Last Sunday, 2nd July, saw the largest turnout yet for Bike Bath, the annual cyclosportive which is now in its sixth year, with over 1,000 riders taking on one of the three routes ranging from 25 to 80 miles.
They were able to enjoy the countryside scenery, the local produce at the feed stations and the blazing sunshine.
Participants were joined by Bath Olympic stars Amy Williams and Heather Fell, ITV Cycling presenter Yanto Barker, and the Mayor of Bath.
Amy, who is Bike Bath’s women’s ambassador, was riding in her first cycling event since the birth of her son Oscar. In an Instagram post afterwards she said: “Felt incredible to be back on my bike, total freedom. Although my legs were weak, it didn’t matter. I was loving it.”
Bike Bath was started six years ago, and while it has grown considerably since then, expanding to sister events in Oxford and Chester, it keeps a very local feel.
John’s Bikes and Julian House Bike Workshop were on hand to tune up riders’ machines at the start, the feed stations boasted tasty fare from Marshfield Bakery and the Bath Soft Cheese Company, fitness specialists Urban Training Systems and Physio Impulse warmed riders up and smoothed out post-ride aches, and a post-ride bar stocked with Bath Ales beer and cider did a brisk trade.
Riders were full of praise for the event, which unveils three new routes every year. Gemma Abbott said: “The 25 mile route was challenging with the added weight of a two year old but we all had fun and took full advantage of the cheese and biscuits at the feeding station.
“Thankfully what goes up must come down and the final descent was well worth the endless climb!”
Paul Blackburn, another parent riding, said: “It was my son’s first experience of a sportive and feed station. He couldn’t believe the selection and amount of food. And with the friendly people there we could have stayed a lot longer.”
Organiser Richard Best said: “Six years after we began, it’s fantastic to see Bike Bath continue to grow and attract new riders to the area.
“We can offer fantastic riding, beautiful scenery and great food and drink, all within a short distance of the city, and it’s obviously good enough to keep people coming back for more.”
As well as challenging local cyclists on the hilly terrain of Bath and Wiltshire, the event also raises funds for a number of local charities including Dorothy House Hospice. The donations collected for 2017 are still being counted but it is hoped they will exceed last year’s total of £6000.