Malvern Mad Hatter

23rd July 2016

When we decided to do this year’s challenge and had worked out the distances that we would be riding on both days we knew that at some point we would have to do a 160km (100 miles). We looked at all the Sportives that were running and decided that the Malvern Mad Hatter fitted the bill. There were 3 distance you could enter, a short route of 43 miles, a standard route of 75 miles and an epic route of 101 miles and we had entered the epic route.

Lara had entered us all to ride the Malvern Mad Hatter but unfortunately Lara was unable to ride due to other commitments. Andy and myself were still going to ride and had an easy weekend last weekend to get ready.

The plan was to travel up on the day, do the sportive and then travel back. We had to arrive at the venue (Three Counties Showground) at around 7.30am which meant setting out at about 5.30am. After a few discussions Andy’s partner Anna offered to pay for a hotel for us and we decided to go up the night before.

Andy very kindly picked me up at 15:00 on the Friday and we travelled up to Malvern, when we arrived in Malvern we drove a little of the course and it didn’t seem too bad. We arrived at the hotel, checked in stored our bikes, went out for a pint and something to eat and then headed for an early night.

We were awoken early next morning by room service and our breakfast. After having a good breakfast, we made our way to the Three Counties Showground and the start of the sportive. We arrived at just the right time and didn’t have to spend too long to park the car.

Once we had parked and sorted out the bikes we went to register making sure we took our helmets with us (part of the registration process), we signed in received our numbers and timing chips and also a couple of freebies, unfortunately for some reason Andy didn’t receive the freebies. We then headed back to the car to get ready and made our way to the start line.

It was a beautiful morning and the sun was shining while we received our final instructions before setting off. We set off in about groups of 30 and I set off at a good pace, a little too fast and Andy was having trouble keeping up. I did slow down and we made our way through the Malvern countryside to our first stop.

The route from the start to the first feed station (our first stop) was relatively flat with a few ups and downs but not too difficult. The route was through country lanes and beautiful countryside which made the ride very pleasant. I arrived at the feed station a little ahead of Andy and we both refilled our water bottles and refuelled, we also had a chat with a lady from Caerphilly Cycling Club before we set out again.

So after a short break we set off again and onto the second feed station, we knew that this next leg was going to be hard as we had to climb to the top of the Malvern Hills. At the start the route was still relatively flat but then soon started to climb. The climb was not too bad at the beginning and was gently going up for about 7 or 8km before it suddenly ramped up, out of nowhere a hill suddenly appeared and what a hill it was, it wasn’t very long but it just kept getting steeper and steeper and hit 20% at one stage.

We both managed to get up the hill somehow but needed to recover at the top. We still had a bit of climbing to do before reaching the top but the views from the top were spectacular and the descent to the first turn off point was fast and straight. The route was becoming more rolling now and by the time we arrived at the second feed station Andy was starting to struggle.

We refuelled and filled up with water again at the second feed station and set off for the third, we hadn’t gone far when we went slightly off course but luckily the Medic Support saw us and got us back on course. I was still feeling good and decided to leave Andy and ride at my own pace. This leg of the route was brutal, there was no flat roads and it was just up and down for about 40km, it was hard work but I had a bike in front as a target. I chased this bike for about 35 km and caught up with them just before the final feed station.

We had a good chat at the final feed station and decided to ride the last 18 miles together. After refuelling and eating a little we set off again. The final 18 miles were not too bad a couple of hills but mostly flat, unfortunately with about 10 miles to go and riding up hill my legs cramped up and I had to stop. I told the chap who I had been riding with to carry on and I would catch him up. It took me about 5 miles to catch him up but I managed it and we rode the final 5 miles together.

We rode through the finish line got our medals, shook hands and congratulated each other on a good ride. I was glad that I had finished and at a reasonable pace too. The weather had been glorious all day long and it was a really enjoyable ride. I now just had to wait for Andy to come back to get in the car. I headed towards the car and had a rest under a tree while waiting, Andy arrived about 30 minutes or so after me but we had both made it around our first 100 miles + ride.

We both agreed that the Mad Hatter Sportive was very well organised, supported and well sign posted and we would definitely do the event again. If you are looking for a sportive to do, we would highly recommend the Mad Hatter Sportive.

With only 53 days to go until our September riding challenge from North to South Wales we have set up a couple of giving pages and if you would like to support us the pages can be accessed via the following links:

Andy is raising funds for the MS Society and his Just giving page can be accessed via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andy-Lloyd10

I (Mike) am raising funds for Mind and my Virgin Money Giving page can be accessed via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MikeShevyn

All donations to either Andy or myself are appreciated and you will be helping two very worthy causes.

Keep reading the blog for more cycling adventures .....................................

#Malvern #Sportive #100miles