Local News

Sportive sign-ups surpass all expectations

27/06/2025

Its not too late to take part in the cycling challenge from Broughton Castle

Final preparations are underway ahead of Sunday’s Broughton Castle Sportive.

The number of entries for the annual cycling challenge, which is now in its 14th year, has surpassed all expectations.

The Sportive is organised by the Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell. Club President, Philip Brody, is one of the team who has spent the last ten months making sure everything will run smoothly on the day. He said: “There are so many other rides that we compete with, so it’s great that whatever we’ve done – and I suspect it’s a combination of things – has brought people in.

“We’re hoping for a field of almost 500 people on the day. I’ve been scrambling around buying extra medals because I feared that we would run out!”

The popular annual cycling challenge has five different length routes, for seasoned cyclists and family riders alike, but this year some of the routes have changed.

Philip said: “We were persuaded that we should add a 200-kilometre route, so we thought we would give that a try. It’s been quite a challenge…. I am full of respect for the ladies and gentlemen that are going to ride that route on Sunday.”

All the routes head out through the picturesque but hilly countryside around the Cotswolds. Its hoped cyclists will pick a distance suitable for their abilities, with other options including 160 kilometres, 100 kilometres and 40 kilometres. There’s also a much shorter family fun ride, so even younger children can experience the Broughton Castle Sportive.

Rotarians have spent the last week at Broughton Castle cutting the grass and preparing for the weekend. The “cycling village” infrastructure will be built tomorrow.

Philip said: “There’s a slight sense of nervousness of what could go wrong – last-minute road closures are always one of the hazards that can impact us, but I think because we’ve done so much preparation, we’re relatively relaxed about it.”

Since its inception the Broughton Castle Sportive has raised £96,267 for local good causes. Those who will benefit from this year’s event will be helping on Sunday.

Philip said: “We could not run this ourselves. We’re a small club and it needs a lot of people.

“Signing the routes, as you can imagine, is a huge challenge. We are very grateful to 1st Grimsbury Scouts for going and signing those routes for us. It’s a job we couldn’t do.

“A number of other people helping running feed stations. We’ve got Dogs for Good, the Friends of Agnes Court, and the Let’s Play project.”

The Katherine House Hospice are also involved at the Castle.

Tugo Foods in Adderbury will once again be supporting the Sportive by supplying free meals. Philip said: “They’re going to be providing over 500 meals to riders and volunteers – even family members – coming along on the day. It’s another massive contribution. So very, very generous of them.”

Anyone wanting to take part can still do so with online registration still open and you can also turn up on the day.

Listen here to our interview with Philip Brody: