Organiser's Description

Celebrating its 13th year in 2019, the MagnifiCat has gained the reputation as a prestigious event with a fierce pedigree and a formidable challenge. Forging the rolling Hampshire countryside and classic climbs of the South Downs as one, this event is one of a carefully picked few that many cyclists aim to tick off their ‘to do’ list.

The longest route of the MagnifiCat spans 126 miles and will drag you over more than 6,500ft of hill climbing action on an anti-clockwise loop that begins in Newbury. The most challenging climb from Combe to Ibthorpe is up first. Once this is over with, you’ll plunge back down to the level from which you’ve just climbed, before another steep test for the legs just after the 20 mile marker. The terrain tends to settle after this for a while, albeit with consistent rolling roads, but there are more great climbs to come. In fact, there are nine major climbs in all on this route. 4 distance options.