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Reservoir Cogs This Weekend

by Henry Peacock

Sunday 2nd September sees the first edition of the Reservoir Cogs Sportive, a new event in Cambridgeshire with two start/finish points and a choice of three different routes. The event is promoted by Rutland Cycling and Grafham Cycling and promises a testing ride starting and finishing from their stores in Rutland Reservoir and Grafham Reservoir, in Rutland and Cambridgeshire respectively.

The Big Cog at 109 miles including 4400ft of climbing offers two start locations, Rutland or Grafham, and follows an anti clockwise direction and with some short steep warm up climbs like Barham and Glaston, Harringworth Viaduct featuring early from the Rutland start with plenty of climbing to follow. The Grafham start will have a new cycle route to avoid the A14 and a couple of climbs before nearing Oundle and onto King Cliffe before the Harringworth climbs and onto Rutland.

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Don't Worry There Are Hills, Lots Of Them

The northern start winds its way towards Corby before turning east and the rolling run into Oundle where there are plenty of cycle friendly cafes if you fancy stopping. The road continues to roll until crossing over the A14 and Catworth before a short 1 in 6 and then the climb into Perry and onto Grafham for the halfway point.
The Little Cog from Grafham is a 70 mile loop featuring 2700ft of climbing using most of the southern roads on the long course while the other Little Cog from Rutland is a shorter 57 mile loop taking in the northern roads on the course but featuring slightly more climbing with 3300ft.

All routes will have the usual excellent back up structure from Wheels in Wheels Events and will be fully signposted, timed; full mechanical back en route as well as the start/finish, motorcycle outrider on the course and a broom wagon should all else fail. The long route will have four well-stocked feed stations with High 5 energy products on route while the shorter routes will have one to help keep you on the go.

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You Can Test Shimano Wheels On These Roads

All the 2012 range of Shimano wheelsets from entry level to Dura Ace C50 deep sections will be available to test for free at the Reservoir Cogs via a ballot system for entrants in the event. Just go to the event website www.wheelsinwheels.com and register your details for your chosen wheelset. Lucky riders will then be informed if they have wheels before the event. Qualified mechanics will be on hand to give advice on the wheels and change any cassettes over before the ride. Michelin are also supplying the latest Pro 4 tyres on all test wheels so you don’t have to change your tyres over either.

For more information and to enter on-line please visit www.wheelsinwheels.com