The Kington Classic Sportive

This is a charity ride - all proceeds after promotion costs will be used to fund local good causes in and around the Kington area. All helpers involved on the day will be volunteers from the Kington Lions Club (see www.kingtonlions.org) which is an independent charity under the auspices of the Lions Club International organisation (see www.lionsclubs.org/).

The event starts and finishes in the Herefordshire / Wales border town of Kington and most of this year's new route is over the border into the beautiful countryside of mid-Wales. The event is not a race - the slower you go the more time you will have to appreciate the quiet lanes and Borders scenery including river valleys and moorland vistas. There are no mountains to climb, but plenty of steady climbs and a few short sharp ones. Training before this event is strongly recommended.

As almost all of the route is in narrow winding lanes (all with tarmac surfaces) it is perhaps not suitable for enthusiasts of main-road riding. However, if you 'see the light' and want to admire the scenery in preference to following a passing back wheel then you will be very welcome.

Refreshments will be available at the start, lunch in a village hall at approximately mid-distance, water points and carb top-up stops at village halls at a quarter distance and at three-quarters distance, and warming recovery-fodder at the end - all included in the event entry fee.

For this the fourth time of staging the event we envisage a limit of 300 riders to ensure that all participants are properly catered for. The Entry Fee is £20, which will get you an excellent way-marked route, parking & changing facilities, and refreshments en route and at the end.

There is plenty of good value local accommodation, including a YHA, B&Bs, camp sites and hotels. See this link (click on it) for a detailed list:- Accommodation Listing

We would much prefer you to enter on-line, by following this link. You can see a list of entrants so-far by following this link.

If you are reluctant or unable to enter on-line, we can accept postal entries. Click on entry form to access the necessary paperwork. Please print it off, complete it, and return it with your cheque to secure your place(s).

For those with GPS / Sat-Navs, an excel file of 400-odd waymarking grid references can be made available nearer the date, or a .gpx file if this is easier. This should ensure you stay on-track, at least within 100m or so of the recommended route!

Event Website http://www.kingtonlions.org/nfHome.asp?Section=The+Kington+Classic+Sportive&ButtonPressed=Sadmin121547 HQ/Start Address Address Line 1 The Old Surgery, The Meads Address Line 2 Victoria Road Town Kington County Herefordshire Postcode HR5 3DQ		Event Facilities Adequate Car Parking Facilities Food & Drink (Pre/Post Event) Sign-on at HQ Support for Participants Route card with emergency contact details SAG wagon following laster rider(s) Organiser Details Name Chris H.E. Smith Email Phone 441544340598 Address Line 1 The Old Vicarage Address Line 2 Lyonshall Town Kington County Herefordshire Postcode HR5 3LN