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Spirits high after successful Sportive despite soggy morning
08/07/2024
The annual cycling event is organised by the Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell
Despite a wet morning, spirits were high for the annual Broughton Castle Sportive on Sunday, with warm sunshine greeting cyclists as they returned from their ride.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell, the event offered cyclists a choice of five routes, ranging from a five mile family fun ride up to a 100 mile course into the Cotswolds, featuring a number of challenging climbs.
Phil and Sarah returned to Broughton Castle in good spirits having completed the 20 mile route which Sarah described as “wet and hilly, but a lot of fun.”
On cycling in the rain Phil joked: “It sort of gets wiped out with the moaning from behind! But other than that it’s just one of those mental things – you’ve just got to keep going and go for it.”
Sarah added: “It was great. At the feed stop halfway everybody was really friendly. The cake was amazing and we’ve just laughed all the way through!”
Several hundred people took part in the Sportive with those on the longer routes setting off early on Sunday morning. A number of families headed to Broughton Castle at lunchtime as warm sunshine replaced the morning rain.
Paul Clement oversaw the Sportive for the Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell. He said: “We have a massive amount of returners each year who love the Cotswolds and love the route. But in addition to that we’ve had swathes of people today that are here for the first time ever and people who have decided on the day that they’d like to take part and have registered this morning.”
Those returning to Broughton Castle were treated to a meal supplied by Tugo Foods from Adderbury, who catered for 700 people free of charge.
A team of at least 50 volunteers oversaw the event at the Castle. Many more people marshalled at feeding stations and checkpoints and 1st Grimsbury Scouts set up all the signage around the five routes.
Cyclists from the Wellsbourne Wheelers take part in the Sportive every year. For the last four years they have been the fastest team on the 50 mile route and on Sunday they were hoping for another winning ride.
Gary Gristwood said: “We didn’t bother with our rain jackets because it would have cost us time – we were wet anyway, so we just carried on.
“There were some serious climbs. We rode it as a team, which was the intention and hopefully riding it as a team and sticking together has seen us win it for a fifth time, but that remains to be seen.”
Money raised at the Sportive will benefit local good causes.
Philip Brodey is the President of the Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell. He said: “We’ve supported charities now for about twelve years with this event and what we like to do is support the charities that come and help us with the event. It’s not exclusively that, but that’s where most of the money is funnelled.
“Banbury Scouts [1st Grimsbury] will be a recipient as well as Cherwell Division Guides. Katharine House Hospice are here; Dogs for Good are running one of the feeding stations; Let’s Play Project are running another feed station; Agnes Court are running another. These are some of the organisations that will share in the funds from the event.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam