24 Feb Pre-registrations for Brand New Closed-Road Cycle Sportive, Vélo Essex, to Close on Wednesday Following Strong Demand
Organisers of the Vélo Series have announced that pre-registration for the brand new closed-road sportive, Vélo Essex, will close at midnight on Wednesday 26th February. After receiving thousands of pre-registrations since launching just over a week ago, those hoping to secure a place at this exciting new event have just a few days to declare their interest as entries are capped at 15,000.
Taking place on Sunday 20th September, Vélo Essex – the sister event of the hugely successful Vélo Birmingham & Midlands – will offer 15,000 riders a unique opportunity to ride on completely traffic-free roads across the County’s iconic roads and lanes. With 100 and 50 mile route options, a Free Family Ride and a Cycling Festival within Hylands Park, the new sportive is set to become the biggest participation event in Essex’s history.
Steeped in mile upon mile of beautiful rolling British countryside, Essex is renowned as one of the most stunning places to ride a bike within the UK. Having hosted Stage 3 of the 2014 Tour de France from Cambridge to London and produced some of Britain’s best time trialists, the County has a rich cycling history. Lining the roads with adoring fans and treating the pro’s to some of the most incredible support ever seen, it’s now time for the amateurs to experience their very own ‘Grand Tour of Essex’.
The event is open to riders of all ages and abilities and will see a true weekend festival of closed-road cycling. With over 15,000 places across the 100 & 50 mile routes, and thousands more available for the Free Family Ride, it’s expected that Vélo Essex will become one of the UK’s top three biggest cycling events in its inaugural year and the biggest participation event in Essex’s history.
The event will start & finish within Hylands Park just outside of Chelmsford. Located under an hour from London and easily accessible from most major cities, Vélo Essex will be the only other alternative Southern closed-road sportive from the overly subscribed Prudential Ride London.
Building on its historic success as host during the 2014 Tour de France, organisers have worked hard to re-trace the 2014 Stage 3 route, with nearly half of the 100 mile route using the same roads as that memorable day. Taking riders from all over the country on the very best roads the County has to offer, the ‘Grand Tour of Essex’ will take riders through iconic villages and towns like Finchingfield and Saffron Walden. With just 1,200 meters of climbing on the 100 mile event and 600 meters on the 50 mile option, both routes are very achievable to any level of rider.
In addition to the three routes, there will also be a ‘Cycling Festival’ within Hylands Park across the weekend that will feature cycling-themed activities, great food and drink, live Q&As, live music and fun for all the family. The event will also offer a host of camping options within Hylands Park on Saturday, adding to the event’s festival feel and providing riders with the opportunity to enjoy an unrivalled weekend within Essex.
As well as helping to inspire a new generation of cyclists within the region, Vélo Essex is also expected to raise millions of pounds for a range of local and national charities. The event has officially partnered with Prostate Cancer UK – the only UK-wide organisation solely focused on beating prostate cancer – and the Active Essex Foundation, a local charity promoting opportunities for everyone in Essex to engage in physical activity and sport. This is of course in addition to the thousands of participants which will raise money with family and friends in support of charities which are particularly close to them.
With professional UCI World Tour rider – Alex Dowsett, Captain of the winning 2003 Rugby World Cup England team – Martin Johnson CBE, and Former Captain of the England and Essex County cricket teams – Graham Gooch OBE all taking part, the event promises to be a highlight in the UK cycling calendar.
View the routes in full and pre-register for the event now at www.veloessex.com
