This page is information for Sportive riders only.

Wallingford Festival of Cycling will be one of the biggest cycling events of 2018 and offers a unique chance to combine a great sportive with watching some top-class racing.

Our 50km and 110km road sportives offer a chance to ride some of Oxfordshire’s finest country roads and punchy climbs through the natural rollercoaster of the Chiltern Hills.

Sportive riders can leave their bikes in our secure bike park and explore all the festival offers including something for every level of cyclist, children’s festival, family rides, HGV safety display, pump track and lots of stalls with anything to do with bikes and health.

More information:  www.wallingfordfestivalofcycling.co.uk, follow us on Twitter @wfocycling or https://www.facebook.com/wallingfordfestivalofcycling/

We are a not for profit event with any surplus going to support Team Vision Innovative Leisure or cycling coaching for local children. We thank Wallingford Town Council, the people of Wallingford, South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council for being wonderful hosts.  See our website for details of hotels, campsites and B&B's.

The Sportives will explore the amazing Chilterns including several great ascents and descents plus a water and food stop. These events are supported by a broom wagon and finishers will get a goodie bag and will be able to download a certificate. After the ride we have free secure bike parking for you to enjoy the rest of festival.

Leaving Wallingford via Crowmarsh, the first climb up Clack’s Lane is a gentle affair, but is closely followed by the challenging gradients of Swyncombe Hill, maxing out at 12%.

Despite being early in the ride, you’ll need a rest after Swyncombe Hill. You’re in luck, as the descent from Cookley Green to Pishill is a chance to catch your breath ahead of the next climb up Balham’s Lane.

The route then meanders up through North End to Christmas Common, then heads east to the top of Ason Hill. Here is where the 60km route and the 120km route splits, with the longer ride turning right towards Stokenchurch and heading out towards Princes Risborough. Watch out for the tricky descent out of Radnage, then get ready for a very tough climb up Smalldean Lane, where you’ll be hitting more than 20% gradients. Thankfully is only a short one!

Your’e up on top of the Chiltern’s now, and what goes up must come down. Whilst more famous for motorsport rather than cycling, Kop Hill provides the thrilling descent towards Risborough. Heading north out of Princes Risborough, the route flattens out for a while, snaking though picturesque villages towards the last big test at Brill. The climb is worth it though, and the descent the on the otherside provides a white knuckle ride back down to flatter terain.

Heading for home now, you’ll pass through Great Milton and past Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quait’Saisons. A brief meander through Great Hasely and Little Hasley, you’ll soon be heading up Shillingford Hill and back into Wallingford for a well earned rest!

The shorter ride follows the same route to the top of Aston Hill, where it splits and heads for home via Claire Hill, Chalgrove, and Warborough.

Start times are available between 8am and 9 am going off every 15 minutes. This year we are setting off both 60 km and 120 km in the same batch to allow friends/couples to ride off together before the route splits at 27 km.

Photos of some of the picturesque scenes you will see are available on our website.

Info for Riders

Please see our website for details of where to park, changing rooms/showers and what time to arrive. We will also send you links to download the route a week before the event. The individual event organisers will email entrants all the necessary information prior to the event. Our routes are carefully selected, risk assessed and signposted. We have broom wagons and support teams to assist where necessary.

Most of our rides are stunning, taking in the beauty of South Oxfordshire and the Chiltern Hills.