100km Southampton Sportive
Shuttercraft in Winchester owned by Nigel Phillips-Luke, are participating in this years 100 km Southampton Sportive on September 4th, to raise some much-needed funds for Romsey Abbey Pre and Primary School.
“As a Romsey based business, we’re very keen to support our local school in these difficult times when fundraising has become a struggle.”
Nigel
Keen to get the ball rolling, Nigel has begun training in the area, but needs to fit it in around his busy working schedule:
“Over the last week, I’ve completed three training sessions, covering around 22 miles per session. I’ve been out towards Southampton, Chandlers Ford, Ampfield, Stockbridge, King’s Somborne, Broughton and anywhere in between. Training is going well…when I can find the time to fit it in between Shuttercraft survey’s and installations!”
Sportives are long distance organised events, the cycling equivalent of running the marathon, and involve completing a set route. Sportive events typically range from anywhere between 50 and 150 miles and, although most popular in summer, they run all year round.
The standard Southampton Sportive is the longest distance on offered at the event with a route of just over 100KM (circa 62 miles) with an elevation gain of 987m (the elevation gain in cycling is the total amount you climb in a ride).
Scenic Cycle Route
The course begins in Southampton city centre and branches out to the surrounding countryside making it a scenically enjoyable route.
Heading north of Winchester, the riders will pass through the likes of New Alresford and Stockbridge. Before then coming back down towards Southampton and through Romsey – Nigel’s hometown!
Start times for the Standard Sportive are between 08:00 – 08:45 if you want to go see them off and will end once every cyclist has returned.
The Shuttercraft Team
Though led by Shuttercraft in Winchester owner Nigel, there are also other members of the Shuttercraft team supporting him by cycling on the day.
Tony Reid, Marketing Manager for Shuttercraft Ltd, is a keen cyclist who has undertaken a number of Sportive’s in the past. He is looking forward to this new challenge, getting stuck into training alongside the return to office process currently happening at head office based in Micheldever, Winchester.
“Training time has been severely under pressure of late, so I’m taking the gradual return to the office as an opportunity to get more miles in. It’s about ten miles in, and I’m arriving in refreshed and happy and ready to face the day….once I’ve slipped in stealthily to avoid being seen in my cycling kit, and getting changed in the toilet!“
“But there are challenges with it. I need to take it easy on the way in, not wanting to arrive purple-faced and sweating, and then the way back is subject to weather and mood. It seems to rain more in the early evening in Winchester, and I’m tired at the end of the workday, both of which affect my motivation to clip in and get home under my own steam.“
“Despite my whinging, it’s going quite well, I’m averaging 15mph and not working too hard at that, the big question is going to be what happens when I stretch out to 4-5hrs in the saddle…“
The other cycling attendee is Adam Rolph, sales area manager for UK South, who has ambitiously signed up, but yet to have bought a bike! I have heard; however, you can do the sportive on a tandem….
A JustGiving page has been set up to support the team. You can follow their progress or donate HERE.
Romsey Abbey School is set in beautiful grounds; with their own woodland and playing fields right in the heart of Romsey.
Each year around 30 local children begin in Reception class and remain together until they are ready to move to Secondary School. The school is directly linked to the abbey who lead daily worship and community support to the local area.
Shuttercraft are one of the UK’s largest shutter companies, expertly installing premium, made-to-measure shutters and blinds that transform homes up and down the country. You will always deal with a local Shuttercraft expert via their network of franchise partners – only selling quality S:CRAFT products.