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A firm favourite of ours, The Tour of Wessex is the biggest multi-stage cyclosportive in the UK. It provides 3 days of epic West Country riding with all types of terrain on offer. Many clubs attend and you quickly make friends out on the road. Our package includes entry, group accommodation locally, online training plan, OTE nutrition and an ATR cycling jersey for each day.
Keen cyclists have been making the yearly pilgrimage to Somerset ever since 2006 to take on the challenge of 3 days of cycling while enjoying West country hospitality, and the exceptionally fine food & drink.
Expect quintessentially English countryside though the lanes and byways of the South West. Each individual stage has its own unique mix of monuments, history and challenging terrain which sets it apart from other events; add the challenge of riding three days back to back and you have truly unique event. The Tour of Wessex features 3 stages:
Stage One - 101 miles or 78 miles
Stage Two - 119 miles or 79 miles
Stage Three - 111 miles or 64 miles
Each stage starts and finishes at Huish Episcopi Academy in Langport which provides outstanding facilities including a swimming pool, cafe and cinema. The pool is available to Tour of Wessex participants free of charge and Screening of cycling and adventure films will also be taking place throughout the day.
Route highlights include: Cheddar Gorge, Stourhead House and Alfreds Tower, Somerset Levels Nature reserve, Corfe Castle, Jurassic Coast, Milton Abbas, Cerne Abbas Giant Hill Figure, Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills ANOB.
Prices from £250pp Enquire Now£100 booking deposit required in order to reserve your space.
Please be aware that we are limited in numbers for this event.
Non-cycling partners are welcome - please enquire and we can provide a bespoke package for them.
Start Times
08:00 each day for the Standard and Medium routes.
10:00 for the Family ride on Saturday
Route Signage
The Standard route(s) are signed, with YELLOW and BLACK event signs. 100 mile (stage 1) 120 mile route (stage 2) and 104 mile route (stage 3).
The Medium distance route(s) split are signed with RED and BLACK event signs. 78 mile (Stage 1), 79 mile (Stage 2) and 643 mile (stage 3)
Please pay attention to Highways road signs particularly those that indicate road hazards such as cattle grids; these can be very slippery in the wet. We have also added extra warning signs for sharp bends and steep descents. Please be careful on narrow sections of road and descents, keeping a safe distance between yourself and the rider in front, especially in the wet.
Safety Points
You will be riding on the open road alongside other traffic so it is essential for your own safety and that of all other road users that you comply with ALL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
Please ensure you obey any instructions given by the moto marshals and pay particular attention at traffic lights, roundabouts and difficult turns.
As we are providing back-up facilities we must insist that your supporters, friends and family do not bring any vehicles out on the route to follow you as this may create congestion and could be a danger to cyclists and other road users.
In the event of an accident – If you are involved in a serious accident requiring immediate medical attention then ring 999, then the organisers event support number. The route is patrolled by National Escort Group riders that are on hand to assist. For minor injuries there are basic 1st Aid kits at each of the feed stations.
Assistance During the Ride – Should you require assistance please phone the event organisers number. We strongly recommend that you add these numbers to your mobile phone and keep with you at all times during the event.
There are cut-off times at which the moto marshals will stand down. The sweep vehicle will be traveling along the route at 20kmh/12.5 mph and will be collecting signage as it goes. If it catches up with you, you can either be transported to the finish or if you wish to continue on at your own pace you may but be aware these will be no signage. The finish closes at 5:30 pm each day. If you arrive after this time you will not receive a time or finishing place for that stage
N.B. If you decided to continue after the sweep vehicle has passed you, you will have to navigate your own route, and you will also no longer be covered by the event support services. If you do this, or drop-out at any other stage, then you must call the organiser to report this to the event team.
Riders Code of Conduct
You will be riding on public roads, so you must obey Highway Code regulations. Any rider seen not complying with the code could be reported and we are obliged to provide their details to the police.
Litter – There will be litter and recycling skips at the event HQ and at feed stations. Please use them and don’t drop any litter it gives cyclists a bad name!
Ride Guide
Traffic Regulations: Although there will be traffic management at key stages of the event, plus support from police and local authorities in planning the event, the Tour of Wessex Cyclosportive does take place on public roads, so you need to follow Highway Code regulations just as you would on a regular ride. You should be confident that you can ride in the following road conditions:
Marshaling: The Tour of Wessex Cyclosportive relies on mobile moto safety marshals and arrows at key points along the route, to keep you safe and on track. Therefore, its in your interests to follow the instructions of all marshals and event officials. You should be aware that marshals are only in place should you get into difficulty, not to control other traffic.
Sportive, not Race: The Tour of Wessex Cyclosportive is a non competitive event. Whilst many experienced cyclosportive riders will be keen to record a quick time, the event is not a race so do not treat it as one. Your safety and that of other road uses is paramount.
What Bike:
When choosing a bike for the event, you need to take into account your ability to maintain the minimum average speed cut off of 20kmh (12.5mph) over the route distance. Therefore an efficient, comfortable and well maintained bike is essential.
What to bring:
Although the event will be supported by Shimano Neutral service, and feed stations en-route, we still recommend that you bring a multi tool, two spare tubes, tyre levers, a working pump and adequate hydration and food. You are strongly advised to bring a mobile phone and a small amount of cash in case of emergencies, enabling you to keep in touch with event organisers. In your registration pack you will find a foldable ride guide that will fit in your jersey pocket that you should keep with you for the duration of the ride, it contains key event emergency numbers.
What to wear:
All riders are advised that it is compulsory to wear a correctly fitting cycle helmet that conforms to current UK safety standards. Sorry, no helmet, no ride.
Because the event takes place on the public road, you are strongly advised to wear hi visibility clothing of some sort. Being that the event is held at the end of May, weather conditions can change rapidly! Therefore, we advise that you wear adequate layers, arm and leg warmers, gilet and a waterproof jacket. We recommend that you wear proper padded cycling shorts and a pair of cycling mitts, both of which will also add to your comfort levels on what will be a long day in the saddle for even the fittest of cyclosportive riders. It has been known to be sunny at that time of year, so make sure you protect yourself with a high factor sun block!
Dropping Out:
If you decide to drop out of the ride for any reason, you must let the organizers know by calling the event contact number published on your ride guide so we can account for you and make arrangements for the return of your timing chip.
Medical Cover:
First-aid cover will be provided by St John’s Ambulance for the whole event. There will also be back-up and sweep vehicles operating throughout for those riders who require them. Should this be the case, please either report to the nearest marshal or call the event organisers on the numbers given in this pack.
Mechanical Cover:
There will be 3 Shimano neutral service vehicles on route and mechanical assistance located at feed stations , you will be charged for parts but we will try to get you back on the road if at all possible.
Refreshments:
Refreshments are provided as follows:
HQ – Pre-booked breakfast will be available from 6:30 am each morning at the HQ. Other refreshments will be available to purchase all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 7:00 am. There will be hot/cold drinks, food, cakes, snacks and sandwiches from 10:30 am each day.
En-route – There will be three feed stations en-route, approximately every 40 km (25 miles)
Toilets:
These are provided at the start, finish, and at the feed stations so there will be no need to attend to the call of nature in public! If you are seen urinating at the start, in any urban areas, at feed station or any other public place you will be removed from the event and your details passed to the police. You have been warned!
Showers:
Are located at the HQ in the leisure center.
After the Finish:
You will finish the event each day at the HQ, once you have passed the finish line (at which point your finish time will be recorded) you are asked to clear the area to allow room for the next finishers. You will be directed through the finish site where you will collect your medal. Your timing chip is disposable so you do not need to hand it back . However if you are riding more than one day please remember not to damage your chip which is located on the back of your number board.
Finish Times:
An alphabetical list of finishers and times will be posted on www.tourofwessex.com the day after the event.
Age categories will be as follows:
A : 18 to 29 years
D: 50 to 59 years
B : 30 to 39 years
E: 60 years and over
C: 40-49 years
F: Para Cycling
* To calculate Women’s age categories add 20 minutes
Time bands are printed in the event program.
Event HQ
The Start/Finish and Registration are all located at Huish Academy, Wincanton Rd, Langport TA10 9SS
Event HQ
The Start/Finish and Registration are all located at Huish Academy, Wincanton Rd, Langport TA10 9SS. Our accommodation will be within short drive or ride from the start/finish unless otherwise advised at the time of booking.
The closest international airports are Bristol (38 miles), Heathrow (100 miles), Southampton (60 miles), Exeter (60 miles).
Drive time: Bristol to event – 40 mins, Heathrow to event 2 hrs.
Train service: From Heathrow take airbus to Reading then a train to Castle Cary or Taunton (Somerset). Or airbus to Woking and a train to Yeovil.
Sea
From St Malo, France to Poole, Dorset. 4hr 30 mins Condor Ferries
Road
Rail
Coaches
We recommend bringing your own bike for this event due to the duration.
