ROAD SPORTIVE: 101 miles/163 km, 63 miles/100 km, 37 miles/60 km

Taunton Flyer

April 28, 2024
from 8:00 am
Register for a race

Which race? See below..

Overview

The Taunton Flyer will be taking place from Smeatharpe Airfield near Honiton. The event supports SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity and is themed around the wartime airfields of East Devon and Somerset, with routes that pass RAF Exeter (Exeter Airport), RAF Dunkeswell, RAF Upottery (Smeatharpe) RAF Culmhead, RAF Merryfield, and RAF Westonzoyland

This popular early season sportive, offers a mixture of open, flowing, flat roads combined with a couple of testing climbs in the Blackdown Hills (an area of outstanding natural beauty). The Taunton Flyer offers you a choice of three routes, the Spitfire (37 miles), the Dakota (63 miles) or the Wellington (101 miles). All routes are fully signed and supported with  quality feed station, outriders, mechanics and medics. The Sportive includes electronic chip timing providing you with an official completion time, plus a finishers medal.

We took this event over from Just Events who ran it successfully for a number of years.

What you get

  • Quality Feed stations
  • RFID chip timing
  • Medals for all finishers
  • Gold, Silver & Bronze standards
  • Event t-shirt for all
  • Live online results
  • Professional event photos*
  • Mechanical support & broom wagon
  • Rider Recovery Service
  • Public Liability Insurance
  • Professional First Aid Cover
  • HQ with toilets, parking & food

* photos free with Sportiva Events logo at social media resolution. Hi-res downloads with no watermark & prints are available for an additional charge

RACE STATS

Wellington Route

SUN 28 APRIL
Distance: 101 miles | 163 km
Elevation Gain: 5500 ft | 1680 m
Registration opens: 07:00
Route Start Time: 08:00-08:30 hrs
Age Limit: 15 years
Cut Off Time: 101 miles | 17:00 hrs
Minimum pace: 13 mph
Entry Limit: 200
Feed Stations: YES (38, 65 & 94 miles)

Dakota Route

SUN 28 APRIL
Distance: 63 miles | 100 km
Elevation Gain:4,000 ft | 1,200 m
Registration opens: 07:00
Route Start Time: 08:10-9:00 hrs
Age Limit:12 years (15 unaccompanied)
Cut Off Time: 16:00 hrs
Minimum pace:9 mph
Feed Stations:YES (26 & 57 miles)

Spitfire Route

SUN 28 APRIL
Distance: 37 miles | 60 km
Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft | 750 m
Registration opens: 07:00
Route Start Time: 08:20 hrs to 9:00 hrs
Age Limit: 11 years (15 unaccompanied)
Cut Off Time: 37 miles | 16:00 hrs
Minimum pace: 5 mph
Feed Stations: YES (25 miles)

EVENT INFORMATION

Parking

There is plenty of parking at Smeatharpe airfield included with your entry fee.

Navigation

The route is fully marked with arrows. However we also strongly recommend you download the route to your Garmin or other similar device as a back up.

For the full list of Cycling Events we organise see sportivaevents.co.uk/cycling-events.

FAQs

What are the medal times for the Taunton Flyer?

They are listed at the bottom of the Event Manual

Cycling Jersey Sizing

Here are the sizes for our Primal Cycling Jerseys

Mens Sizes

Size Chart applies to jerseys, bibs, shorts, wind vest and rhapsody hoodies. All measurements are listed in centimetres.
SizeWaistChestHeight
XS66-74cm84-86cmUp to 163cm
SM74-81cm89-96cm163-173cm
MD81-89cm96-104cm168-179cm
LG89-96cm104-109cm173-183cm
XL96-107cm109-117cm178-193cm
2X107-117cm117-125cm188cm and Over
3X117-129cm125-132cm188cm and Over

Womens Sizes

Size Chart applies to jerseys, bibs and shorts. All measurements are listed in centimetres.
SizeWaistHipsHeightChest
XXS<61cm<86cm<157cm<81cm
XS61-64cm86-89cmUp to 157cm81-84cm
SM64-69cm89-94cm156-165cm84-89cm
MD69-74cm94-99cm162-172cm89-94cm
LG74-81cm99-107cm170-180cm94-102cm
XL81-89cm107-115cm178-185cm102-109cm
2X89-94cm115-120cm180-188cm109-115cm
3X94-99cm117-122cm180-188cm114-119cm
4X96-101cm119-124cm180-188cm114-119cm
5X101cm+122cm+180cm+122cm+

Do you allow ebikes at your road sportives?

Yes we do. However we cannot guarantee charging on course so make sure your battery life is sufficient for the distance you have chosen.

What is better about a road bike?

Road bikes, as the name suggests, are designed for use on the road. They typically have a more aggressive, more aerodynamic position, dropped handlebars and smooth relatively narrow tyres. A gravel bike fitted with slick (ie smooth tyres) will be almost as good. A chunkier full-suspension mountain bike with knobbly tyres will slow you down considerably.

Can I use Tri bars (aerobars)

No these are not permitted as they can be dangerous if your riding in bunch or small group.

Will there be timing chips?

Yes, timing chips are mounted on the back of your race numbers. These need to be attached, using the zip ties we provide, to the front of your bike. Please ensure, as far as you can, that the number is not covered up by cables, bags or anything else.

ROUTE MAPS

DOWNLOADS & LINKS

Race Manual
Route map
Start List

LOCATION

Smeatharpe, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9RF

Event Gallery

taunton flyer
taunton flyer helicopter
Really really enjoyed it - super Wellington route, thoughtfully put together with the airfield theme and well stocked feed stations with friendly people. Thank you to all
Nick Mott

Results

View results here
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