Entry to the Wiggle Dragon Ride 2012, one of the UK's most popular cyclosportives, has opened with would be entrants encouraged to act fast to beat the usual stampede.
The ride will take place on Sunday 10 June, pushed back a week because of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, and will depart for the first time from Margam Park in Port Talbot, Wales. 3,000 tickets are now available on a first come-first served basis, while a further 1,000 subsequently released by ballot.
Three routes are on offer on the day; the challenging Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo rides (£39.50) and the gentler Corto (£29.50). Included in entry are the usual array of electronic timing, route signage, mechanical support, feed stations and goody bag, plus showers, a “pasta party” and live music and entertainment in the event village.
Next year’s routes bypass the coastal sections of 2011, instead focussing on inland South Wales. Major climbs of the Medio Fondo include the Cimla, Rhigos and Bwlch, while there’s a return of the “Hill with No Name” from 2007 for the Gran Fondo, as well as the Black Mountain. As one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK, organisers have been granted 15 miles of road closures along a section of the Brecon Beacons for safety reasons.
Event Director Lou Lusardi is hopeful 2012’s edition will be bigger and better than ever. “‘Now part of the UK round of the UCI Golden Bike World Series, Wiggle Dragon Ride is gaining notoriety as the premier UK sportive event,” he said. “It’s a noted accomplishment in cycling circles for a rider to finish the event. Entrants will find that the changes for 2012 make the finish even more gratifying. It is absolutely, one hundred percent going to be one to boast about having taken part in and completed!
UPDATE: All 3,000 of the initial allocation sold out in just two and a half hours.
