Grande route:
The Grande route is the longest and toughest route option for the Dartmoor Classic Sportive. The route starts with a 2.3 mile neutralised segment from Newton Abbot racecourse to Clay Pits Way. Here you will see the 'Timing Towers' and your official ride time will begin. Nine miles on from the Timing Towers you will enter a closed-road segment, known as the Pirelli Hill Climb Challenge. Here you will have the opportunity to test your climbing strength against your fellow Grande participants with prizes to be won for the fastest male & female riders. There is one central feed staion and one Drink Stop on this course. You will pass through the Feed Station after 34 miles and again after 73 miles. The drink stop is at Lydford, 50 miles into the route. A 'split time' will be recorded for you each time you pass through a refreshment stop. The Grande route returns along Clay Pits Way. After completing 106 miles of the course you will once again see the Timing Towers where your official ride time will stop. You will then have the opportunity to properly warm down as you follow the remaining 2.6 miles of the route back the Newton Abbot racecourse where you will receive your medal and goodies. The Grande route includes Gold, Silver & Bronze medal standards for both age and gender categories, these are shown in the tables below. To participate in the Grande route you must be able to maintain an average pace of no less than 13 miles per hour (including any stop time). There is a cut-off point at Rundlestone (34.2 miles). If you do not reach this point before 11:00 hrs you will be diverted onto the shorter Medio route.
