Hot but happy cyclists return from epic Sportive challenge
30/06/2025
The 200km route for elite cyclists now rivals some of the most difficult rides in the UK
Cyclists from across the country made their way to Broughton Castle yesterday for the annual Sportive cycling challenge, organised by the Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell.
Five routes were on offer, ranging from a shorter family fun ride and the 40 km Cotswold Tour, up to the new 200 km Cotswold Monster, which looped out as far as countryside to the south of Cheltenham and Gloucester.
Tom Giddings planned the routes and was pleased with the comments from the returning cyclists. “We’re getting really positive feedback from the riders,” he told us. “It’s really nice to freshen up the routes, making sure we’ve got something that’s new to keep it interesting for people. We get a lot of returning riders so we make sure they’ve got a new challenge ahead of them.
“If you choose to do our 200 km, or 125 mile ride (in old money), it is one of the most difficult rides in the UK now we think. It’s up there with the Fred Whitten and the Dragon Ride in terms of the distance and the elevation climbed. It’s just a relentless day in the Cotswolds.”
480 riders took part, with funds raised going to support the work of local organisations, many of whom were involved in the event.
1st Grimsbury Scouts have helped at the Sportive for the last six years. Alex Lyczkowski told us about the crucial work they did to ensure the Sportive ran well on the day and the cyclists knew where to go. “We have to sign four routes and we started signing those on Friday”, he told us. “It took nine hours to sign the 200 km route and then five hours to do the shorter routes as well – that’s two cars. Then on Monday we’ve got to go and take it all down again!
“The Scouts ‘Embers Explorer Scout Unit’, who meet at 1st Grimsbury Scout Hut, they’ve done the parking. We’ve also helped put up the large tent, we’re taking down the large tent and we’re also covering the gate.”
Teams from the Wellesbourne Wheelers returned, completing the 100 km route and hoping to retain the Presidents Cup which they have won for the past five years. Gary Gristwood said: “The weather did us a favour. We thought it was going to be brilliantly sunny and hot, but we had cloud cover all the way, which was good.
“Fingers crossed that we have won it … We’ve come in in a time of 3 hours 42 minutes – hopefully that will be good enough.”
The Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell President Philip Brody was very happy with how the event had run. “I’m pretty delighted,” he said. “We’ve had not too many incidents, just a few mechanical, but no injuries, so I’m absolutely delighted.”
The team trophies and cheques from the proceeds for local organisations will be handed out during a presentation evening on August 26, when the total raised this year will also be announced.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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