Popular sportive organisers Polocini have a reputation for the hillier ride. However due to rider demand their Affogato sportive on Sunday August 3 promises a flat route.

The 65mile route heads out from Polocini’s base in Romiley, Stockport to the quiet Cheshire lanes. There is plenty of free parking at the event HQ and registration is fast with riders leaving at their own leisure anytime between 9-10am.

Included in the £15 entry fee is porridge at the start, a feed station at the half way point of the ride courtesy of Meccanica in Knutsford and there will be a BBQ at the finish with a post ride Affogato.

All entrants will also receive a free issue of the latest Cyclist magazine worth £5.

What is an Affogato? Polocini claim it’s the perfect summer time post ride pick me up. Affogato translates in Italian as ‘drowned’ and is vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of espresso.

Previous rides in the Polocini series have tackled the Cat and Fiddle, Holme Moss, the cobbles of Swiss Hill plus many more well-known climbs. So why the flat route? Polocini’s Allen Bridge explains.

“It’s a standing joke with many riders when they return from a ride. We are always being asked ‘when are you doing a flat one?’  So we’ve listened.”

The Affogato is part of the Polocini Coffee Series and the next rides are the Espresso on Sunday September 14 and the Mocha on Sunday October 5. Full details can be found at www.polocini.com.