Category: Events

Big wide smooth roads, twisty quiet lanes, steep climbs, flowing descents, fantastic views and a gorgeous Cotswold setting; The Cotswold Edge Sportive, organised by Southern Sportive, looks to have it all. Thee choices of route are on offer here – 73km with 1225m of climb, 101km with 1500m of climb and the monster 128km with 2050m of climb – each hitting a maximum gradient of 16% and all staring from the quiet village of Hawkesbury Upton in South Gloucestershire. For those looking to really test their legs there is the option of taking on the 1:5 (20%) climb of Kilcott Hill (imaginatively dubbed ‘the Kilcott Killer’), just a short detour away from the finish line…

In addition to mechanical and first aid support (plus sweeper waggon) entrants get a free energy drink and an allocation of energy snacks at the feed stations – two on the full and mid routes, one on the shorter route – plus electronic timing and, naturally, comprehensive and clearly marked routes. Registration opens at 8am with riders off between 8.30 and 10am depending on course chosen. Entry fees are £16, £17 and £19 for the three route lengths with full details and online entry at southernsportive.com

Now in its seventh year, Legs of Steel is a truly challenging event, which commemorates Dave Aitchison, a rising star in British triathlon and Ful-On Tri club member who died suddenly in January 2007 aged just 29. Starting and finishing at Box Hill – scene of the 2012 Olympic Road Race action – there are two routes of either 46 or 81km on offer, both with plenty of hills to stretch those legs (of steel). The long route includes 1600m of climbing taking riders up eight major hills, including the awesome 21% ascent of Winterfold Hill, whilst even the ‘easier’, short route punishes riders with more than 1000m of climb.

Route markers are used to identify the way and all the usual niceties are on offer (broom wagon, mechanical support, first aid) along with two feed stations on the long route and one on the shorter. Registration opens at 7.15am on the day with riders away between 8 and 9am and all profits going to the Dave Aitchison SportsAid Fund (justgiving.com/daveaitchisonfund) – this is a stunning looking sportive with plenty of challenge and the perfect opportunity to live out your Bradley Wiggins Olympian dreams.

Further details at legsofsteel.co.uk

The latest offering from Bike Events, the Cardiff and Coast offers two routes of either 30 or 60miles both heading out from the beautifully regenerated Cardiff Bay before heading west into the Vale of Glamorgan and tracking the coast to Ogmore-by-Sea. Stunning scenery along lush green lanes and through the sleepy villages of Ewenny and Gwern-y-Steeple, the route then joins the famed Taff Trail to finish in Bute Park in the heart of Cardiff. Although any bike is feasible or use, hybrid and mountain bikes are likely to make (slightly) lighter work of things, but with fully signed routes and mech and first aid support available there’s little to worry about on this picturesque sportive.

The event is staged in support of the Orchid charity, which promotes awareness of, and funds research into, testicular, prostate and penile cancers. Entry fees – £18.50 or the slightly reduced £18 for teams of six or more – cover the cost of the sportive only and riders are encouraged to raise funds independently for the event charity.

Details and entry at bikeevents.com

The The Big Leeds Bike Ride is a brand new ride for 2013 from Leeds to York and back to raise money for Leeds Children’s Hospital. Starting from Roundhay Park (map here) there’s a choice of 100miles, via Howardian Hills, or the shorter, but equally rewarding, 100km both along country roads to York then back to the finish where you can enjoy refreshments, music and massage – and, of course, a well earned rest. All the usual niceties are on offer – signed routes, marshals and mechanical support – plus the usual care and attention that organisers, Bike Events, are renowned for.

Start times are staggered between 7 and 9am and note that helmets are compulsory, but can be purchased on the day in case of forgetfulness. Entry fees are £19.50, £17.50 for juniors (14-16 year-olds) and £19 for team entries. For full details and online entries see bike-events.com

The Action 100 Bristol/Bath to London bike ride attracts over 600 riders each year and its popularity just keeps on growing. Be in no doubt this is a s tough challenge of over 100-miles (117miles from Bristol and 107miles from Bath t be exact) through seven counties to the finish at Kempton Park Racecourse. Following the old coaching route along the A4, the undulating terrain in the first half of the route offers up some testing climbs that will get your heart pumping but with a great reputation for a truly sociable event we’re sure the miles will fly by (probably…)

Race HQ is the Explore At Bristol gallery (map here) with registration times of 6.00 – 8.00am for Bristol and 6.30 – 8.30am for those picking up the action in Bath. Entry fees are either £28 for the Fundraiser option with a commitment to raise a minimum of £30 for the Action Medical Research charity or £50 Sportive entry for those unwilling to fundraise. But as Action Medical Research funds breakthroughs that benefit sick children it would seem churlish not to support them, no?

Further details and online entry at action.org.uk