“The Isle of Wight has it all,” say the organisers of the Wight Riviera Sportive cycling event that takes place on 20th May. Quite an accolade we’re sure you’d agree. Cyclewight tell us more. Ed
The Wight Riviera Sportive brings true south coast cycling chic to the sportive scene!
The first ever event to use the new Sportive Avantage format, the Wight Riviera is a celebration of the sportive form; a ride with roads, scenery and atmosphere to savour at every turn!
25km closed road loop
The atmosphere is there from the go, with a mass start lead out from Yarmouth harbour front, leading into the 25km closed road Avant loop; an innovation in sportive course design that brings a new and exciting edge to the event!
After a short, controlled rollout, you’re released to enjoy the traffic free Avant loop, taking you past the iconic Needles and through pretty Freshwater Bay before the coast road climb of Compton Down cranks up to separate the men from the boys.
The loop returns back north through the west Wight countryside and concludes with a quick circuit back at the event centre in Yarmouth, and then straight back out on the open roads for the rest of the sportive.
The Isle of Wight opens up to you from here, with a low lying north western leg concluding at Carisbrooke Castle, before the long, straight climb over into Shorwell deposits in the heart of the Island hills.
Miles of beautiful country lanes
Steep chalk downs rise across most of the Island, and are criss-crossed by miles of beautiful, quite country lanes.
The route uses these to full effect, leading you on a grand tour of this south coast gem. A classic downland profile racks up the climbing to give you a proper test, while the scenery provides classic English countryside, villages and sea view after sea view to lift your spirits and spur you on!
See the Island at its best
This is a small island with a big heart and wealth of opportunities to offer the cyclist; discover it at its best on the Wight Riviera Sportive!
For more details and to register for the event see the Cycle Wight Website.
To get a flavour of what to expect see this video produced by My Isle of Wight
