Eroica Britannia has revealed the three ‘Classic Ride’ routes for the vintage cycling lifestyle festival in the UK this August.
Riders will have the choice of 20, 60 and 100 mile rides when the full Eroica Britannia festival is held at its new Goodwood home for the first time.
The routes, which have been curated with support from The Great Sussex Way and Gusto Cycling, take riders and their pre-1987 bicycles around the Goodwood Motor Circuit, up the Goodwood Hill Climb and out into the South Downs.
Tourist Route
Riders looking for a challenge suitable for all ages may opt for the Tourist Route. After a spin around the Motor Circuit and riding up the hill past Goodwood House, the 20 mile route passes Goodwood Racecourse.
Difficulty – 3/10
Distance – 20 miles / 32km
Total elevation – 1,242ft / 379m
Sporting Route
For a sterner test, the Sporting Route covers 60 miles. After a lap of the Motor Circuit, riders will face the Festival of Speed Hill Climb, cycling in the tyre tracks of some of motorsport’s greats.
Following quiet country lanes and forest tracks, the route winds its way through the Sussex countryside, with views of the south coast.
From the ancient hill fort of the Trundle, riders will plunge downhill to West Dean College, then soon after riders will reach the second experience stop, Stansted House.
The lunch stop will be hosted at Ashling Park, one of Chichester’s vineyards and sparkling wine producers. From Ashling Park there’s just a few miles to go before a finish back at the motor circuit.
Difficulty – 7/10
Distance – 60 miles / 97km
Total elevation – 4,295ft / 1,309m
Heroic Route
Starting with a lap of the Motor Circuit, riders take on the Goodwood Hill Climb, then it’s onto Racecourse Road past the finish of the 1982 UCI World Championships.
The first chance to refuel comes at Petworth Places featuring The Hungry Guest stop at Hampers Green. Here, riders can enjoy a breakfast prepared by the award-winning Hungry Guest.
The Heroic Route then joins with the Sporting Route, taking in Stansted House and the highly unusual sight of a Napoleonic battle re-enactment, before the culinary offerings of Ashling Park. Then it’s back to Goodwood Motor Circuit for the finish.
Difficulty – 10/10
Distance – 100 miles / 161km
Total elevation – 6,922ft / 2,110m
Those planning to attend Eroica Britannia this summer have the opportunity to save on tickets when bought by 31 March 2022. This year’s event qualifies for the UK Government’s ‘creative industry tax relief’, with a reduced VAT rate of 12.5% until 31 March 2022.
The event organisers will pass this saving on to riders, which will apply to a number of entry products. Ticket prices will remain at the reduced VAT rate until the end of March, when it will return to the full rate of 20% from 1 April 2022.
www.goodwood.com/cycling/eroica-britannia
