Category: Events

Take on this fast and flowing South Chilterns challenge and ride through where the Thames cuts the Chilterns at Goring, up into the jagged profile of the stunning (and often challenging) Chiltern Hills, on a mix of surfaces to test your pace, performance and handling. The Woodcote Wildwood offers three options to cater for a range of riders: The 40km CX with a maximum gradient of 14% and 620m of height gain, the CXX at 60km also with a gradient of 14% but climbs totalling 862m and the full CXXX an 80km challenge with 1207m of climbing (and, again, that maximum gradient of 14%). Exact terrain mix varies but is generally 60% Road (mostly back lanes), 25% fast tracks (fire road/farm track), 10% bridleway and 5% singletrack (semi-technical off road).

Support/feed stations are on route for both the 60 and 80km options (drinks only on 40km) and the event has the usual support and mech vehicles to make sure everyone gets back. The Woodcote Wildwood also offers electronic timing, free Torq energy drinks and free energy snack allocations at feed stations and finish. Registration opens 8.30am at Langtree School, Woodcote (map here), with first ride away at 9.00am – entry for the 80 and 60km routes is £20, and a mere £16 for the 40km CX.

Full details of the Woodcote Wildwood and online entry at cxsportive.com

Started way back in 1998 the Westerley Winter Warmer was devised and developed by Westerley club member Keith Shorten and until 2012 it was run as a club event. Now this great Buckinghamshire ride is open to all and, with the date moved forward to avoid clashing with the established Chilterns Classics series of reliability rides, there are two versions on offer here. The main route at just over 107km in length (66miles) has approximately 1300m (4275ft) of climbing whilst the 58km ‘lite’ version (with 596m/1950ft of ascent) misses out the bigger climbs but retains the challenging ascent of Cryers Hill from the Hughenden Valley. Both events are ‘reliability’ rides, which have a target speed range of 12.5mph – 18mph, which equates to about 3 and a half – 5 hours for the full ride and 2-3 hours for the shorter version.

HQ for the event, the Chalfont St Peter Scout Hut (map here), will be open from 8am with first riders away by 9am. Entry costs £10 on the day or £8 in advance for the longer route and £5 / £4 for the shorter one. Full details and entry at westerley-cycling.org.uk

Sportives are thin on the ground at this time of year, but worry not and put away that turbo trainer (or leave it in the garage where it’s always been) and take a ferry to the Isle of Wight for the Wiggle Super Series Wight Winter Sportive. There are two route distances on offer, the ‘Standard’ 42miler and the ‘Epic’ 61mile option – both starting and finishing from just outside Yarmouth ferry terminal.

Rides start with an anticlockwise direction towards the colourful cliffs of Alum bay and the Needles, picking up the military road with its dramatic cliff-side views, then throwing in a couple of big climbs before heading towards the centre of the island. Rolling hills and spectacular views are compliment with ‘festive’ feed stations with mince pies and hot drinks (but no mulled wine, boo!)

Entry for both the ‘Epic’ and ‘Standard’ including ferry is £39 (£28 without ferry) and you can expect all the usual niceties – full route marking, mech support, chip timing – which come with the Wiggle know-how. Details and online entry at ukcyclingevents.co.uk

Starting at Biggin Hill in the London Borough of Bromley with HQ at Fairchildes Primary School (map here) this Evans Cycles Sportive RideIt! Event takes in some of the best country lanes through Kent, exploring Edenbridge and Westerham and with The North Downs featuring heavily. There are four routes on offer: Fun at 15miles, Short at 30miles, Medium at 50miles and Long at 70miles – the longer rides promising to be tough but with those climbs more than made up for by swooping descents and spectacular views.

Fully way marked routes and waterproof map provided, along with GPS files published in advance, chip timing, mech and broomwagon support and well stocked High5 feed stations. The Fun route costs £5 with all other distances coming in at just £15 and (accompanied) children under the age 16 riding for free.

For further details on the Evans Cycles Sportive RideIt! Biggin Hill see: evanscycles.com

Inspired by GB success at the Tour de France, Central YMCA together with YMCAs from across London bring you the Tour de Y, a 70mile ride that will take in many of London’s best parks and green spaces, including Hyde, Regents and Richmond Park. There are also several different starting points around the route if the prospect of the full route is a little too daunting… The main event begins at 9.30am in Bedford Square (map here), with the second leg departing from the Hawker Centre, Kingston upon Thames at 1pm and the third leg setting off at 4pm from Lordship Recreation Ground, Haringey – the route, being circular, ends back at Bedford Square; for a map of the full route click here.

To ensure a smooth journey, experienced ride leaders will be on hand to guide participants and marshals and signage along the route will help keep things on track (well, road.) Registration costs £15-per-person and either individuals or teams of up to five members can enter; money raised from the event allowing the YMCA to continue changing lives.

The Tour de Y is supported by the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) who offer lots of useful tips about bike maintenance and general advice. For further details and entry see ymca.co.uk