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Santini Cotswold Autumn Classic – October 5

Cotswold Autumn Classic

Cotswold Autumn ClassicNow in it’s third year the Santini Cotswold Autumn Classic is set to be bigger and better than ever, offering riders the choice of 50km, 100km, or 160km (100 mile) routes through some of the best countryside the Cotswolds has to offer – and you won’t need to decide on the route you’re taking until you get to the split point on the day.

 

Starting and finishing in Cirencester, each route is comprehensively signed, with well stocked feed stations (one for the 50km and 100km routes, and two for the 160km route) and offers motorcycle outrider support and mechanical support provided on the day by Performance Cycles, at the start, each feed station and also in a support car out on the road. That all-important free hot food is also on offer to all finishers.

 

Entry for the Santini Cotswold Autumn Classic is now open and is just £24.50 for all distances/routes – places are limited to just 600 riders. Full details at cotswoldautumnclassic.co.uk

 

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Gorrick TVT Cool MTB Challenge – October 5

Gorrick TVT Cool MTB Challenge

Gorrick TVT Cool MTB ChallengeThe winter version of the Gorrick Hot MTB Challenge – see what they’ve done with the name? – offers a well established  event for riders of all abilities and a choice of either 45km or the family friendly 30km with all the facilities and back up that you would expect from Gorrick. Riders can decide during the event which route to follow, both are circular for easy navigation, fully marked and have free energy drink and food stops on them.

 

Based out of the Charlton Sport and Leisure Centre, Andover, Hampshire, this end of season fully marked route features some of the favourite off road trails in north west Hampshire, a delightful mix of bridleways and byways that allows riders to fully take in the splendour of the Autumn colours. The potential for mud, say the organisers, just seems to makes this event even more of a favourite with riders, whatever their ability. Post-ride there is plenty of space for bike washing on return and lots of hot food and drink to round off the day.

 

Registration opens at 8.15am with start times between 8.30am and 10.30am. Entry is a snip at £18 and even more so for the over 65s who pay just £12 and children (accompanied) who ride free. Full details and entry for the Gorrick TVT Cool MTB Challenge at testvalleytour.com

 

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The 508 Bicycle Race – October 4-6, 2014

508 Bicycle Race

508 Bicycle RaceAn epic of an American ride and this year marks the 31st Anniversary of The 508 Bicycle Race, which is now officially known as the Silver State 508, and was founded by John Marino in 1983; it’s widely regarded (certainly promoted) as ‘The Toughest 48 hours in Sport’.

 

This 508-mile race (hence the name) is revered the world over for its epic mountain climbs, stark desert scenery and desolate roads and the 2014 race route will be based in Reno, crossing northern Nevada on Highway 50, known as ‘the loneliest highway in America.’ Solo, two-person relay, and four-person relay divisions are offered with a field limit of around 250 racers; 70 soloists and 70 relay teams.

 

If you’re tempted by the route and 35,000 feet of climb solo entry costs $550 (£330). Further details of the 508 Bicycle Race at the508.com

 

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Friends Life Tour Ride 100 – October 5, 2014

Friends Life Tour Ride 100

Friends Life Tour Ride 100With a choice of two routes – 50 and 100 miles – The Friends Life Tour Ride 100 is the official sportive of the Friends Life Tour of Britain, re-launched in 2014 to offer an annual focus on roads with a Tour heritage. Circular routes for both the 100-mile Pro Ride and 50-mile Challenge Ride will start and finish from Staffordshire University’s Leek Road campus, where a promotional cycle village will be the focus of entertainment pre and post-ride.

 

The event offers the chance to experience the full Tour of Britain infrastructure and members of Britain’s UCI Continental squads and leading women’s teams will be alongside (or well ahead.) Just like the pros, all riders will enjoy support from Specialized mechanics at feed stations and en route via their SKODA support vehicles and Tour Partners Chain Reaction Cycles will be on to check your back and rectify any last minute or post-ride issues.

 

Entry for the Friends Life Tour Ride 100 is £85 or £35 as part of a fundraiser for action.org.uk – full details at tourride.co.uk

 

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Tommy Goodwin Challenge – September 28, 2014

Tommy Goodwin Challenge

Tommy Goodwin ChallengeThe Tommy Godwin Challenge was created in 2013 by Sarah and Mike Adams to honour the cycling icon and 1948 Olympic medallist Tommy Godwin, and to build on the legacy of London 2012 (of which he was an ambassador.)

 

Starting and ending at the Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull (map here) there are two routes available – a 30km option for families and less experienced cyclists and a more challenging 100km route with feed station and timing.  Both are well signed and with route cards provided, wending their way through the Warwickshire lanes, with the sportive making a brief foray into Worcestershire via Feckenham. With only a couple of climbs, Tommy Goodwin Challenge is an ideal end of season event both for the experienced rider and those looking for their first sportive.

 

Entry is nothing short of a bargain at just £20 for the 100km ride and £12 for an individual entry to the 30km option or £25 for a family of four. Full details and online entry for the Tommy Goodwin Challenge at tommygodwinchallenge.weebly.com

 

 

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Lord of the Lochs – September 27, 2014

Lord of the Lochs

Lord of the LochsBased in and around Corpach, north of Fort William, The Lord of the Lochs Sportive returns for 2014 to take the rider on an unrivalled route of quiet roads and spectacular scenery passing many sights of historical interest. From the event start, riders will head out west to Glenfinnan for the first climb of the day. There are two options available: The ‘Standard’ Lord of the Lochs at 156km and the more challenging Lord of the Lochs Elite covering 180km.

 

There will be 3 feed stations on the course providing teas and coffees, water, cakes, bananas, peanuts and other light snacks (no hot food) and registration will be open from 8:00 to 9:30 with riders being allowed to start at any time between 08:30 and 10:00. Entry fee for both distances is £28.

 

Organised by No Fuss Events, further details and online entry for the Lord of the Lochs at nofussevents.co.uk

 

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The Isle of Man CC 24 – September 27-28

Isle of Man CC 24

Isle of Man CC 24New for 2014 The Isle of Man CC 24 is a non-stop ultra-cycling challenge for the truly hardy. The challenge is simple (in concept, at least) how many laps of the TT Mountain Course can you ride in 24 hours? Open to solo riders and relay teams of 2,4,6,8,10 or 12 people, The Isle of Man runs alongside the Isle of Man CC with camping in the grounds of the TT Grandstand to guarantee a great atmosphere for everyone involved in both events.

 

Starting and finishing in the pit lane at the iconic TT Grandstand the event offers electronic timing, two feeding stations around the course, support vehicles circulating around the course and masseurs, medical and mechanical support at the TT Grandstand.

 

Organised and run by Greenrock Ltd, The Isle of Man CC 24 has various entry prices, depending on numbers, ranging from £180 for a solo effort to £1500 for a full team of 12. Details and online entry at isleofmancc.com

 

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The Brecon Devil Sportive – 21st September

Brecon Devil Sportive

Brecon Devil SportiveStarting from Brecon Leisure Centre (map here) the Brecon Devil Sportive – one of the many devilishly-themed rides from Red Kite Events offers 43mile, 66mile and a 98mile route options around the quiet roads north of Brecon. The gorgeous backdrop of the Welsh mountains promises to take the mind off the challenge, which is rarely less than undulating – the go-to cycling euphemism that always means ‘hillier than you hoped’.

 

The 43mile Brecon Devil Sportive route covers 1,722 metres of ascent taking in the climbs of Llandyfalle Hill, Waun Hirwaun, The Eppynt and the easy rolling roads back to Brecon, whilst the 66-miler ups the game to 2,450 metres of climbing taking in same climbs as the 43mile route, but adding in the rolling roads around Abergeswyn and Llanwrtyd Wells. The 98mile option (4083 metres of climbing) takes in the same climbs as the other routes but then adds the Devil’s Staircase (a classic, brutal climb with two hairpins), plus the tough climbs around Llyn Briane before the climb from Cyngordy up to Crychan Forest.

 

The food stops – one on the 43miler and two on both the 66 and 98milers – will be supported by High 5 and The Drovers Rest Restaurant. Entry to all three distances is £25 until August 31, £30 from September 1 until closing 7 days before the event. Further details and online entry for the Brecon Devil Sportive at redkite-events.co.uk