Verenti Dragon Ride Bigger and Better for 2011
Entries for the popular Verenti Dragon Ride will open on 29 December, and the UK’s most popular Sportive is expected to sell out in less than a month. Four thousand cyclists will tackle up to 200km of European style climbs and rugged Welsh coastal roads as the event celebrates its eighth year on 5 June 2011.
The 2011 Verenti Dragon Ride will start and finish at Pencoed Technology Park and the longer route will be stretched to reach 200km. Riders will complete the same amount of climbing as last year, taking in the Bwlch and Rhigos climbs, but will also have the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views across the Bristol Channel to Devon along the Vale of Glamorgan and the pretty coastal villages of Southerndown and Ogmore.
The shorter 130km route will have a slightly reduced amount of climbing, also taking in coast roads to make it more accessible to a broader audience of sportive and new sportive riders. Riders in this Medio Fondo route will, however, still have the opportunity to tackle the Bwlch, one of Britain’s most cycling friendly climbs with excellent road surfaces and relatively gentle gradients. There will also be a gently undulating 40km Corto route available.
All riders will have mechanical support from Mavic at the start area prior to the event and via the famous yellow cars on route, and for those who are concerned about aching legs there are plans to offer a free massage services for riders at the finish.
The Verenti Dragon Ride was the first UK Sportive listed by the UCI and the event continues to aspire for Golden Bike status, which would confirm its place as one of the best mass cycle rides in the world. International Commissaires from the UCI will be in attendance and organisers look forward to once again welcoming international riders to South Wales.
Event Director, Lou Lousardi, commented:
“This will be the biggest entry we’ve ever taken and we’ve tweaked the route to offer riders the opportunity to cycle along the coastline as well as climb the hills up to the Brecon Beacons.
“The Verenti Dragon Ride typically attracts a lot of riders from London and the South East but international entries have grown steadily. We had riders last year that came from the States just to do the Ride, and our international profile is growing.
“Entries will sell out quickly, so I’d recommend people mark 29 December in their diaries and be ready for online entries opening at midnight.
“We’re delighted to confirm the support of Verenti again for 2011 and look forward to 5 June already!”
For more information see: http://www.verentidragonride.com and visit stand C1 at the Cycle Show (shared with Cape Argus Cycle Tour).
