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The Chiltern Classics return this year as a series of 6 events on consecutive weekends from 24th January through to the 7th of March. Each event is based in the beautiful Chiltern Hills, west of London, with the Hemel CC and Harp RC events being particularly demanding over 100 hilly kilometres. For those that would like a less arduous challenge, most events feature the option of a shorter route.
Reliability Trials are not races and long before sportives became the rage, reliability trials kept cyclists busy during the off season.
Reliability rides are traditional early season non-competitive training events without any frills. At signing-on, you decide how long it will take you to ride around the course, and if you complete the event within your chosen time band, you receive a certificate. Some of the rides are route-marked, others will provide you with a route sheet to navigate yourself around the course.
Six great events with a different circuit and different hills every week.
The 100km events have time bands of 3-3½, 3¾-4¼, or 4½-5hrs. Entry fee for each event is in the region of £4.00.
Refreshments are available at the HQ for all events. Certificates awarded to riders completing within their selected time band.
Click on the event details below. We have maps, route cards on our advanced event details. Goto the Links/Accomodation page to contact the organiser directly for more information.
Most events are entry on the day, but this year the Harp Hilly Hundred has online entry too!
We are pleased to announce details of the series, especially when the Archer Road Premier calendar road race is back on after gaining support from Thames Valley police from 2009 onwards.
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24/01/2010, Chilterns
The Harp Hilly Hundred Reliability Trial is the first event in the Chiltern Classics series. Recognised as one of the harder reliability trials in the area, because of the unrelenting terrain through the Chilterns. The full route is 100 kms with a shorter option of 50 kms for those who dont feel they are fit enough for the full distance. Riders can choose one of three times to complete the 100km distance, with average speeds corresponding to 18.5mph, 15.5mph or 13mph depending on the time selected to complete the ride in
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31/01/2010, Ickenham, Middlesex
The start and finish is from the Ickenham Guide Hut in Community Close in Ickenham and the route travels out towards High Wycombe; Paul Doel at The Bike Shop, North Harrow can explain. 100km or 60 miles in old money.
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07/02/2010, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
This third reliability trial of the series starts and finishes at the Hemel Hempstead CC clubhouse in Nash Mills recreation centre, near Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead. (location map) The route travels out through Chesham, Wendover and Chinnor returning through Speen, Gt. Missenden, Chesham, Kings Langley and back to the club house with refreshments. It is a hilly circuit climbing some of the well-known Chiltern Hills of Chinnor and the notorious 1 in 4, Small Dean Lane, a killer but mercifully short, also Frith Hill is included in the route. The 50 km route option turns short of Wendover returning through Chesham
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14/02/2010, Denham Country Park, Buckinghamshire
A slight relief from the previous hilly weeks as you will be delighted with this attractive undulating route. This event starts at the Denham Country Club and travels out to the Thames valley and at Marlow goes south on a fast flattish section through Windsor returning to Denham. 100km and 50km.
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21/02/2010, Ickenham, Middlesex
The fifth event starts at the Ickenham Guide Hut and travels out to Bledlow Ridge & Cryers Hill. 100km and 60km
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07/03/2010, Edlesborough, Bucks.
This is the sixth and last event of the Chiltern Classics Reliability Rides for 2008. The route commences from the village hall in Edlesborough and travels through Slapton, Wing, Stewkley and out to Swanbourne (tea room open) where the route turns to meander through the attractive Buckinghamshire lanes past Cublington, Wingrave, Marsworth and onto Aldbury up the infamous but thankfully short Toms Hill and onto Nettleden towards Redbourn where the route turns again through some hilly bits to Flamstead, Studham, Gaddesden Row, Dagnell and back home to Edlesborough. The 40 miler is available and includes good ole Toms Hill; the route is 95% country lanes. 100km and 65km.
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