Tag: UK Sportives

Starting and finishing at Exeter Race Course (map here) the spectacular Moor2Sea offers a choice of two routes – the ‘Challenge’ at 67miles and ‘Extreme’ at 112miles – both of which include a ‘King of the Mountains’ style hill climb at Mamhead followed by a two mile closed circuit finish around the perimeter road of Exeter Racecourse. Medals for all those able to complete their chosen distance within specified time limits and a further special medal pin for those who beat the KoM stage time – this is like a mini-Tour de France with all the unnecessary foreign travel… Both options cost £29 and includes all the usual feed stations, plus energy and recovery drinks, mech support and chip timing. Further details and online entry at www.moor2sea.com

Sure, Essex isn’t known for its hills (Cyclo will resist cliché in saying what it is known for) but with an almost continually undulating 100km – or 100miles for the tougher option – on offer this will still have you out of the saddle as much as in. Taking place on quiet country roads with race HQ based at Gosfield School, Halstead (map here) this promises both well stocked feed stations and a buffet style lunch stop mid-ride that the organisers promise may be difficult to tear yourself away from.

Registration opens at 7.00am for 100-milers with first riders setting off at 7.30am. 100km registration opens at 8.00 and entry fees set with a special ‘fundraiser’ option of £28 (with a promise of raising a further £30 for Action Medical Research) or a straight off £50 sans-sponsorship. Full details and online entry at www.action.org.uk/essex_100

In order to line up with the Castle Combe Cycling Festival, the Severn Bridge Sportive has a new date this year, but you can still expect the same great rides with a choice of either 56 or 100miles, both using the Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit as HQ (map here). Taking in the Cotswold escarpment to drop riders North of Bath and Bristol before tackling the Classic Severn Bridge crossing, one of the (many) niceties of this event is that riders are free to switch distances at the split point as the whim (or ache) dictates. With an 8am start time and the usual feed stations, mech support and broom wagons in place, the Severn Bridge Sportive costs £26 but with a variety of combo tickets also available for access to the Castle Combe Cycling Festival. Full details and online booking at www.severnbridgesportive.co.uk

The Great Shakespeare Ride (or Bard on a Bike as Cyclo think it should be called) not only takes in some of the finest scenery that South Warwickshire and the Cotswolds has to offer, but also serves up enough variety to appeal to everyone. For the less experienced or ‘cycling curious’ the simple 20 mile leisure ride (complete with half way picnic stop) should hit the spot, whilst the 100km options tests the legs a little further and throws in some hills to boot. For those looking for real challenge the 100mile option throws in 6 categorised climbs, taking the breath away in more ways than one. Designed to help raise awareness and funds for The Shakespeare Hospice based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the even is based out of The Stratford Manor Hotel approximately 2 miles from the town (map here) and includes route cards, sweep wagon, feed stations, medal and certificate. Minimum ages apply: 10 (accompanied by an adult) for the leisure ride, 14 for the 100km and 16 for the 100miler and entry fees range from just £10 for a child on the leisure ride to £27 for the full 100.

Further details and inline entry at www.thegreatshakespeareride.org.uk

If you fancy something different, that’s also a bit of challenge, then heading out in peloton formation on the chime of midnight to start a 100mile jaunt from Ironbridge to Barmouth could be just the thing for you. Organised by Bicycles by Design of Jackfield (sister company to The Bicycle Hub) £30 gets you entry and breakfast, and a further £20 will see you and your bike transported back to race HQ (map here). Two food stations en route with the second with fantastic views overlooking the Dovey Valley and if all that’s not enough then you can also feel good about the fact that part of the entry fee goes to Severn Hospice. Over 18s only, further details and online entry at www.thebicyclehub.co.uk

A brilliantly self-descriptive sportive visiting two moors (Exmoor and Dartmoor) over a 100 mile course. Starting at the Bideford Rugby Club (map here) with a 100km route also on offer, the ride – a timed event rather than a ‘race’ the organisers like to point out – takes place mostly on quiet side roads but boasts a number of steep hills totalling around 10,000ft of climb and features some tight bends making it suitable for more experienced and confident cyclists. The advance entry fee of £29 includes fully signed route supported with feed stations and sweeper van/mechanic support, plus feed stations and a medal and goody bag for all finishers. The Two Moors clearly has much to recommend it with stunning scenery and challenging riding.

Further details and online entry available at www.twomoors100.co.uk

The Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge (sponsored by Vion Foods, hence the full event name) is a two day event that will see competitors complete the 146mile circular route of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route which celebrates its first birthday this July. Starting and ending at Norton College (map here) and mostly following quiet country lanes with an overnight camping stop at Hutton Cranswick where riders can enjoy a barbeque, bar and entertainment before breakfast on Day 2. The event is run in aid of the Ryedale Special Families charity which provides care and support for families of children with disabilities and special needs and a minimum commitment to raise £35 is requested of all entrants, but awards are on offer to those who raise the most. Event entry is £25 and includes luggage and tent transfer to/from the halfway camping point – this is a unique opportunity to cycle one of the UK’s newest and finest cycle ways, through stunning scenery whilst raising money for an excellent cause – what’s not to like?

Full details and entry via www.yorkshirewoldscyclechallenge.org.uk

Now in its second year and building on the popularity of the 2011 event that saw 200 riders enjoying some of the finest Shropshire scenery and tackling some of the toughest climbs. Three routes are on offer, meaning something for (nearly) everyone: the 50-miler takes riders over ‘the Clee’ and back down the Corvedale valley, whilst the 70 mile option (new for 2012) steps things up a little and allows riders who previously tackled the ‘baby brother’ route the chance to push things further. Finally the full-on 100 mile option, described by organisers as ‘The Bad Boy Big Brother’ looks truly tough but all that hard work promises to offset by the legendary cake on offer at the Long Mynd feedstation.

Fees are £17 for the 50 mile, £20 for the 70 mile and £23 for the 100 mile option. Race HQ is in Bridgnorth, map here, with full details and registration via www.mamilcycling.co.uk