Category: Events

Back for its second year the Somerset Hills Gran Fondo is set for the off on May 6 with its combination of flats (few and far between) and truly challenging, ‘maximum output’, climbs that incorporates the breathtaking Mendip, Quantock and Exmoor hills. The adventure is on offer in two flavours: the Medio Fondo at 124km and the full-on Gran Fondo at 180km with both offering full mech and medical support along with feed zones and shared HQ facilities at Broadway House Holiday Park, Cheddar (map here).

Organiser say they are seeking ‘enthusiastic energetic participants’ – so if that sounds like you and you think that £19 (£25 on the day) for 110+ miles of cycling is good value (and how could you not?) then further details, along with entry available at www.somersetgranfondo.co.uk

Not so much a sportive as an act of masochistic lunacy, that Cyclo can only applaud with much admiration. Starting in Llanfoist, Monmouthshire, Wales, at an altitude of 54m the intention is to climb, as many times as possible, the infamous Iron Mountain (also know as the Tumble) the crest of which sits at a not unimpressive 512m after 6km of climb. Yes it’s mad, yes it sounds bad (in a great way) and it’s all in a good cause – Cancer Research UK – with the effort of the day’s cycling, so say the organisers, symbolizing ‘…the sheer impossible task that cancer patients undertake every day to live life in spite of a disease.’ The entry fee is a mere £20, although you will of course be expected to raise as much sponsorship as possible. Race HQ map here and full details, including entry at www.tumbleup4life.wordpress.com

Still not convinced? Take a look at last year’s highlights video:

What better way to spend a few hours than peddling 75 miles through some of Lancashire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire’s most iconic landscapes on a sportive named after Britain’s first Tour de France stage winner. The £25 event has its HQ at the Stadium Health and Fitness Centre, at the famous Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield (map here) with rider registration opening at 7.30 for a 9.00am start. The route takes in some truly iconic climbs including Holme Moss along with the area made famous by Last of the Summer Wine, where you can image yourself shooting down a hill in a bathtub.

Running since 2007 the sportive has previously raised in excess of £28,000 and this year will be donating to both the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Dave Rayner Fund, which was set up in memory of the late cyclist to help nurture new talent. Full details and entries at www.sientries.co.uk

The twin-distance sportives (£25 fee) both register 7.30-8.30am at Catmos College (map here) for a start of 8-9am on what promises to be an exceptional tour of the local scenery with the 100 mile option breaking out of Rutland and into neighbouring Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The shorter distance offers up 2,861 feet of climb whilst the longer run takes in an impressive 4,839 feet. Full details, downloadable maps, gpx files and online entry all available from www.itpevents.co.uk

Now in its third year the Chilterns Dipper Sportive, based at Shiplake College, near Henley on Thames (HQ map here) is one of the leading southern sportives along the Thames Valley. Organised by F3 Events, the sportive takes in mainly B roads and meanders around the Chiltern country side over a 103.22 mile route which promises plenty of amazing scenery, ascents and descents. Maxi Fuel are on board this year as the Official Nutrition Partner, to help you get around the course in good shape and organisers promise that: ‘feed stations will be full and plenty.’

Registration opens at 7am with the first group out at 8am and the final group out no later than 10.30; all finishers will receive a t-shirt & goodie bag. Ride fee is £29.00 (no entries on the day) and the field is restricted to 200 competitors.

Further details and online entry at www.f3events.co.uk

Trailed as ‘Scotland’s newest mass participation cycle event’ the Scottish Bike Show Sportive is a tour through the countryside around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park with two routes from which to pick: 100miles (4 feed stations) and 65miles (3 feed stations). Balloch Castle is the start point for both rides (map here) and all the usual niceties and support are fully inclusive of the entry fees – £22.50 for the shorter route and £26.50 for the 100miler. With plenty of climbing on offer over both routes, it’s good to know that the fee also includes entry into The Scottish Bike Show on the day of your choice for a little light refreshment and recuperative shopping therapy.

Further details and online entry at  www.thescottishbikeshow.com

What finer way to spend Easter Monday (April 9) than on this stunning sportive through some of the best roads in the South West. A pick of either 105km or 105miles (170km) through the Cotswolds from the base in Cirencester (HQ map here), the ancient Roman capital of Britain, including what the organisers call ‘some of the most feared climbs in the area’. The shorter route takes on somewhere in the region of 1071m of climb, whilst the longer slog takes in an impressive 1667m. Well signed routes, broom wagon, chip timing, NEG outriders and a good supply of food at the manned feed stations all included for the £24.50 fee.

The event will start at 8am, with riders leaving in groups of 50 – with a 2 minute interval between each group. Riders for both the 105km and 105 mile route can set off together, and will be in no particular order. But all riders must be on the road by 9am. What are you waiting for?

Further information and signup at cotswoldspringclassic.co.uk