Bucks Off Road Sportive - 

The Bucks off road sportive was initially known as the Bucks Classic when it started off 23 years ago, when after members of the West Drayton Mountain Bike Club had taken part in the Hell of the North Cotswolds for a few years and the club felt that there was a call for a similar event nearer to London. 

As the event was going to be in the County of Buckinghamshire it was decided the event was going to be called the Bucks Classic, and was renamed in 2009 to the Bucks Off-Road Sportive. Although based on the Hell of the North the club wanted to improve on the HONC (as the event is popularly known) and the main problem club riders had with the HONC at that time when no one had Garmins! was the lack of directions arrows and the lack of singe track ,so that was the main priorities to find some more challenging trails and to mark the whole route, no mean feat when you go along over 100 km of twisting bridleways and small lanes.

The event has over the years had a number of different distances with different course designers taking the reins at various stages.. The event has grown over the years and moved its headquarters from the Denham Country Park to the near-by Martin Baker social club and now the Chiltern Sports and Social club which allows riders to shower and make use of a fully licensed bar as well as a cheap supply of refreshments.(COVID allowing this year)

After a sabbatical in 2019 and then having to cancel last year due to COVID  we are back for the 21st running of the event. The HQ will still be at Maple Lodge , the HQ also benefiting from parking and where there will be home made cakes and teas to refuel.

The distances this year will be 35km/70km and 100km with one official feed stop planned for the longer rides, this will be stocked with the legendary home made flapjack as well as energy products and fruit . There are also  plenty of unofficial stops with some lovely country pubs and village stores along the route for those needing a bit more rest and refueling.

Bike wise over the years there has been a mixture of bikes used, the weapon of choice for most has been a hardtail MTB, but we have also seen people on full suspension bikes, cyclo cross bikes and even tandems and no doubt this year with the growing popularity of gravel bikes we will see a number on these.

The event is not a race but a chance to ride and discover some great bridleways , routes we like to ride and have become some of our favourites in the 30 years we have been riding in the area.

We are as usual [planning on a free memento for all finishers subject to the lead times.

IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION DUE TO COVID  THE RIDE WILL BE POSTPONED AND ENTRIES CARRIED OVER TO THE NEW DATE SET.

Under 16/18's are welcome with an appropriate adult

Numbers are restricted so get your entries in via the British Cycling website. The 2 shorter route will be fully marked in addition to GPX files being sent to all riders in the week leading up to the event.

Please remember to ride with consideration to all other users of the Tracks.

A donation to charity will be made form entries over the years this has been to the South Bucks Riding for Disabled and the Dogs Trust

Looking forward to seeing our regulars and those entering for the 1st time.

Any Q'S chris@westdraytonmbc.co.uk

Info for Riders

This is a mainly off road route along the bridleways of Buckinghamshire. Fully marked route for the 35 and 70km routes and ,a feed stop for the 70 and 100km routes, free tea on completion of the ride and we will be giving out memento's to all finishers