Ride with Mark Cavendish in Chester and North Wales

Ride with Mark Cavendish in Chester and North Wales

Cyclists can now sign-up to ride with 25 time Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish, via his official Rise Above Sportive website that will take place for the first time this August after the Tour de France.

Sunday 9th August will see the former World and British Champion joining thousands of amateur cyclists in taking on one of three challenging routes, starting and finishing on the cobbles in the heart of Chester.

Speaking about the new event Mark Cavendish said, “I’m very excited to launch the inaugural Rise Above Sportive. We first discussed the idea 18 months ago and have been going through the planning process ever since. I’ve pushed everyone involved to deliver an event that will provide the participants with a real premium rider experience. Our plan is to eventually have a fully closed road event so it was key for me to have some closed road sections in the inaugural one. I’m super happy that the Chester County Council have kindly agreed to close some cobbled streets in and out of the city centre. The parcour we’ve chosen for all three routes will be really special and testing for any level of rider. Longer term, I have a vision to grow the Rise Above Sportive to a two-day cycling festival in the years to come. I hope to see you there after the Tour de France.”

Linking the scenic forestry roads with breathtaking views and iconic Welsh landscapes, challenging climbs and inspiring countryside will culminate in the closed roads finale of Chester city centre.

Cllr Parker, Executive Member for Culture and Economy said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Mark Cavendish Rise Above Sportive in 2015. This continues our long standing involvement in cycling events and build on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics and Cheshire West and Chester Councils commitment to cycling. It is even more pleasing Mark Cavendish has chosen Chester to be the home of his event.”

All three sportive routes will start in finish in the heart of the historic Roman city of Chester, with riders heading along the closed cobbled roads beneath the famous Eastgate clock and then out across the River Dee into the beautiful countryside of North Wales with Snowdonia as the backdrop.

Three separate, circular, routes will allow the Rise Above Sportive to appeal to a wide range of abilities of cyclist, from the 65-kilometre Enthusiast route, to a 120-kilometre Purist route with 1,720-metres of ascent to the 185-kilometre Extremist route with 2,800-metres of ascent.

Rita Waters, CEO of CH1ChesterBID Company said, “CH1ChesterBID are delighted to be working with Mark Cavendish to bring this quality and unique cycling event to Chester. Mark and his team have chosen Chester to showcase this premium event and CH1ChesterBID will be working closely with the city’s businesses to ensure we maximise the benefits for all in the city and enable everyone to celebrate in its success. This is a great opportunity for our hotels to increase their occupancy levels over this weekend as well as our retailers and hospitality businesses to benefit from an increase in visitors.”

Sign up today, via the official website, www.riseabovesportive.com Hurry places are limited!