Category: Events

A classic 37mile route, now in its seventh year, the Manchester to Liverpool ride is a delight for both families and more experienced cyclists alike. A mostly traffic free event, the route leaves Salford Quays (between 8.00 and 10.00am to suit, HQ map here), leaving Manchester via Old Trafford and Stretford, where it picks up the Trans-Pennine Trail and even includes a trip down the legendary Penny Lane.

Entry fees vary from £8.00 to £15.00 – plus transport options – and is open to riders from the age of 8 (accompanied by an adult). Please Note: Road bikes are unlikely to be suitable for certain sections.

Full details and entry at: www.bikeevents.com

3 courses on offer here (45/68/98miles) through the ever beautiful Surrey Hills and North Downs with some challenging hills that are, according to the organisers, “rideable if you have a reasonable level of fitness.” Entry is a very reasonable 16, 21 or £25 dependent on course with on the day entry available (as long as things haven’t sold out) with a £3 surcharge. Pretty much everything you could want is included in the price including chip timing, feed stations, mech support, bike wash facilities(!), showers, toilets and an incredibly generous £10-worth of free energy products (whilst stocks last, of course). Registration opens at race HQ (map here) at 7.30 with start times from 8.00 to 9.45am. Further details and online entries available here.

See the 2011 preview video below:

The Meon Valley serves up some of the most spectacular and, at times, challenging, vistas in the South-East of England and as this new sportive is brought to you courtesy of those fine people that organise the New Forest Rattler (Sunday August 21) this should be a doozey – though certainly not a doddle. Two routes on offer of 46/85miles with challenging climbs including Old Winchester Hill and Stoner Hill, plus what the organisers describe as: “some awesome sweeping downhill sections to raise your average mph!”

Race HQ is at Boundary Oak School (map details here) and your £23 on-the-day fee gets you pre-race drinks, feed stations, SAG wagon to pick up the defeated (surely not you), post-race soup and drinks plus a finisher’s medal. 15% of profits goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

For full event details see: www.meonvalleyriser.co.uk