Tag: UK Sportives

The Gentle South Downs Giant sweeps through the picturesque lanes of West Sussex and Hampshire in support of locally based charity AGSD-UK (agsd.org.uk), which supports people living with Glycogen Storage Disease. With Goodwood Racecourse as race HQ (map here), there are three routes on offer: the Giant at 104miles, Spirit at 76miles and the Demon at 44miles, with routes circumnavigating the South Downs National Park between Petworth in the east and the Meon Valley in the west. Passing through some of the prettiest villages and hamlets in the South of England, organisers promise, ‘…you’ll experience an exhilarating and challenging sportive and you’ll be helped to recuperate afterwards with hot food and refreshments.’

Facilities and other niceties include, chip timing, full route marking, mech and emergency support, bike wash, pick-up sweeper wagon, post-event massage opportunities, on-site catering and a free energy drink and snack.

Entry fees for those wishing to cycle for fun and not raise money for the charity (although a small premium from the fee still goes to AGSD-UK) are Giant and Spirit £30 and Demon £20; under-16s are at half that price. If you are happy to fundraise (and why wouldn’t you be?) then fees are: Giant and Spirit £20 and Demon £10, again with U16 rates at half that, except for the Demon which is free to enter. A beautiful looking sportive, in aid of a worthy charity, and at downright bargain prices. Cyclo positively urges you to enter…

Further details and online entry at gsdgiant.org.uk - Still undecided? Take a look at the event video below…

F3 have been delivering cycling, triathlon and running events on and around the Thames since 2006 and as most of their management team has raced at a high level in triathlon/cycling we reckon they might know a thing or two. Their Maxifuel Longest Day Sportive has certainly caught our eye; a choice of 90 or 180km (55/110miles) routes using the 2012 Olympic rowing venue at Dorney Lake as the start/end point, both options takes in some truly beautiful Berkshire and Buckinghamshire countryside. The terrain is rolling rather than serving up anything too terrifying in terms of either ascent or descent, the shorter route, for example, serves up 3500feet of elevation and both distances feature a smile-inducing 20% downhill around 25km from the finish line.

The course will be marked and supplemented with both route cards and GPS downloads ahead of the day and, although organisers make it clear that this is not a race, electronic chip timing is included. The Dorney Lake venue (map here) offers free parking plus massage, hot drinks, Maxifuel and Red Bull stands and music. The entry fee for the 90km sportive is £24.95 and the 180km option £29.95 – full details and online entry at f3events.co.uk

The Richardson’s Rumble Sportive – or to give it its full and proper name, The Richardson’s Rumble Four Counties Challenge – has one straightforward and commendable aim: to give everyone a sporting chance at cracking the magic 100 in the saddle. But fear not, if 100miles still sounds too daunting the good people at Wheels in Wheels Events have also laid on a 100km option. Whichever you choose there will be help from start to finish; along with all the usual niceties of a ‘classic sportive’ – fully arrowed route, mech support, feed stations and broom wagon – for the less experienced riders and newcomers on the shorter route there will be road captains along on the ride who will take groups and pass on information on riding in groups, sportives in general and nutrition.

Registration will take place at the St Ivo Centre in St Ives, Cambridgeshire (map here) opening at 7.00am with the first riders on the 100miler away at 08.00am and 08.30am for the short route. Taking in four counties (hence, of course, the name) the route is described as being ‘on quiet roads without the mammoth climbs of other events,’ with all finishers receiving a food token for that all-important post-ride snack. Entry fee is £19.50 with full details and online entry at wheelsinwheels.com

For details of the headline sponsor the Richardsons Cycles Group (you’ll be starting and finishing outside of their St Ives shop) see richardsonsonline.co.uk

Now in its 6th year the Burgess Hill Springtime Classic Cyclosportive is a true test of fitness, combining exemplary support with testing climbs, exhilarating descents and generous feed stations. Three routes are on offer: the full 71miles with 3 feed stations,?the Challenge Ride at 53miles with 2 feed stations?and the Tour Ride at 35miles and 1 feed station; all use Burgess Hill in West Sussex as HQ and all three take in the beautiful countryside around Ashdown Forest with the longer route travelling into Kent and Surrey.

In addition to technical and first aid support (plus broom wagon for stragglers), the event includes goody bag, chip timing, energy and savory foods at feed stations, reduced-rate post-ride massage and the chance to relax (with further free snacks) and watch a selection of cycling films when all the hard work is done. Entry before March 3 is £28, after is £30, and if places are still available on-the-day entry will be £35. For further details and entry see: srs-events.cc Can’t decide if it’s the ride for you? Take a look at Alistair Cooper’s video of the 2011 edition below…

SRS Springtime Classic 2011 from Alistair Cooper on Vimeo.

Formerly known as the NW Winter Sportive, the Cheshire Mini offers two routes – 30 or 60miles – designed by local club cyclists and both starting at the Poynton Leisure Centre (HQ map here). Heading out through the Cheshire Plains, these are relatively flat routes with few ‘bumps’ to challenge riders, but plenty in the way of encouraging you through the last of the winter months. Entry fees, £15 for the 30miler and £20 for the 60, include a mid-way feed station, bike service, electronic timing and free hot drinks at both the start and finish, with the additional temptation of free fruitcake at the end. Under 16’s are free when accompanied by an adult and entry can be paid for on the day, space permitting, with a £5 surcharge. Full details and advanced entry can be found at cheshireminisportive.blogspot.co.uk