Tour of the Black Country

Cycle Sportive , Wolverhampton – Sunday, 04 May 2014

Entry powered by British Cycling
Registered Sportive

Event Summary

Event Overview

The Tour of the Black Country sportive is 100 km long and takes in 20km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and bridleways in the West Midlands, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. Modelled on the epic European Classic ‘Paris-Roubaix’, it includes 15 unpaved sectors, varying in length from 400m to 2000m, all of which are passable on a standard road bike. Each sector is rated according to difficulty; one star being the most straightforward, five stars being the most difficult. The roads are virtually traffic-free, despite being located close to Birmingham, and the majority of the unpaved sectors are closed to all traffic. The route finishes, as does Paris-Roubaix, on a large outdoor velodrome, at Aldersley Stadium on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. 

The Tour of the Black Country will be held on Sunday 4 May 2014. Entries, priced at £25, will open in February. There will also be the option of a shorter 60km route.

Event Details

Event URN:

317182

Start Date:

Sun, 4th May 2014

Event Type:

Cycle Sportive (Non-Competitive)

Venue:

Aldersley Leisure Village - Wolverhampton, Aldersley Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW

View map

Event promoted by:

Team V-Sprint Racing (website)

Event Website:

Visit Website

Reports

The Tour of the Black Country: The British Paris-Roubaix

Posted 01/05/2014 - British Cycling

20km of cobbled sectors in homage to Paris Roubaix

View Full Report

The Tour of the Black Country: 100km Roubaix-style sportive with cobbles and velodrome finish

Posted 14/04/2014 - British Cycling

Cobbles and gravel roads featured in the 100km challenge

View Full Report

About the Event

Info for Riders

The Tour of the Black Country is 100km long and takes in 20km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and bridleways in the West Midlands and Worcestershire. Modelled on the epic European Classic ‘Paris-Roubaix’, it includes 15 unpaved sectors, varying in length from 400m to 1800m (all of which are passable on a standard road bike) and finishes, as does Paris-Roubaix on a large outdoor velodrome at Aldersley on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. The Tour of the Black Country would normally be graded '2', based on the distance and the amount of climbing but given the difficulty of some of the unpaved sectors, a rating of '4' is more realistic. As with any unpaved roads, there is a slightly increased risk of punctures, but mobile mechanics will be on-hand to sort out any technical problems. A broom wagon will also be provided. Although not separately listed, a shorter 60km route will be available on the day. Indoor changing rooms, showers and plentiful car parking are available at the venue.

The Rides

Tour of the Black Country Ride
Date Start Distance Est. Field Size
Sun 04/05/14 08:00 1 laps / 100km / 62 miles 400
Sun 04/05/14 – 08:00
Est. Field Size: 400
1 laps / 100km / 62 miles

Event Summary

Event Overview

The Tour of the Black Country sportive is 100 km long and takes in 20km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and bridleways in the West Midlands, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. Modelled on the epic European Classic ‘Paris-Roubaix’, it includes 15 unpaved sectors, varying in length from 400m to 2000m, all of which are passable on a standard road bike. Each sector is rated according to difficulty; one star being the most straightforward, five stars being the most difficult. The roads are virtually traffic-free, despite being located close to Birmingham, and the majority of the unpaved sectors are closed to all traffic. The route finishes, as does Paris-Roubaix, on a large outdoor velodrome, at Aldersley Stadium on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. 

The Tour of the Black Country will be held on Sunday 4 May 2014. Entries, priced at £25, will open in February. There will also be the option of a shorter 60km route.

Event Details

Event URN:

317182

Start Date:

Sun, 4th May 2014

Event Type:

Cycle Sportive (Non-Competitive)

Venue:

Aldersley Leisure Village - Wolverhampton, Aldersley Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW

View map

Event promoted by:

Team V-Sprint Racing (website)

Event Website:

Visit Website

Reports

The Tour of the Black Country: The British Paris-Roubaix

Posted 01/05/2014 - British Cycling

20km of cobbled sectors in homage to Paris Roubaix

View Full Report

The Tour of the Black Country: 100km Roubaix-style sportive with cobbles and velodrome finish

Posted 14/04/2014 - British Cycling

Cobbles and gravel roads featured in the 100km challenge

View Full Report

About the Event

Info for Riders

The Tour of the Black Country is 100km long and takes in 20km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and bridleways in the West Midlands and Worcestershire. Modelled on the epic European Classic ‘Paris-Roubaix’, it includes 15 unpaved sectors, varying in length from 400m to 1800m (all of which are passable on a standard road bike) and finishes, as does Paris-Roubaix on a large outdoor velodrome at Aldersley on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. The Tour of the Black Country would normally be graded '2', based on the distance and the amount of climbing but given the difficulty of some of the unpaved sectors, a rating of '4' is more realistic. As with any unpaved roads, there is a slightly increased risk of punctures, but mobile mechanics will be on-hand to sort out any technical problems. A broom wagon will also be provided. Although not separately listed, a shorter 60km route will be available on the day. Indoor changing rooms, showers and plentiful car parking are available at the venue.

The Rides

Tour of the Black Country Ride
Date Start Distance Est. Field Size
Sun 04/05/14 08:00 1 laps / 100km / 62 miles 400
Sun 04/05/14 – 08:00
Est. Field Size: 400
1 laps / 100km / 62 miles

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