Sunday 17th June 2012 saw the return of the "Hitchin Nomads Going Beyond Sportive".
In celebration of our club's 80th Anniversary, the sportive, was designed in 2011 as an 80Km circuit taking in pretty villages and rolling countryside. Due to popular demand an 80 mile loop was added for the 2012 event. Based on some of the club's favourite training rides, the two courses had a real mix of pleasant leafy lanes, through to demanding out of the saddle climbs. For the budding Cavendish types there was also ample chance to sprint for the village "30" signs too.
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| Hitchin Nomads CC riders take a breather after ascending the hills near Hexton. |
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| HNCC riders beginning to get organised on the roads near Potton. |
The routes diverged after a mile or so from the HQ (Hitchin Rugby Club) with the short course (50 mile) riders heading west through Pirton and the 80 mile course heading north through Letchworth and Steeple Morden and off on a loop that took in the club's time trial course near Old Warden. The routes eventually merged in the pretty village of Apsley End before bringing riders back on common ground to Hitchin. Both routes took in quiet stretches of winding country roads with some glorious landscapes thrown in, a few gentle undulations and plenty of relaxed riding. Plus the monster hill at Hexton (evil grin).
By the time the riders arrived at the scheduled feed station at Emily’s teashop in Whitwell, many were pleased to take advantage of the surroundings and the chance for a brew.
Newcomers to Go Beyond events were generous in their praise for the signature fruit cake. Some riders were seen to spend a considerable time shooting the breeze with their riding colleagues before continuing their tour of Hertfordshire. Pedants will have noticed that neighbouring Cambs and Beds were also covered.
With over 100 riders completing the two courses and universal praise being offered for both routes, the Sportive is set to become a popular local event in future years, i.e. offering excellent value for money and an all round great day's riding in good company for a great cause.
Teach Africa
With all proceeds from the event going to UK charity Teach Africa, thereby providing an opportunity for schooling to some of the brightest children from the Nairobi slums, there are many reasons to celebrate this bright new fixture to the sportive calendar.
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| Not quite the Chippendales, but what did you expect after 80 miles.... |
Our thanks are extended to all riders for making this such an enjoyable day, to Corby Photography who covered many miles capturing the ride, Emily’s teashop for a restful break from riding, and all supporters for making the event so memorable for all the right reasons.
Thanks to our many sponsors, including local staple and eponymous all round wannabe comedian Paul's Bikes of Hitchin. All riders were eligible for a rather tidy commemorative cycle jersey and certificate. Significant thanks are due to Nick Senechal, Keith Rapley, Frank Turner and Andrew Stevenson and the HNCC Committee for getting this thing off the ground. Well done to all - apologies to any one else whose name may have been omitted from this initial roll of honour.
Some impressive rides and a lot of happy smiling faces
at the end which makes it all worthwhile.
Photographs will be available on http://www.corbyphotography.co.uk within
the next few days.
