Final price rise on 31^st May

The Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival takes place on Sunday 16^th July 2017, offering a fantastic family day out and a unique celebration of cycling just an hour from London. Combining the testing Chiltern 100 Sportive with cycling-themed stalls and entertainment in the retro-inspired Velo Village, the Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival offers something for everyone. Team Sky rider Luke Rowe shares his thoughts on the day ahead of the final price rise on 31^st May.

“It’s pretty cool how close the Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival is to London, but it has a real rural feel. It’s a picturesque but challenging route – so good in fact that Rowe & King are heading over from Cardiff to take part.”

The Chiltern 100 Sportive includes a number of notoriously tough climbs, many of which feature in Simon Warren’s ‘100 Greatest Climbs’ and are as testing as they are stunning. There are three route distances on offer starting with the 172km/107mile Gran Fondo, which includes 21 climbs that present riders with over 2,400m of vertical ascent. Two shorter distances, the Medio Fondo (109km/68miles) and the Corto Fondo (52km/32miles) ensure cyclists of all levels can take part however, and test their legs on at least some of the Chilterns leg-sapping hills.

“There are so many climbs – it’s up and down all day – but as they say, what goes up, must come down, so you’ll need to bring your descending A-game with you too.”

This year, many of the pros will be taking to the roads in the Chilterns and covering part of the Chiltern 100 course themselves during Stage 7 of the Tour of Britain on 9^th September.

“Many of my team will be riding in the Tour of Britain later this year, although they won’t be tackling Whiteleaf or Kingston Blount so in some ways riders at the Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival definitely have a tougher challenge ahead of them!”

Fortunately all riders will get the chance to reward their efforts with a celebratory glass of Champagne upon returning to the Velo Village, as well as receiving a finisher’s medal and goody bag. Participants will also have the opportunity to compete for the title of King or Queen of the Chilterns on the final, timed climb so will need to save something in their legs for the last push!

“The Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival is for everyone – riders, and their friends and families. Especially with a beer tent and local food stalls at the finish – plus a big TV screen to hopefully watch me on during Stage 15 of Le Tour de France.”

The Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival takes place on Sunday 16^th July, offering 3 spectacular routes as well as a women-only Cycletta wave of the 52km (32mile) course, and the Amersham Classic 52km (32mile) ride. Excitement is building ahead of the day, with Team Sky’s Luke Rowe the second rider to give his thoughts on the event, following Stephen Roche’s recent visit. To secure your place visit www.humanrace.co.uk/event/chiltern-100-sportive/  ahead of the price rise at midnight on 31^st May.