British Cyclosportive route announced

Soreen is proud to nourish the cyclosportive participants this year throughout the British Cyclosportive

British Cycling is pleased to confirm the route and entry details for the British Cyclosportive on Sunday 1st July 2007. The start is in historic Greenwich, offering a panoramic backdrop of Docklands, the City of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. It will pass the National Maritime Museum and head out of London past the Thames barrier across Kent towards Canterbury.

Entries open on 1st March and 5000 riders will have the opportunity to complete the 117mile (187km) route, tracing much of the same route as stage 1 of the 2007 Tour de France.

The ride will offer a unique opportunity to take part in a mass cycling event starting in London and finishing within sight of the English Channel.

The route will take in some of the south’s most famous countryside and picturesque towns, including Rochester and Royal Tunbridge Wells before passing Kent County Cricket Club, Canterbury’s famous Roman city walls and finishing on Rheims Way.

Jonny Clay, Competition and Events Manager of British Cycling commented: “We are delighted to offer the rare opportunity to ride such an iconic route. It has a mix of climbs, rolling countryside and flat terrain that will appeal to all levels of cyclist. The route is stunning and passes major landmarks, castles, villages and towns along the way.”

“There will be transponder chip timing and four feed stations along the fully waymarked and marshalled route. Riders will be able to experience what it’s like to take part in a major tour event, without having to go abroad or get back on their bikes the following morning!”

Sports Tours International will be the Exclusive Sports Travel Partner of the event, offering packages including entries from 1st March. It is anticipated that interest from overseas riders will be high, and Sports Tours will be able to offer tailored accommodation and entry packages through their dedicated sports travel web site.

Canterbury City Council's Tourism Manager, Neil McCollum, said: "This event offers cyclists a wonderful chance to experience the Tour de France route through the southeast of England, and we look forward to welcoming them to Canterbury. While they are here, we hope they will take the opportunity to enjoy the city's wide range of pubs, restaurants, shops and visitor attractions."

Former England football star, Geoff Thomas, has pledged to ride the British Cyclosportive and entice former team mates out of their boots and onto a bike. The Geoff Thomas Foundation is the official charity of the event.

He commented: “Since being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, cycling has been a major focus of my recuperation. I’m delighted to be involved in this event and that it will benefit research into leukaemia.”

Thomas will use the British Cyclosportive as a warm up for his Tour de France fundraising challenge, where he and other cancer survivors aim to complete every stage two days after the professional riders.

Entries will go live on www.everydaycycling.com at 12pm on 1st March. Alternatively call Pennine Events on 01695 682020 from the 1st March. Entries cost £40 including a £2 voluntary donation to the Geoff Thomas Foundation. Transport back to the start is available at a cost of £12.