Posted: 19/04/07
The Test Valley Tour season starts again this Sunday 22 April 2007, with the Spring Road Event and will, this year, include a 150km Sportive, as well as featuring the usual 100, 50 and 20km routes. Based at the lovely Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, at Ampfield near Romsey in Hampshire (GR SU376238), the route for this year has been re-worked to include even more of the New Forest's quieter northern section, overlooked by motorists, so popular with cyclists, with miles of great riding and just the ponies to watch out for. After meandering through the Avon valley, the route turns west to climb onto the edge of Salisbury Plain, with the effort of Woodminton Down amply rewarded with the fine views and non stop descent along the Ebble valley, before returning to north Hampshire to rejoin the Test valley and home. The 100 km route still includes plenty of the New Forest section, whilst the 50 km route joins the beginning and end sections together. The 20 km family friendly route follows some lovely quiet country lanes before joining the tail end of the route back to Ampfield.
Pre-entries have now closed, but you will be very welcome to enter On The Day of the event - just go along to Event Registration when you arrive. Please note that the gates will be open at 7.30 am and then Event Registration will open at 7.45am. ONLINE pre-entry has proved very popular with many of you, so please remember to bring your confirmation with you and take it in good time to Pre-Entries at Event Registration to collect your rider number. If you have ENTERED BY POST you will have noticed that this year we are not sending out confirmation of entry, you just need to arrive in good time to collect your rider number from Pre-Entries at Event Registration.
Start times for the Sportive are from 8 - 9 am and for the Tour routes from 9 - 11 am. When you have your Rider Number please display it clearly on the front of your bicycle, so that our marshals and the Event Photographer can identify you out on the Tour.
All the Tour events now feature a free Torq energy bar for all participants, which can be collected with your Event Number, plus there will be the usual first class facilities; including a colour route map courtesy of Tracklogs, 2 water stops with free Torq energy drink, a commemorative medal for all Sportive finishers, full mobile back up and rescue, a mobile mechanic courtesy of Purple Bike Shed, an event photographer, ample free parking at the Start venue, full refreshments on sale plus the chance to win one of 2 Giant bikes courtesy of the main event sponsor Pedal On. You can even bring your family and friends with you to enjoy the gardens whilst you cycle.