Category: Events

The Cycletta events (supported by Olympic champ Victoria Pendleton) are the leading series of women only UK bike rides set in stunning and family friendly venues; on October 7 it returns for the second year to the fabulous Tatton Park in Cheshire. 40 and 55km courses are on offer with riders usually started in waves of around 150 to keep the routes clear and safe and once underway there is full support from assist crews dealing with punctures and minor bike problems along with a full mech station, sweeper wagons, food and drink. Entry fees are £42 for the 40km route and £44 for the full 55km with all finishers receiving a Cycletta memento and a goody bag. Race venue map here and full details plus online entry at www.cycletta.co.uk

Here at Cyclo we can think of no better combination than cycling and cake. It is with much excitement then that we look forward to Ibbo’s Cake Quest to be held at Tadworth, Surrey later this month. There are three ‘flavours’ of sportive on offer: the 60km Jaffa Cake, the 100km Carrot Cake and the full on 150km Fruit Cake – all using the Walton On the Hill Community Centre as HQ (map here) and with start times between 8 and 10am. Entry fees have been held for 2012 at just £20 (plus a small registration fee) with all profits going to the John Ibbotson Fund which was set up in memory of ‘Ibbo’ (as he was known to friends) who died at just 27 of arythmagenic right ventricular dysplasia. All the usual niceties of a sportive are up for grabs, plus plentiful cake for all. What’s not to like…

Full details at www.ibbocakequest.com

A true test of stamina and skill as you push yourself around the 2.3mile Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in relay. Two challenges on offer, the 8hour or 12hour, the former starting at 11.30am and the latter 7.30 with teams of between 4 and 8 riders dipping into the pit lane to hand over the timing chip to the next rider on their team. This is really unlike any other UK challenge and whilst far from cheap at £250+VAT per person in teams and £150+VAT for solo efforts, this will be a day you will never forget. You also get plenty of bang for your buck with everything from massages, breakfast, lunch and awards dinner thrown into the mix. Goody bags, cycling t-shirts, team photo and a variety of prizes are also included, so what are you waiting for? Full details and online registration can be found at www.cyclothonuk.com

Starting and finishing at Exeter Race Course (map here) the spectacular Moor2Sea offers a choice of two routes – the ‘Challenge’ at 67miles and ‘Extreme’ at 112miles – both of which include a ‘King of the Mountains’ style hill climb at Mamhead followed by a two mile closed circuit finish around the perimeter road of Exeter Racecourse. Medals for all those able to complete their chosen distance within specified time limits and a further special medal pin for those who beat the KoM stage time – this is like a mini-Tour de France with all the unnecessary foreign travel… Both options cost £29 and includes all the usual feed stations, plus energy and recovery drinks, mech support and chip timing. Further details and online entry at www.moor2sea.com

Sure, Essex isn’t known for its hills (Cyclo will resist cliché in saying what it is known for) but with an almost continually undulating 100km – or 100miles for the tougher option – on offer this will still have you out of the saddle as much as in. Taking place on quiet country roads with race HQ based at Gosfield School, Halstead (map here) this promises both well stocked feed stations and a buffet style lunch stop mid-ride that the organisers promise may be difficult to tear yourself away from.

Registration opens at 7.00am for 100-milers with first riders setting off at 7.30am. 100km registration opens at 8.00 and entry fees set with a special ‘fundraiser’ option of £28 (with a promise of raising a further £30 for Action Medical Research) or a straight off £50 sans-sponsorship. Full details and online entry at www.action.org.uk/essex_100

In order to line up with the Castle Combe Cycling Festival, the Severn Bridge Sportive has a new date this year, but you can still expect the same great rides with a choice of either 56 or 100miles, both using the Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit as HQ (map here). Taking in the Cotswold escarpment to drop riders North of Bath and Bristol before tackling the Classic Severn Bridge crossing, one of the (many) niceties of this event is that riders are free to switch distances at the split point as the whim (or ache) dictates. With an 8am start time and the usual feed stations, mech support and broom wagons in place, the Severn Bridge Sportive costs £26 but with a variety of combo tickets also available for access to the Castle Combe Cycling Festival. Full details and online booking at www.severnbridgesportive.co.uk