2008 BRITISH CYCLO-SPORTIVE CALENDAR
Welcome to Cycling Weekly's 2008 British cyclo-sportive calendar.
Cyclo-sportives and challenge rides are continuing to boom in the UK, with more events than ever on the calendar. There's something for everyone here, ranging from rides covering less than 20 miles to multi-day spectaculars taking in over 500 miles.
In the list below we've included every cyclo-sportive and challenge ride we can find, plus a number of other events of a slightly different nature that might appeal to the 'sportiviste'.
We've covered as many events as possible but no doubt new events and details will spring up through the year.
Keep checking back for further updates.
Have we missed anything out? Let us know by emailing us at cycling@ipcmedia.com.
You can find reviews of many UK rides and cyclo-sportives in our extensive online Rides section.
| Sunday February 24 |
Where: Surrey
HQ: Fetcham Village Hall
Distance: 100km
Entry: £8 (£10 on day)
Further info: www.swrc.org.uk
Phil Cooke Challenge
Where: Dunchurch-Towcester-Dunchurch
HQ: Dunchurch Village Hall on A426
Distances: 50km, 100km
Entry: £3
| Sunday March 2 |
Where: Cobham, Surrey
HQ: St John Ambulance Hall
Distance: 95km, 125km
Entry: £6 (£8 on the day)
Further info: www.everydaycycling.com
| Saturday March 8 |
Where: Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire
HQ: Epic Cycles, Tenbury Wells
Distance: 50 miles
Entry: £10 (SOLD OUT)
Further info: www.epic-cycles.co.uk
| Sunday March 23 |
Where: Stamford
HQ: Lady Anne's Hotel, St Martins Without, Stamford
Distances: 50km, 100km, 160km
Entry: £15
Further info: www.clarioncc.org
| Monday March 24 |
Where: North east of London in Essex, taking in 'The Easters' (High Easter and
Good Easter villages)
HQ: Fairlop, Essex
Distances: 65km, 113km
Entry: £5, £7 on the day
Further info: http://www.londonphoenix.co.uk
| Sunday March 30 |
Where: Cheshire
HQ: Knutsford Leisure Centre, Knutsford, Cheshire
Distances: 69 miles, 98 miles
Entry: 69 miles: £23;
98 miles: £27
Further info: www.kilotogo.com
| Sunday April 13 |
Where: Cumbria
HQ: New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Great Langdale
Distance: 120km
Entry: £15
Further info: www.epicevents.org
| Sunday April 20 |
Where: Cornish Atlantic Coast, Bodmin Moor
HQ: Dragon Centre, Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin
Distance: 100 miles and 110km
Entry: £25
Further info: www.northcornwalltor.co.uk
| Sunday April 27 |
Where: Swindon
HQ: Shrivenham, Wiltshire
Distance: 150km
Entry: £20
Further info: www.whitehorsechallenge.com
Mayor's Charity Sportive
Where: Huddersfield
HQ: YMCA Sports and Social Club, Laund Hill, Salendine Nook, Huddersfield
Distance: 80 miles
Entry: £15
Further info: www.kirklees.gov.uk/sportive
Sunday Sportive Series
Where: The Chilterns
HQ: Princess Risborough School
Distances: 65k, 95k, 140k
Entry: £15- £17
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk/sundaysportive
| Saturday May 3 |
Where: Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfries, Scotland
HQ: Castle Grounds
Distances: 38 miles, 82 miles
Entry: £20 donation requested
Further info: www.drumlanrig
challenge.btik.com
| Sunday May 4 |
Where: Monmouth
HQ: Chippenham
Distance: 85 miles
Entry: £21 (entry online £30)
Further info:www.forestofdeanspringclassic.co.uk
Preseli Teifi Sportif
Where: Newport, Pembrokeshire, West Wales
HQ: Newport Parrog
Distance: 30.5 miles (Loop 1) and 47 miles (Loop 2)
Entry: Loop 1: (30.5 miles) £10; Loop 1 and 2: (77.5 miles) £20
Further info: www.velo-teifi.org.uk or www.newport-pembs.co.uk
| Friday May 9-Monday May 12 |
Where: Lisburn, Cavan Town, Galway, Kilkenny and Dublin, Ireland
HQ: www.tourofireland.eu
Distance: 502 miles over four stages (115m, 124m, 140m, 123m)
Entry: £400, includes four nights' accommodation, feed stations, full support and more. See website for details.
Further info: www.tourofireland.eu
| Saturday May 10 |
Where: Applecross Peninsular, North West Scotland
HQ: Shieldaig Village Hall
Distance: 45 miles
Entry: £30
Further info: www.bealach-na-ba.co.uk
| Sunday May 11 |
Where: Lake District. Takes in all the major Lakeland passes concluding with double whammy of Hardknott and Wrynose.
HQ: Conniston, Cumbria
Distance: 112 miles
Entry: £30
Further info: www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk
Dartmoor Classic Cyclo-Sportive
Where: Dartmoor, Devon.
HQ: Kingsteignton
Distances: 160km
Entry: £25
Further info: www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk
Classic Oxfordshire Bike Ride
Where: From south Oxfordshire up to Abingdon and into the Vale of the White Horse.
HQ: Didcot
Distances: 30 miles, 60 miles
Entry: £12.50 (£6.50 under 14s)
Further info: www.bike-events.com
Squires and Spires Cyclo-Sportive
Where: Northamptonshire
HQ: Naseby Village Hall, Naseby, Northants
Distances: The Maid: 40 miles; The Duchess: 80 miles
Entry: £20
Further info: www.justracinguk.com
Sunday Sportive Series
Where: South Downs
HQ: Duncton Village Hall, Duncton
Distances: 65k, 95k, 140k
Entry: £15- £17
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk/sundaysportive
| Sunday May 18 |
Where: Highland Perthshire
Distances: 81 miles
Entry: £49
Further info: www.etapecaledonia.co.uk
Etape du Dales
Where: North Yorkshire.
HQ: Grassington.
Distance: 110 miles
Entry: £30 (SOLD OUT)
Further info: www.etapedudales.co.uk
Castle Ride 100
Where: Tonbridge, Kent.
HQ: Tonbridge Castle
Distance: 100 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.castleride.org
Hampshire Hilly Hundred
Where: Hampshire Downs
HQ: Perins School, New Arlesford
Distances: 132km, 152km, 165km
Entry: £20, £30 with T-shirt
Further info: www.sportivecycling.org.uk
Dorset 100/50
Where: Wareham Middle School, Worgret, Wareham
HQ: www.bike-events.com
Distances: 100 miles, 50 miles
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
The Phoenix CC Sportive
Where: Northern Ireland
HQ: Lamh Derg GAA Complex, Hannahstown
Distances: 60m, 100m
Entry: £20
Further info: www.phoenix-sportive.co.uk.
| Saturday May 24 |
Where: Ruthin, Wales
HQ: Rugby Club, Ruthin, Wales
Distances: 80-100 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.mtb-marathon.co.uk
Richmond Cyclo-Sportives: 5 Dale 100, 4 Dale 80 and 3 Dale 50
Where: Richmond, North Yorkshire
HQ: Richmond School
Distances: 50 miles, 80 miles, 100 miles,
Entry: £15
Further info: www.richmondcyclingclub.co.uk
| Saturday May 24-Monday May 26 |
Where: Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire
HQ: Hadpsen House, Castle Cary, Somerset
Distances: Stage 1: 92 miles; stage 2: 93 miles; stage 3: 106 miles; 50-mile charity ride; 25 mile family ride
Entry: 3 stages: £73; 1 stage: £26; charity: £20; family: £15
Further info: www.tourofwessex.com
| Sunday May 25 |
Where: Bala, Gwynedd, North Wales
HQ: Penllyn Leisure Centre, Bala
Distances: 61km, 146km, 200km
Entry: £25
Further info: www.i-team.cc
| Saturday May 31 |
Where: Portree, Skye
HQ: Portree
Distances: 50 miles, 100 miles
Entry fee: £30
Further info: www.bealach-na-ba.co.uk
| Sunday June 1 |
Where: Peak District
HQ: Woodford War
Memorial Community Centre, Bramhall Cheshire
Distances: 72 miles, 100 miles
Entry: £20
Further info: www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk
Chiltern Hundred Challenge
Where: The Chiltern Hills
HQ: Misbourne School, Great Missenden, Bucks
Distances: Gran Fondo: 107m, Medio Fondo: 63m, Corto Fondo: 53m
Entry: £15
Further info: www.chiltern-hundred.org.uk
CTC David Duffield Challenge
Where: Corsham, Wiltshire
Distance: 100km/150km
Entry:£12.50 (CTC members), £15 (non-members)
Further info: www.ctc.org.uk/challengerides
| Sunday June 8 |
Where: Newbury, Berkshire
HQ: Highclere Castle, Highclere Park, Newbury
Distances: 70km, 120km, 200km
Entry: 70km: £19; 120km: £23; 200km: £25
Further info: www.cyclegb.co.uk
Norwich 100/50
Where: City Hall, St Peter's Street, Norwich
HQ: www.bike-events.com
Distances: 50 miles, 100 miles
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
The White Rose Classic
Where: Yorkshire Dales
HQ: Old Otliensians RUFC Club House, Pool Road, Otley, West Yorkshire
Distances: 80km, 133km, 185km
Entry: £20
Further info: www.whiteroseclassic.co.uk
OrchidCycle Essex
Where: Essex
HQ: Lake Meadows, Billericay
Distances: 20, 40 and 75 mile rides plus a 100 mile cyclo-sportive
Entry: 20m, 40m, 75m: £12 (£15 on the day) 100m: £22 (£25 on the day)
Further info:Click here for further info>>
Sunday Sportive Series
Where: The Ridgeway
HQ: Letcomb Regis Village Hall, Wantage
Distances: 65k, 95k, 140k
Entry: £15- £17
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk/sundaysportive
| Saturday June 14 |
Where: Bristol to Exmouth
HQ: Channings Hotel, Clifton, Bristol
Distances: 100 miles
Entry: Free. £1 for route sheet, donations welcome.
Further info: www.exmouth-exodus.co.uk
Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge: UCI Golden Wheel Event
Where: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
HQ: Newcastle Falcons Rugby Ground, Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Distances: 31 miles, 62 miles, 100 miles
Entry: youth: £8; over 16: £18
Further info: www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk
| Sunday June 15 |
Where: East Leicestershire & Rutland
HQ: King Edward VII Sports Centre, Melton Mowbray
Distances: 30km, 100km, 180km
Entry: 30km: £5; 100km: £15; 180km: £20
Further info: www.cicleclassic.co.uk
Pain in the Pennines
Where: Halifax (West Yorkshire)
HQ: Greetland Community Centre, Halifax
Distances: 60 miles, 103 miles
Entry: £15
Further info: www.halifax-imps.org.uk
The Dragon Ride
Where: Welsh Valleys
HQ: Pencoed College, Bridgend, South Wales
Distances: 120km, 180km
Entry: £26
Further info: www.dragonride.co.uk
Cairngorm Mountain 100 and Cairngorm Mountain 50
Where: Cairngorm Mountain, near Aviemore
HQ: Cairngorm Mountain Centre
Distances: 50 miles, 100 miles
Entry: £30
Further info: www.bealach-na-ba.co.uk
| Saturday June 21 |
Where: South Wales
HQ: Bailey Park, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Distances: 40km, 80km, 180km
Entry: 40km: £10; 80km: £20; 180km: £25; discounts for under 16s
Further info: www.fusionsites.co.uk/abergavenny
Solent Coasts Cycling Challenge
Where: Hampshire and The Isle of Wight - circular route with multiple start points
HQ: Lymington Ferry Terminal
Distance: 66 miles
Entry: £11.50 - subsidised ferry tickets at £8.50
Further info: www.solentchallenge.org.uk
| Sunday June 22 |
Where: Cotswolds: Oxfordshire/ Warwickshire/Gloucestershire
HQ: Witney, near Oxford
Distances: 70 miles, 102 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.circuitofthecotswolds.org
Kent Coast and Countryside Bike Ride
Where: Kent
HQ: Ashford Christchurch School, Millbank Road, Ashford, Kent
Distances: 29 miles, 53 miles
Entry: £13.50, £14.50
Further info: www.bike-events.com
CTC Ron Kitching Memorial Challenge
Where: York
Distance: 100km/150km
Entry:£12.50 (CTC members), £15 (non-members)
Further info: www.ctc.org.uk/challengerides
| Saturday June 28 |
Where: Skipton, North Yorkshire
HQ: The Bailey, Skipton
Distances: 50km, 100km
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Sunday June 29 |
Where: North Wales
HQ: Ruthin Leisure Centre, Ruthin
Distances: 69 miles, 140 miles
Entry: £30
Further info: www.davelloydmegachallenge.com
Peaks Challenge
Where: Peak District
HQ: Ashbourne Rec Ground
Distances: 29 miles, 49 miles
Entry: £13.50, £12.50
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Saturday July 5 |
Where: Builth Wells, Wales
HQ: White House Farm,
Distances: 80-100 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.mtb_marathon.co.uk
Tour of Exmoor
Where: Devon
HQ: Porlock Caravan and Camping Park
Distances: 85 miles, 103 miles
Entry: 85 miles: £21; 103 miles: £26
Further info: www.tourofexmoor.com
| Sunday July 6 |
Where: West Midlands
HQ: Solihull Sixth Form College, Widney College, Solihull
Distances: 59 miles, 69 miles
Entry: £12.50, £13.50
Further info: www.bike-events.com
London to Oxford
Where: South
HQ: Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, London
Distances: 57 miles
Entry: £13.50, £12.50
Further info: www.bike-events.com
Three Countries Challenge
Where: Cumbria
HQ: Westmorland County Agricultural Society Show Ground at Crooklands near Kendal, Cumbria
Distances: 63m, 100m, 125m
Entry: 63m- £25, 100m/ 125m- £30, Family Fun route- £5
Further info: www.3countieschallenge.com
Sunday Sportive Series
Where: North Downs into Kent
HQ: TBC
Distances: 65k, 95k, 140k
Entry: £15- £17
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk/sundaysportive
| Saturday July 12 |
Where: Essex
HQ: Little Havens Hospice, Thundersley, Essex
Distances: 60 miles, 35 miles, 18 miles
Entry: £12.50, £11.50
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Sunday July 13 |
Where: North-East
HQ: Albert Square, Manchester
Distances: 60 miles
Entry: £14, £13
Further info: www.bike-events.com
Salisbury Road Club Seventy 70
Where: The New Forest
HQ: Woodgreen Village Hall
Distances: 35km, 70km, 70 miles
Entry: £5 aduts, £3 concessions
Further info:www.salisburyroadclub.org.uk
3rd Lions Solihull/Warwickshire Bikeathon
Where: Warwickshire countryside
HQ: Packwood NT House, Solihull/ Warwickshire border
Distances: 10m, 17m, 28m
Entry: £6
Further info: www.knowleanddorridgelions.com
| Sunday July 20 |
Where: Ribble Valley
HQ: Sawley Village Hall, near Clitheroe
Distances: 90km, 130km
Entry: £15
Further info: www.epicevents.org
Legbreaker Challenge
Where: Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands, with over 3,000m of climbing
HQ: Leek High School from 7.15am, or sign-on at Den Engel Belgian Bar on 1pm-5pm on July 19
Distances: 72km, 130km
Entry: 72km: £20; 130km: £22.50
Further info: www.legbreaker.co.uk
London to Southend
Where: South-East
HQ: Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, London
Distances: 59 miles
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Saturday July 26 |
Where: The Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, South Wales
HQ: Pen-y-dre Farm, Llanvihangel Crucourney, Monmouthshire
Distances: 85 miles, 115 miles
Entry: 85 miles: £21; 115 miles: £26
Further info: www.tourofthe
blackmountains.com
| Sunday July 27 |
Where: Howardian Hills and North York Moors
HQ: St Martins Ampleforth Preparatory School, Gilling Castle, Gilling East, North Yorkshire
Distances: 188km
Entry: £25
Further info: www.ryedalerumble.co.uk
London to Cambridge
Where: South
HQ: Pickett's Lock, off Meridian Way
Distances: 50 miles
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Saturday August 2 |
Where: Selkirk, Wales
HQ: Rugby Club, Selkirk, Wales
Distances: 80 miles, 100 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.mtb-marathon.co.uk
| Sunday August 3 |
Where: Pendle, East Lancashire
HQ: Rolls Royce Sports Ground, Barnoldswick
Distances: 100km, 160km
Entry: £20
Further info: www.pennineevents.co.uk
Ride of the Falling Rain
Where: Isle of Islay, Scotland
HQ: Debbie's Cafe, Bruichladdich, Islay
Distance: 100m (162km)
Entry: Free, donate to the Braveheart Cycling Fund
Further info: www.rideofthefallingrain.net
| Sunday August 10 |
Where: Builth Wells, Powys, Wales including the Staircase and the Bridge
HQ: Sports Centre, Builth Wells
Distances: 100 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.devilride.co.uk
| Sunday August 17 |
Where: Across the Chilterns and Ridgeway
HQ: Checkenden race site, Woodcote, Oxfordshire
Distances: 65k, 95k, 140k
Entry: £15- £17
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk/sundaysportive
| Sunday August 24 |
Where: North Wales
HQ: Bala & Penlynn Sports Pavillion
Distances: 90 miles
Entry: £12.50
Further info: www.merseysidectc.com
| Sunday August 31 |
Where: Brampton, Cumbria
HQ: William Howard School, Brampton
Distances: 105 miles
Entry: £20
Further info: www.thecumberlandchallenge.co.uk
CTC Phil & Friends Challenge
Where: Peak District
Distance: 100km/150km
Entry:£12.50 (CTC members), £15 (non-members)
Further info: www.ctc.org.uk/challengerides
| Saturday September 6 |
Where: Scottish Highlands
HQ: Kinlochewe
Distance: 90 miles
Entry: £30 (Sold Out)
Further info: www.bealach-na-ba.co.uk
| Sunday September 7 |
Where: Cambrian Mountains and Elan Valley, Mid-Wales
HQ:Rhayader Smithfield
Distance: 87 miles
Entry: £17
Further info: www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk
Spud Riley Ride
Where: Peak District
HQ: Woodford Wall Memorial Community Centre
Distance: 50 miles, 100 miles
Entry: £20
Further info: www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk
Manchester 100
Where: North
HQ: Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
Distance: 100 miles or 100km
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
Wessex 100
Where: West Country
HQ: The Guildhall, Market Place, Salisbury
Distance: 100 miles, 50 miles
Entry: £16, £15
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Saturday September 13 |
Where: Penrith, Cumbria
HQ: Lowther Estate, Penrith, Cumbria
Distances: 80-100 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.mtb-marathon.co.uk
| Sunday September 14 |
Where: South Downs
HQ: Petersfield, Hampshire
Distances: 71km, 112km, 155km
Entry: £25
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk
Circuit of Kent
Where: Sevenoaks, Kent
HQ: Godden Green, Sevenoaks
Distances: 80km, 140km
Entry: £30
Further info: www.kentcyclosportive.co.uk
New Forest
Where: South
HQ: Brockenhurst Sixth Form College, Lyndhurst Road
Distances: 18 miles, 28 miles, 48 miles
Entry: £13.50, £12.50
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Sunday September 21 |
Where: Southwick Village, near Portsmouth
HQ: D-Day Memorial Hall
Distances: 50 miles, 80 miles
Entry: £16 (On the day: £18)
Further info: www.southdownschallenge.co.uk
| Saturday September 27 |
Where: Ullapool, Sutherland
HQ: Ullapool
Distances: 130 miles
Entry: £30
Further info: www.bealach-na-ba.co.uk
| Saturday September 27 |
Where: Devon
HQ: River Dart Country Park
Distances: 85 miles, 106 miles,
Entry: 106 miles: £26; 85 miles: £21
Further info: www.tourofdartmoor.com
Oxford to Cambridge
HQ: Broad Street, Oxford
Distances: 89 miles
Entry: £20
Further info: www.bike-events.com
| Sunday October 5 |
Where: Knighton, Powys, Wales
HQ: Community Hall, Knighton
Distance: 90 miles
Entry: £25
Further info: www.autumnepic.co.uk
| Sunday October 12 |
Where: Leeds, West Yorkshire
HQ: Rothwell Country Park, Rothwell, Leeds
Distances: 15km, 50km
Further info: www.wildboarchallenge.ik.com
Sunday Sportive Series
Where: North Downs and hogs back areas.
HQ: Bramley Village Hall, Bramley
Distances: 65k, 95k, 140k
Entry: £15- £17
Further info: www.trailbreak.co.uk/sundaysportive
| Sunday November 2 |
Where: Exmoor, Devon.
HQ: Wimbleball Lake
Distances: 100 miles and 100km
Entry: £27
Further info: www.exmoorbeast.org
Do you want your sportive to feature in our calendar? Email the details to cycling@ipcmedia.com
| SELECTED FOREIGN RIDES |
Classic Alpine sportive that finishes on top of Alpe d'Huez. The 174km La Marmotte starts from Bourg d'Oisans and climbs the Col du Glandon and the fearsome Col du Galibier via the Col du Télégraphe, before the final haul up Alpe d'Huez.
Info: www.sportcommunication.com
La Ventoux, June 6
The Ventoux sportive is over three distances. The 144km Master, 97km Senior and 80km Découverte (open to children over 14) start and finish in Beaumes de Venise, climbing to the summit via Malaucene, while the Grimpe du Ventoux starts in Bedoin, and climbs via the more well-known Chalet Reynard route.
Info: www.sportcommunication.com
Maratona dles Dolomites, June 29
The demanding route through the Italian Dolomites makes the Maratona the most spectacular Gran Fondo on the calendar. The three routes, over 138, 106 and 55 kilometres, ascend some of the most spectacular passes in the Dolomites.
Info: www.maratona.it
Gran Fondo Eroica, October 5
The four routes, over 205, 135, 75 and 38 kilometres, wind through the amazing Chianti countryside near Siena, Tuscany, with half of the routes following the dirt roads that twist through this wine-producing region.
Info: go to www.eroica.it
RELATED LINKS
CW's Dummies' Guide to Cyclo-Sportives
