F3 have been delivering cycling, triathlon and running events on and around the Thames since 2006 and as most of their management team has raced at a high level in triathlon/cycling we reckon they might know a thing or two. Their Maxifuel Longest Day Sportive has certainly caught our eye; a choice of 90 or 180km (55/110miles) routes using the 2012 Olympic rowing venue at Dorney Lake as the start/end point, both options takes in some truly beautiful Berkshire and Buckinghamshire countryside. The terrain is rolling rather than serving up anything too terrifying in terms of either ascent or descent, the shorter route, for example, serves up 3500feet of elevation and both distances feature a smile-inducing 20% downhill around 25km from the finish line.
The course will be marked and supplemented with both route cards and GPS downloads ahead of the day and, although organisers make it clear that this is not a race, electronic chip timing is included. The Dorney Lake venue (map here) offers free parking plus massage, hot drinks, Maxifuel and Red Bull stands and music. The entry fee for the 90km sportive is £24.95 and the 180km option £29.95 – full details and online entry at f3events.co.uk
