Promoted by Winchcombe CC and Cheltenham & County CC – 13 April 2008
Event Report
At 09.00 hr on Sunday 13th April around 1000 riders readied themselves at Winchcombe School for the traditional mass start of the event by Mrs Dorothy Dyason, one of Winchcombe's oldest residents who will shortly celebrate her 100th birthday.
This year's event was run in good weather but recent rain had produced some gruelling conditions and a real test of endurance, for riders and bikes, particularly over the off road sections.
A measure of how tough the conditions were is that the leading rider on the 100K route, Alan Coldray came home in 5hr 30 min.- around an hour longer than last year and the leading rider on the 50K route came home in 3hr 05min – around 30 minutes longer than last year.
Congratulations and commiserations to the last 3 riders back who truly endured the "Hell of the North Cotswolds", finally coming home in fading light at 20.00hr!
Riders completing the routes were presented with a certificate and medal.
Finally a big thank you to the team that put the event together, 60 plus volunteer marshals and other helpers on the day: Gloucestershire Police, the St. John Ambulance team, Winchcombe School, Cleeve Conservators, Cleeve Ranger Dave Stevenson, local landowners and Chapel Hay Catering. Without their incredible support our event would not be possible.
