Our great thanks to our Title Sponsor for this event Clive Mitchell Cycles
The Coast and Clay Sportive is back!
With the 2020 event cancelled as a result of the pandemic, we are delighted to be planning for 2021 and we invite you to join us.
Recognised by ‘Cycling Weekly’ as one of ’20 of the best British sportives to ride’, Cornwall Hospice Care is delighted to be sitting in the saddle, taking over from the Rotary Club of St Columb.
There is something for everybody, from the complete beginner to the hardened cyclist who likes a challenge, with 4 routes to choose from:
All the routes are designed to provide enjoyable and safe cycling in spectacular scenery. We start and finish at the magnificent Prideaux Place, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8RP.
En route, you will experience the coastline and cliffs of the north coast, beautiful country lanes of mid Cornwall and the calmer and gentler south coast, before winding your way back through the Cornish countryside where spectacular views and beaches lead to the finish. The route will be well signposted, with strategically placed marshals, well-stocked feed stations and a few hills! All finishers will be awarded a medal and there will be food and drink at the finish.
Well, it’s not a race. Sportives are a great way to get into organised cycling events, giving you the chance to complete a fully signed and supported ride in a relaxed environment. Think of it as the marathon of the cycling world (or a fun run if the word ‘marathon’ brings you out in a cold sweat).
Riding a sportive is a superb way to explore a new area on your bike, in the knowledge that you are fully supported by event staff and surrounded by other enthusiastic participants.
The Extreme and Epic routes are aimed at experienced cyclists who want a serious test of fitness, endurance and stamina. With over 8,000ft of hills for the 104m riders, and 6,000ft for the 71m riders, you will take on the thrills and pain of cycling some tough Cornish climbs, while enjoying the beautiful countryside as well as the rugged coastline.
The Challenge route is aimed at intermediate riders who want to go beyond their normal ability by taking in some serious hills (3,600ft) as a test of their cycling proficiency.
The Inspire route is for cyclists young or old, beginners or the experienced, who want to take their cycling ambitions beyond the Camel Trail or the commute to work.
View the route maps below:
For all riders, sponsorship is optional. However, riders are encouraged to raise sponsorship, no matter how much or how little, you can help to keep our beds open. If you are unable to raise sponsorship at this time, please consider making a donation when you register.
Every £20 you raise will fund one hour of nursing care in our hospices. In 2020 your efforts helped us keep open our beds at St Julia’s and Mount Edgcumbe Hospices, beds that were and remain so needed in this pandemic. You can make the difference in 2021 and support your local adult hospices. Your registration fee will cover the costs of this event, but by raising sponsorship you will enable us to care for more terminally ill people in Cornwall.
Our thanks to our kind sponsors Tregonings of Cornwall
Our thanks to our kind sponsors Suez Cornwall
See the Terms and Conditions of Entry to the Coast and Clay Sportive 2020
Download the Parental Consent Form for the Coast and Clay Sportive 2020
Cornwall Hospice Care and our stakeholders are in regular contact and we are monitoring the UK situation as how best we can deliver this event.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has affected us all and Cornwall Hospice Care is committed to delivering safe and COVID secure events. The Coast and Clay will be our first event ‘back’ as in live, and we will be adhering to all measures in place from Government and Cornwall Council. We will update on what those are nearer the event as it is likely the situation will change from now (Jan 2021) to event day. You should be aware, however, that if restrictions aren’t lifted to satisfy the safety of this event, we reserve the right to postpone and if no suitable date is available, then to cancel the event.
All cyclists will be required to register and collect their number before being allowed to take part. The number must be displayed on the front of your bike; cable ties will be provided. Full joining instructions will be sent to all cyclists no later that one before the date of the event.
All riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. A parental consent form is required for each rider under 16.
All riders, regardless of age, will need to purchase a ticket for the Extreme – 104 mile, Epic – 71 mile and Challenge – 44 mile routes.
Each full price entry to Inspire 17 mile route will also include free entry for two under 16s.
Yes, well over 60 volunteers help ensure the Coast and Clay Sportive is delivered safely and smoothly. We always welcome volunteer help. If you can join us drop the Race Director, Oliver Hoare an email on mailto:ohoare@cornwallhospice.co.uk
The event will be chip timed and an alphabetical list of finishers will be published after the event.
We recommend you equip yourself with:
Spare inner tube(s)
Puncture repair kit
Pump
Multi-tool
Water
Snacks (bananas, energy gels etc.)
Suitable clothes – unfortunately it does rain sometimes
Yes. Helmets are a mandatory safety requirement at the Coast and Clay. Anyone without a helmet will not be allowed to ride.
Road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes are all suitable bikes, although we advise that the longer distances will be more challenging on a mountain bike.
Electric bikes are also welcome, although any form of e-bike with a twist and go style throttle is not permitted.
Yes, there will be ample parking available for cyclists and spectators. More details will follow.
From 7.30am at Prideaux Place, Sunday 19th July 2020. Riders will be started in batches to avoid congestion and must finish by 5.00pm
104m riders from 7.30am
71m riders from approx. 8am
44m riders from approx. 8.30am
17m riders from approx. 9am
DO NOT BE LATE! If you arrive after 9am you may not be allowed to take part.
The route, course splits, hazards and feed stations will be clearly signposted.
Keep an eye out for our motivational signs!
GPS files are available to download above.
It is your responsibility to follow the course. Should you get lost, call the event support number, and we will try to get you back on track.
• 104m route – TBC, although expected to be Roche (30 miles), Mount Edgcumbe Hospice (54 miles) and Summercourt (80 miles).
• 71m route – TBC, although expected to be Roche (30 miles), and Summercourt (54 miles).
• 44m route – TBC, although expected to be Summercourt (30 miles).
• 17m route – no feed station.
Yes, and a totally cool one at that! After you have crossed the finish line, you will receive your finishers medal.
Yes! Anyone who raises over £250 will be offered a jersey for free. If you have raised over £250 please email ohoare@cornwallhospice.co.uk with details of your sponsorship and size, and a jersey will be sent to you.
Or, if you prefer, you can buy a jersey here.
If you have a mechanical problem, please wait at the roadside and call event support on 07817 004430. There will be a sweeper van following the last rider. Pumps and inner tubes will be available at feed stations.
If you cannot complete the ride please tell a Marshal at a check point or phone 07817 004430. Do not go home without telling someone or we will assume you are injured and have the emergency services out looking for you. You will have to pay any costs incurred.
The route will be well signed and this will include signs for motorists for awareness that there is an event on and to exercise caution. There are a handful of tricky junctions and these will be marshalled to keep participants and members of the public safe.
COAST & CLAY SPORTIVE – EVENT STATEMENT 18/05/2020 12.00
The Coast and Clay Sportive 2020 is cancelled – now confirmed for July 18th 2021
In the light of the current Covid-19 pandemic we wanted to update you on our position regarding the Coast and Clay Sportive that was due to be held on Sunday 19th July 2020. We’ve been following and reviewing the government’s advice and had hoped it might be the first event we could run post the pandemic. However, we are sorry to say that we have no choice but to cancel the event and start the plan to run it in 2021.
We can confirm that Sunday 18th July 2021 is the new date for the sportive. The event is unchanged; indeed, the venue and routes remain identical.
We’ve transferred your entry to the 2021 event. If you don’t want to take part next year you have two options to choose from; You can donate your entry free to Cornwall Hospice Care, or you can have a refund of 75% of your fee.
All cyclists entered into this year’s event will be email today, Monday 18th May 2020, by the Event Director.
There’s no need to inform us if you’re happy to be transferred to the 2021 date, but if you choose instead to donate your entry fee or request the refund, please let us know by 30th June 2020. We regret that we can’t offer a full refund as we have costs for the 2020 event that we are unable to recover. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at ohoare@cornwallhospice.co.uk.
In the meantime, thank you for your support. We’re thinking of you all and are pleased to report that with your continuing help our hospices remain open 24/7 and we are still admitting those patients who need us.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Coast and Clay Sportive 2021.
Oliver Hoare
Coast and Clay Sportive Event Director
& Cornwall Hospice Care Head of Fundraising
Registrations are strictly personal, firm and binding and fees shall not be refunded for any reason.
If you are unable to take part please let us know as soon as possible by calling 01726 66868 (option 3). You may defer your place for 2022 or transfer your place to another cyclist. Please note deferrals and transfers will be accepted up to Monday 12th July 2021 at Midday.
If the event is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons beyond our control, we may at our discretion offer a refund of your entry fee(s). However, we reserve the right to deduct an amount to cover the expenses incurred in setting up the event to ensure that Cornwall Hospice Care and our associated partners are not out of pocket due to running this event.
You should be aware, however, that if restrictions aren’t lifted to satisfy the safety of this event, we reserve the right to postpone and if no suitable date is available, then to cancel the event.
Cornwall Hospice Care and our stakeholders are in regular contact and we are monitoring the UK situation as how best we can deliver this event.
