5th Annual Chilterns Dipper Sportive - Little & BIG Dipper

Rated Event: 60.000%

SuzieR wrote:

Route cleverly designed to keep riders off busy roads which was great, but sometimes at the expense of the quality of the roads. Descents were often down technical single-track gravelly roads, taking a lot of the fun out of descending.
I can't fault the HQ - staff friendly, helpful, good facilities BUT the feed stations were limited - the first was simply a car (easy to miss) with some bananas and gels. The second had disappeared entirely by the time I got there which did not make for a happy second half of the ride. I was cycling the 100 mile route so did not plan on breaking any speed records, but perhaps you should consider setting an earlier
start time if people are going to want to clock off before everyone has passed. I've done other sportives where they couldn't throw enough food at you, making the difficult part knowing when to stop eating, rather than trying to cycle the last 30 miles on an empty tank. I know which quandary I'd prefer. Some toilet facilities would be nice as well; men may be happy to go by the roadside but not all ladies are! Sorry, but I definitely won't be back.

Rated Event: 81.111%

swedishmike wrote:

Well organised event with a nice route. Lovely scenery and we were lucky with the weather.

Rated Event: 52.222%

wrote:

Certain very poor features spoiled what would be a good route: the food stops were terrible - although there were some nice savory sandwiches it was all sitting in the mud - there were no tables at the food stops! Without tables it was really hard to fill bottles - and the powder sachets were a complication with no scissors and the water bottles sitting in the mud. At the stops the staff didn't seem to know how to help... The ride was under length and contained a really rough section where I nearly fell off in deep gravel (I'm OK with this if there are clear warnings beforehand). I wouldn't recommend this one unless the food stops are guaranteed better!

Rated Event: 72.222%

wrote:

Great course with lots of climbing and some beautiful views. Food stops were quite basic but had the right amount of stuff. Signage was clear for both the short and long route overlaps. Not a busy event but I can see it becoming more popular in future.

Rated Event: 10.000%

othello wrote:

I didn't ride the event, but I was out cycling with my son on part of the route. Some of the participants need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror, because their behavior was shocking. Shouting and swearing at other cyclists, including children, to get out of the way so you can shave a few seconds off your time is not acceptable. If you think it is, then go on a closed circuit and race.

Rated Event: 94.444%

AlexanderBaillieu wrote:

Brilliant, very well organised

Rated Event: 82.222%

wrote:

Worth doing as takes in prettier area of the Chilterns.