In association with Cycling Time Trials, Andover Wheelers presents the Andover Wheelers 24 including round five of the RTTC Classic Series and round eight of the South DC Sporting Series.
This is the popular P614 24 Hardriders course, a challenging sporting event for road bikes and para cyclists, through the stunning Hampshire countryside, in the Spring. This course has everything to challenge the rider due to the variety of smooth gradients, steep descents and a couple of climbs to keep the blood flowing, and to test rider's bike handling skills. This is an event for the thinking rider, knowing when to push and when to recover.
Riders can use the four mile ride from the event HQ at Collingbourne Ducis to the start on the layby just east of Ludgershall for a warm up, or there is limited parking at the layby at the start.
The first three miles is flat and quick to the left turn. Then a steep descent flattening out for the next two miles to the next left. Then there's a steady half mile climb up to the roundabout and onto a good surfaced road to the Newbury road at the seven and half mile point. A challenging climb to the top of Hurstbounre Prior hill then a serious descent to a challenging (approach with caution) left turn at nine and a half miles.
Settle down in the saddle for the next seven miles of flat road following the River Swift to Oxenwood. Turn left and it's a short sharp climb and an opportunity to get out of the saddle. A bit of a descent to mile eighteen and a half and then playtime's over! The reward for climbing Wexcombe Hill is a nice descent and a couple of lumps to the finish.
A mile or so back to HQ for a brew and cake, and to check your time.