UPDATE 30th September: Today should be the last day to ride your Evesham Virtual Cyclefest route BUT due to popular demand we’ve decided to keep it going until the end of October! Early Autumn is a fantastic season to be out on your bike with crisp mornings, beautiful leaves and (with luck) some sunny blue skies so we wouldn’t want you to miss out. You’ve now got a whole extra month to ride one or more of our Cyclefest routes and claim your medal. If you completed your ride by the end of September, we’ll be sending out/delivering your medals at the end of this week.
Due to covid-19, we had to take the decision to cancel the planned 7th Evesham Cyclefest that was due to take place on July 19th 2020. We still want to support our chosen charities and of course get more bums on bikes so as an incentive to enjoy riding your bikes on the beautiful roads around the Vale of Evesham we are offering a virtual event.
Ride as many of the routes as you like before the end of September October and submit your results. Entries cost £10 which includes a medal.
ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
How it Works
Step 1 – ENTER
Enter the challenge online.
Step 2 – RIDE
Choose a route and get out on your bike and ride between now and 30th September 2020 31st October 2020.
We have route options to suit all riders which showcase the best cycling the Vale of Evesham has to offer.
- Leisure Ride – 18 miles
- Frolic – 38 miles
- Romp – 101km (63 miles)
- Escapade – 103 miles
Step 3 – REPEAT
Repeat Step 2! You can ride as many or as few of the routes as you like. Please note: only one medal per entry.
Step 4 – RESULTS
Submit your results. We’ll send you an email with a link to claim your ride. If you kept a record of your time, you can submit this too, but that’s optional. Fill out the form once for each route you complete. There will be a list of results published on the website, but you can remain anonymous if you wish.
Step 5 – GET YOUR MEDAL!
At the end of the challenge you’ll receive your medal in the post, engraved with “Evesham Virtual Cyclefest”. Well done!
Routes
Click on the tabs to see the different routes. If you have a gps device you can download the track from ridewithgps. To navigate with a phone use the ridewithgps app or the strava app. There’s a link to the route in strava on each tab.
Frolic 38 miles
The Frolic offers a 38 mile route through The Vale of Evesham without touching the longer climbs of the Cotswolds but with a few shorter hills to help you earn your finisher’s medal.
Heading south from Evesham, you’ll visit the quintessential Cotswold village of Broadway before turning north to Honeybourne. From here you’ll pass through the pretty villages of Pebworth and Dorsington, then cross the River Avon into Bidford. The road rolls as you make your way west past Abbots Morton then south through the Lenches where you’ll find the final challenge of the day with a few short but sharp climbs. A steadier climb takes you to the outskirts of Evesham and then it’s downhill all the way to the finish.
Romp 101km
This 101km offers plenty of variety with some great, fast roads as well as a few short, sharp climbs to get the legs working.
After a nice easy roll out from Evesham you’ll climb over to Aston Somerville before making your way over to the quintessential Cotswold village of Broadway. You’ll then head towards the River Avon at Bidford before turning west. The middle section of the ride takes you through The Lenches, famous for their short but punchy climbs, after which the road becomes a bit easier as you drop down into the Georgian town of Pershore. Here you’ll pass through the shadow of the impressive abbey where a choice of cafes give you the chance to grab enough calories to get you through the last part of the ride.
Crossing the Avon once again you’ll then follow the classic cycle route around Bredon Hill through chocolate box villages before the final sprint back into Evesham.
A route that will suit those stepping up a distance from last year without the longer climbs and greater mileage of the Escapade.

Escapade 103 miles
This 103 mile route takes you along some of the best roads for cycling the Vale of Evesham has to offer, from challenging climbs to fast, straight lanes and through picturesque villages and towns.
After a sedate roll out from Evesham your first climb looms large after Hailes Abbey as you haul yourself up the old Saltway onto the Cotswold Escarpment. You will be rewarded with amazing views back down to the Vale as you follow the ridge before a fast drop down Snowshill into Broadway. Catch your breath and prepare for the next ascent at Saintbury.
Enjoy the descent back into the Vale and onto flatter roads across to the River Avon. The middle section of the route takes you through The Lenches, famous for their rolling roads and short but punchy climbs.
Then a beautiful section of the route takes you through leafy lanes, past Croome Court and into the Georgian town of Pershore past the impressive Abbey. Crossing the River Avon once more you’ll then follow a classic route amongst local cyclists skirting round Bredon Hill before the final sprint back into Evesham.
A great day out on two wheels that offers something for experienced riders as well as those attempting this distance for the first time.

Leisure Ride 18 miles
Our 18 mile scenic route is designed for families, beginners, or any cyclist who is a bit rusty and hasn’t ventured onto the roads.
Why not make it a family affair and cycle out with your children or grandchildren? Stop half way and have an ice cream in Broadway, enjoy the views and take it as easy as you like.
Under 16’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and all under 18’s must have signed parental consent.
Parking
You can start your ride at any point along the route, but if you’re starting in Evesham you can find a map of the car parks here.
Refreshments
We can’t provide our famous feedstations so you’ll need somewhere to refuel en route. Here are a few suggestions (please check opening hours before you set off).
ALL ROUTES
- Evesham – Raphael’s
- Evesham – Delicious Cafe
- Broadway – loads of cafes and tearooms to choose from
FROLIC, ROMP & ESCAPADE
- Bidford on Avon – The Village Cafe
- Hillers Farm Shop
ROMP & ESCAPADE
- Caribou (A few hundred metres off route)
- Bishampton Village Store and Cafe
- Pershore – Coffee#1
- Pershore – Koffee & Cake
- Beckford Silk Courtyard Cafe
ESCAPADE only
Public toilets are marked on the route maps above.
Charity Partners
Money raised from the event will be split between these two fantastic causes.
Evesham & District Mental Health Support Services
About Cycle Evesham Vale
Evesham CycleFest began in 2014 as a fundraiser for the Bell Tower appeal and featuring a sponsored Big Ride to London, CycleFest now raises funds for Cycle Evesham Vale and its chosen charity partner of the year.
Cycle Evesham Vale was formed in 2015, to promote and advocate for cycling in the Vale of Evesham. Running monthly social cycle rides, Easy Rider groups, working with local, district, county and national government bodies to make cycling a priority, and encouraging cyclotourism in the Vale, CEV is a totally voluntary group with no charges for participation.The aim of CEV is to ‘Get more bums on bikes’ – and CycleFest is just one of the ways we hope to do that. If you’d like to know more, visit our website, facebook or drop us an email – we’re always happy to chat!