The Severn Bridge Sportive has not one but two unique selling points. The first is that the event starts and finishes at Castle Combe motor racing circuit and incorporates a lap of the track. As for the second USP - well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Registration opened from 7am on Sunday 30th August, and there were sufficient marshals and plenty of parking on hand at the track. There was a slight issue that the parking was a fair distance from the registration and start line. I was advised by a steward to get changed and ready and cycle to the start rather than signing on and then getting ready. There was no queue for signing on and I got a timing sticker for my cycle helmet and a number with cable ties to attach to the handlebars. There was a mechanic on site dealing with bike problems and hot drinks were also on offer.
Riders were due off from 8am in "manageable" groups at approximately two-minute intervals. In reality, by the time I was ready to start at about 8:30am it seemed that most people were already on the road. As soon as four of us had assembled at the start line we were given the shortest of briefings and were on our way. The briefing was basically "follow the signs and stay safe". No problem for a sportive veteran, but someone tackling this type of event for the first time might have wanted a little bit more input.
The overnight rain had continued into the morning although it was not too hard. It did produce quite a spray off the back wheel as I pedalled round the first half of the wide open circuit. A narrow lane then took the course off into the more usual country roads and rural landscapes.
The price of entry was £35 for either the 100 mile or 66 mile route. The shorter route was an "out and back" across the original Severn Bridge, and a substantial part of this used the same roads in both directions. There were a mixture of quiet, narrow lanes and more main roads, although these were not too busy due to the early Sunday start. The course was fairly flat with no major climbs as it worked its way westward across South Gloucestershire. In the last few miles before the Severn Bridge there was one lane that was especially muddy, looking more like a cyclocross route, and also a couple of shortish hills.
The second unique aspect of the sportive was the actual journey across the Severn Bridge. Other sportives also take this route, but always using the pedestrian/cycle path on the side of the bridge whilst it is still open for traffic. However, on this Bank Holiday weekend the whole bridge was closed to traffic and it was possible to cycle across and back on the roadway for those involved in the event.
There were a couple of bridge maintenance vehicles around, but otherwise you could pick your line from two full lanes on the westbound carriageway. The eastbound carriageway was being used by the runners in the Severn Bridge Half Marathon at the same time, but there was no clash between the two events.
Once across the bridge it was just a mile or two to the only feed station, situated at a community centre on the outskirts of Chepstow. There was plenty of variety to choose from, including sandwiches, apple pies, nuts, cakes, jelly babies, gels and hot drinks. There were tables and chairs to sit and socialise whilst contemplating which route to take: the split was immediately after the feed station.
The longer route had an extra loop around the Wye Valley using part of the course from the UCI Ladies World Cup race in 2005. The steepest section was Star Hill, followed by a return to the same feed station as before for second helpings. I can't comment on that part of the course because I opted for the shorter route on the basis that I was flying away on holiday the next day and hadn't yet packed my suitcase. This course retraced the steps back over the Severn Bridge and also took in a slightly hillier route on the return journey. Overall, there didn't seem to be too much climbing.
On arrival back at Castle Combe the rest of the race lap circuit was completed and the finish line crossed. A goody bag was given to all finishers, including a water bottle, and there was free pasta (but no gluten-free option). In addition there was even an ice cream van which, surprisingly, did have a couple of takers in the rain.
The whole event was well signposted and incorporated roving medical cover. The website and GPS downloads were comprehensive, as expected from a sportive that is now in its fifth year. The short route was a fun ride, without being too challenging on the gradient front as there was less than 1000 metres climbing. The longer route had about 1800 metres of ascending by comparison. This would be a good sportive for a group of friends looking for a social ride with a twist or two, without looking to bring themselves to their knees on the hills.
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