Category: Events

Wrap up for a challenging ride in Surrey that also dips in to Sussex, taking in Crocknorth Road and Juniper Climb early on in the 60mile route. The Christmas Cracker is the perfect post-Xmas way to get, literally, back in the saddle and try and forget the excesses of the holiday season. HQ is the Cobham Village Hall (map here) with registration from 7am and an early start of 7.30 likely to blow away those cobwebs. Chip timing SAG wagon and feed station are all provided for what looks to be a challenging day on the bike. Don’t forget those winter tyres…

Entry to the Christmas Cracker is £25 with further details and online entry at 5034events.co.uk

Part of the Performance Cycles series of winter events, the final ride of 2014 takes place on December 14 based out of the Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester (map here.) The format is simple and designed purely to keep up the energy and the miles during the winter months. There’s no electronic timing or feed stations, and the route – between 45 and 65miles – aren’t leg-busting but are well marked with full mech support. There are free energy products for each rider and hot food, drinks and cake for all finishers. Best of all the price is an incredible bargain at just £8.50.

Places are limited on the Performance Cycles Winter Mini-Sportives to just 150 riders, so if you’re serious about keeping those miles ticking by through the winter we recommend you book early. Details and online entry at performancecycles.co.uk

It’s never too late in the year to fit in a good sportive and the GTC Screamer packs in a huge amount in its 84miles – from the reed lined moorland lanes, to the grandeur of Cheddar Gorge, to Glastonbury Tor, the history of Wells Cathedral and the pre-history of Iron Age Ham Hill.

Starting just outside the picturesque village of South Petherton in Somerset, at GTC Headquarters, registration begins at 7.30am. Grand Tour Cycling will supply support vehicles on the course, riding leaders in attendance on the course, and two feed stations. Riders will be timed on the course, and event timings will be published on the web on completion of the event. Waymarking is ‘careful and copious’ – so it should give you ample opportunity to savour the views, and those climbs without getting lost. This ride takes in one big climb up the infamous Cheddar Gorge.

Entry to the GTC Screamer is £25 with full details at grandtourcycling.co.uk

If you don’t want to lose form over the winter a late season sportive should be just the ticket and the Essex Season Ender, which takes place on roads that can be thoroughly enjoyed at any time of year, perfectly fits the bill. The event HQ is the prestigious Redbridge Cycling Centre (map here) giving you a stunning view of the City of London while still being surrounded by the peace of the countryside and there is a choice of two routes – 42miles and 72miles – to decide between.

The Essex Season Ender 42miler is a great route for the beginner or someone entering a first sportive; following those on the long route for the first 21miles, then cutting west and re-joining those on the long ride at the feed station at Moreton. The 72miler take riders further out onto the quiet countryside roads of Essex towards picturesque villages such as Doddinghurst, Willingale and Good Easter before heading west towards High Roding – a stunning route with a few rewarding hills that creates more of a challenge for those looking to feel the burn in their legs.

Both of the rides include free energy drinks and snacks, chip timing, emergency and pick-up/sweep support. Entry to the Essex Season Ender is £19 for the 72miles and £16.50 for the 42miler – entry to both on the day, places allowing, is £25. Full details and online entry at sportiveuk.co.uk