eden-magazine-issue-26-summer-2015

Plants and pedal-powerPam HortonI knew that the Eden Classic 2015 would be spectacularly different; for a start it wouldpromise riders the unique chance to pedal the length of Eden, past the Rainforest andMediterranean Biomes, something that no other sportive in the world could offer. Thenit would tantalize further with a choice of three routes navigating around Cornwall’snatural beauty and historic landmarks, before returning to Eden.The Eden Sportive 2015 was born outof an exciting collaboration betweenEden and Tempus Leisure. Likethe now established annual EdenMarathon, it represents the Edenethos of allowing people to cometogether through challenges andperseverance. ‘We do the Eden Classicand the Marathon because Eden is allabout connecting people, and these areways to bring hundreds of like-mindedpeople together to celebrate what theylove,’ says Gordon Seabright, Eden’sDirector.The planning of the routes wasexhaustive and meticulous; everyhairpin bend, conspicuous countrylane and eye-watering descent had tobe scrutinised. The routes needed tooffer flats for speed and time gain, hillclimbs for the masochistic and hairwhiteningdescents into the heart ofthe county for thrill-seekers.After some admittedly sporadictraining, the day of the Sportivearrived: May 9 2015. On the previousnight, five cycling friends fromDevon had arrived at my house,laden with Lycra and other essentialparaphernalia, as well as an infinitesupply of excitement and nerves.Bicycles buckled under the weight ofnumerous energy bars, inner tubesand multi-tools strapped to everyavailable section of their frames. Wewere prepared! I responded by rustlingup a carb-loaded feast of pasta, thedistance cyclist’s meal of choice thenight before a gruelling sportive. Andthen to bed early!Six shrieking alarms at dawnannounced the day of the Eden Classicand prompted a small collective cheer.After shoehorning ourselves into themandatory Lycra we gobbled downporridge and banana before riding outto Eden and the starting line.On entering Eden, my sister’schain snapped. An omen, I wondered?Thankfully the Tempus BicycleEden’s Pam Horton and Jamie Curtis from Tempus Leisure cycling through Portmellon.Maintenance team were on hand toresolve pre-cycle hiccups like these andthey fixed it in no time.Eden in the early morning isusually a beautiful vision of serenity.On the day of the Eden Classic theair was filled with extraordinaryexcitement as I and nearly 700 othercyclists congregated at the startingline, poised to begin an incredibleadventure of endurance.In a whirlwind of wheels in motion,I left the starting grid and began theascent out of Eden. This was a newexperience in itself; I normally leavethe outdoor landscape on foot or18