Event Information
The Dartmoor Classic 2010 Cyclosportive offers you a choice of two routes, 100 Miles and 100 Km. Both routes start and finish at the event HQ (Depart Village), located at the Abbrook Park Sports & Social Club, Strap Lane, Kingsteignton. TQ12 3PS. Full details of the routes for this year can be found on our 'Routes' page.

The entry fee for either the 100 mile or 100 km course is £25. This fee includes a levy for British Cycling insurance cover and a levy, set by the local B.C. region, for the development of cycling throughout the South West of England. MDCC also supports worthy charities from the proceeds of the Dartmoor Classic. The main beneficiaries from our 2009 event are the Devon Air Ambulance and Ricky Grant Unit (Torbay Hospital). 

It is the club's opinion that anyone under the age of 18 years considering entering this event should be a regular and competent cyclist. Under 18s are required to download and complete the "Parental Consent Form" which must be completed and produced at time of 'Signing On'. Minimum age for the 100 mile route is 15 years. Minimum age for the 100 Km route is 12 years when accompanied by a responsible adult entrant and 15 years for unaccompanied entrants.

To book your place please use our Secure Online Booking Service, accessed through the "Book Now!" buttons. This year our Online Payment Service is being provided by Race Timing Systems. Upon successful completion of the booking process you will receive a confirmation email and your name will be listed on the 'Entrants List' page of our website. Shortly before the sportive we will send you a reminder email which will include your 'Rider Instructions'. Please take time to read the information, it will ensure you get the most out of your weekend with us!

All entrants must 'sign on' at the Depart Village before commencing their ride. The Depart Village Registration Desks will be open between 14:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs on Saturday 26th June 2010 and between 06:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs on Sunday 27th June 2010. All entrants will be provided with a welcome pack, including free energy food products. We would encourage you, where possible, to 'sign on' on the Saturday and spend some time with us at the Depart Village. There is a FREE prize draw for Saturday registration.

When 'signing on', entrants MUST provide photographic proof of identity. Recommended identity documents are British Cycling Membership Card, Photo Driving Licence or Passport.

This year's Depart Village boasts live entertainment and music as well as stalls, refreshments, Bouncy Castle, Climbing Wall, Cycle Maintenance, and so much Moor (about 365 square miles of it!). We will also be having a 'Pasta Party' so you can get some serious carbohydrate loading done ahead of your ride. The depart Village will be open from 14:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs on Saturday 26th June 2010 and from 06:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs on Sunday 27th June 2010.

The Dartmoor Classic is a sportive, not a race. However, the event is timed and medals are awarded to those of you who complete their chosen course within the qualifying times. Please see the 'Merchandise' page for details on this year's medal qualifying times. All entrants will be issued with electronic timing chips when 'Signing On' at the Depart Village. The timing chips will be used to register your time through designated checkpoints along the route (splits), and record your completion time. This year the timing service will be supplied through 'Race Timing Systems'.

On Sunday 27th June 2010, riders will be dispatched from 'holding pens' in groups of 100 at 5 minute intervals. The first 100 mile course riders will leave at 07:00 hrs. The first 100 km course riders will be dispatched at 08:00 hrs or once the 100 Mile riders have all been dispatched, whichever is the sooner. All riders will be dispatched by 09:00 hrs.

The Dartmoor Classic routes will be clearly signed and you will be supplied with a route card. There will also be a number of marshals at key locations to help keep you on course. However, whilst the club will make every effort to ensure that the routes are adequately signed, the onus of remaining on course rests with the rider. All riders are responsible for riding safely and with due respect for other road users and the other cyclists taking part in the Sportive. They are expected to ride according to the law and as recommended by the Highway Code.

This event is held on public highways and you participate entirely at your own risk. By completing our booking form and registration you accept that no liability whatever can be attached to the promoters, promoting club or any other officials of the event for any injury, loss or damage suffered by you in or by reason of the event however caused. 

All entrants MUST wear cycle helmets. This is a mandatory requirement for all UCI registered events.

Dartmoor is very exposed and even in June you may encounter some inclement weather conditions. We recommend taking a lightweight waterproof if there is the slightest chance of rain. In order that you can be seen if  the rain or Dartmoor mist descends then fit at least a rear light.

We will be supplying water and energy drinks, bananas and other energy foods at the feeding stations. In addition to this, you should be equipped with two water bottle cages with large water bottles and some additional energy foods should you require them between feed stations. 

We will have marshals at key locations and motorcycle outriders patrolling the course to provide you with rider support. There will also be mechanical assistance available at the Depart Village and feed stations if required. However, riders should aim to be self sufficient in case of any mechanical problems on the day. We would recommend that you carry two spare inner tubes, tyre levers, pump and a puncture repair kit. It is not uncommon for riders to suffer punctures during sportive events. Ideally you should also carry a lightweight folding multi tool, available through any good cycle store. 

The Finish Control will close 18:00 hours. In order to ensure entrants for the 100 mile event are back at the Finish Control before it closes, a cut off point will be invoked. Any rider who fails to clear the first Feed Station by 11:00 hrs will be diverted on to the 100 km route. It is a condition of entry for the 100 mile course that a rider so affected will accept this ruling without question if it has to be imposed. (NB: Cut-off time is based on an average speed of 12.5 mph from last rider leaving the Depart Village)

A unique Dartmoor Classic Sportive Trophy and Free Gift Pack will be given to everyone who completes their chosen course. 

It is our mission to ensure that when you leave us you have experienced the true 'Taste of Devon'. "This is not just any cycling, this is  MDCC Cycling!" Enjoy your weekend.

How do I prepare for the event?

Fitness:
When training for a long distance event like this, there is no substitute for spending time riding your bike. You should plan to increase the time and distance ridden each week by about 10% untill you can cover between 80% and 100% of your selected sportive distance. Start by riding a distance you can cover without any distress and build from there. Use a gear which on all but the steepest hills you can ride with a cadence of over 75 pedal revs per minute. This will give you the maximum efficiency while at the same time conserves your strength. Try and get out for a long ride once a week. This ride should be ridden at the pace you're aiming to complete the Dartmoor Classic at. 

Joining a local cycling club is a good way of practising riding in a group, finding new routes and meeting other cyclists. You will also pick up lots of invaluable advice and support. If you would like to join us at the Mid-Devon Cycling Club, we meet every Sunday, 9am at the Abbrook Social Club, Kingsteignton. Please visit the MDCC website for further information.

There is no need to ride everyday. In fact 1 or 2 days off the bike each week is beneficial. Ideally one of these rest days should be the days after your long ride. Commuting to work by bike is one way of fitting your preparation into your daily schedule. If you have a long daily commute, consider driving or using the train for part of the way. If you only have a short distance, then consider fitting in a longer loop on the way home especially when the lighter evenings allow this. 

Your Bike:
Ensure your bike is setup to provide you with the correct riding position. This will make you more efficient, less prone to injury and will make long distance cycling a lot more comfortable. An experienced coach or good bike shop is the best place to seek advice on your position. 

Make sure that your bike is mechanically sound and properly serviced proir to the event. Check your brakes are properly adjusted - this means that when pulled hard the brake levers do not reach the handlebars. In fact there should be a clear space between. You should also check that your gears are correctly adjusted, covering the whole range without causing your chain to come off!  Check your tyres are sound and correctly inflated. It is stronly recommended that you have your bike serviced by a reputable cycle shop prior to the event.

If you are using an MTB bike then you ought to consider changing from "knobbly" tyres to "slicks". Again your local cycle shop can advise on the most suitable tyre to use.

Clothing Suggestions:
Think about your points of contact with your bike. Cycling shorts with padded insert are essential for long distance cycling. We would also recommend good quality cycle mits. It is equaliy important that you have good fitting shoes and comfortable socks, your feet are going to have plenty of hard work to do! Arm warmers are easy to pull up and down or remove as the weather changes. Make sure that your clothing fits correctly, with no gaps between your top and your cycle shorts. 

Nutrition:
Energy drinks are a good way of increasing your carbohydrate intake and essential electrolytes during the ride. Supplement this with some solid food such as energy bars or fruit. Having lots of small snacks during the event is the best way to keep your energy levels up. Energy gels, available at good quality cycle shops can also be carried to give you a boost towards the end of the ride. It is recommended that when your ride extend beyone one hour that you carry your "food of choice" and use it to ensure that it fits in well with your digestive system. The evening before the event you should eat a carbohydrate rich meal and ensure that you are well hydrated by regularly drinking water. On the morning of the event, try and have your breakfast two hours before your start time and eat a further small snack or piece of fruit before you set off. 

The club trusts that you find the above useful and that it will enable you to enjoy your time on the bike to the maximum , especially on June 27th, and will return to the event HQ safe and sound.