before climbing up to Cold Ashby. You will then ride past Hollowell reservoir, cross Ravensthorpe Reservoir before continuing along the undulating route into Brixworth and the welcome descent to Pitsford Reservoir causeway. Heading into picturesque Sywell village you will pass the Aerodrome before reaching the first aid station at 18 miles. Heading back out close to Sywell Reservoir you continue through stunning countryside and villages to the next feed station at Great Cransley Village Hall (28 miles). The final push back to Naseby will take you past Cransley Reservoir, Harrington Aerodrome and War Memorial, and Kelmarsh Hall.

 

Reservoirs & Aerodromes XXL (60 mile) route follows the XL route to Cold Ashby but stretches out to Yelvertoft and West Haddon before heading back to Hollowell and Ravensthorpe Reservoirs. Crossing the causeway of Pitsford reservoir you will head to picturesque Sywell Village, past the aerodrome to the first feed station (26 miles).  The route then takes in a loop around Sywell Reservoir before heading up to Broughton village via Orlingbury. You will then reach the final feed station at Great Cransley (39 miles). Heading out to Thorpe Malsor past Cransley Reservoir, onwards to Harrington Aerodrome and the War Memorial, the 60 mile route continues to Braybrooke close to the River Jordan, before heading back south to Arthingworth, Kelmarsh and into Naseby to the finish.

 

COURSE MARKING
The routes will be marked electronically with a free ridewithgps voice cue navigation app  and some markigs with biodegradable paint as a back up

REGISTRATION
Registration opens at 07.30 and will be inside the Village Hall. You will receive two race numbers – one to attach to your bike helmet and the other to the front of your bike. Please make sure that both numbers are always clearly visible.

START TIME
Registration will open at 07.30. Riders should not arrive more than 30 minutes before their route start time. This is to prevent queues forming at registration and toilet facilities. There will be a rolling start with groups of around 15 riders setting off at 5-minute intervals.

Reservoirs & Aerodromes XXL (60 mile) route start time: 08.00-08.45

Reservoirs & Aerodromes XL (40 miles) route start time: 08.30-09.15

Tour of the Villages (30 mile) route start time: 09.00-09.30.

AID STATION
There are two feed stations – Sywell Village Hall and Great Cransley Village Hall.

Great Cransley is available on all three routes and will provide water, tea, coffee, homemade cakes, and snacks. Toilet facilities will be available.

The feed station at Sywell Village Hall is accessible to riders on the XL (40 mile) and XXL (60 mile) routes. There will be the opportunity refill water bottles, with snacks available.

AGE LIMIT
Minimum age for the event is 14 years old for the 30 mile route and 16 years old for the 40 and 60 mile routes.

PARKING
There is lots of free parking at Naseby Village hall.

CUT OFF
The cut off time for the event is 14.30, by which time all riders should have crossed the finish line. Any riders on the XXL (60) route that do not feel confident about finishing within the cut off time may change to the XL (40 mile) route at any of the course splits – please inform us if you change route when you reach the finish line. Any riders on the XXL (60 mile) that have not reached Sywell Village feed station by 11.15am will be asked to continue the ride on the XL (40 mile) route. This is to ensure that all riders have safely completed the course within the cut-off time.

CHARITY ENTRIES
If you wish to register for a charity place please click here for a full list of charities.
HEADPHONES
Headphones are not permitted for safety reasons. However it is permissible to wear one ear bud/wireless headphone to listen to the voice navigation

TOILETS
There are toilets at the start and finish in Naseby Village Hall and at Great Cransley Village Hall.

WHAT TO WEAR
Mandatory Kit

Bike (well maintained)

Helmet (must meet minimum BSEN1078 safety standards)

At least one refillable water bottle with minimum 500ml capacity

Spare inner tube, tyre levers and pump

Mobile phone for emergencies

Weather appropriate clothing

Working Red rear light

 

Recommended Kit

First Aid Kit

Additional basic tools

Working front light

Additional snacks if required for dietary needs

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
The following mobile numbers should be added to your mobile phone:

Course Director           07989 850170

Should you encounter a life-threatening medical emergency at the event you should call 999 in the first instance and inform the Race Director at the earliest opportunity.

If you or a fellow competitor requires first aid in order to continue, then call the Medical Support number and inform the Race Director at the earliest opportunity.

If you need to fix a puncture or undertake any repair of your bike without the need of assistance, then please make sure that you move to a safe place away from the side of the road. Should you require mechanical assistance, move away from the side of the road, call the event director number, give location, and turn your bike upside down so that the mechanic can clearly identify who needs help.

It is very important that you know your exact location as this will prevent any unnecessary delays to the medical/emergency services. It will also help the mechanic to locate you quickly. It is recommended that you have access to a phone app such as What3Words or a Route Map (such as Google Maps). Please ensure that you know how to use the App prior to the event.

FINISHERS MEDALS
All finishers will receive a medal .

OS MAPS
The routes are covered by OS Map 223/224.