anyone recommend a sportive in summer sth yorks/derbyshire

mark145max

hi there everyone,
I am fairly new to cycling and am looking at doing my first sportive in the summer. I have started training, being an ex-runner I am fairly fit anyway so am working to being bike fit. I need something to focus on though and work towards so :

1. where do you get list's of events?
2. are ther4e any in my area coming up in the summer? I,m local to chesterfield.

Cheers any input would appreciated.

vermooten

I'd normally suggest http://www.cyclosport.co.uk/ which gives a list of sportives but the server seems to be down again.

You might also want to look at Audax UK which put on events similar in many ways to sportives: http://www.audax.uk.net/cal/index.htm

Michuel

What about Phil&Friends Sunday August 31st starting from near Sheffield. From Cycling Weekly?:-

"August 31 2008 - Phil & Friends Challenge - Peak District
Now established as the UK's match for the Etape du Tour, Tour de France commentator, Phil Liggett has joined up the most challenging routes in the Peak District. The route doesn't disappoint with beautiful scenery and challenging terrain including Winnats Pass and Holme Moss. "

On Apr 27th there's Kirklees Mayors Charity starting at Huddersfield which is about 15 miles from Barnsley.////////////////////////////

ColinJ

Pain in the Pennines is well worth a look. It's very hilly so if you like that kind of thing it's good, and if you don't it definitely isn't! Event HQ is about 10 minutes from J24 of the M62 .

I'll be doing it again this year, since I'm one of those rare beasts - a big guy who is crap at climbing but who loves hills :? .

Bronzie

Polkadot Challenge on 1st June is a good one - 100 or 54 mile route - starts in Bramhall, Cheshire:
http://www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk/

azzerb

Bronzie wrote:

Polkadot Challenge on 1st June is a good one - 100 or 54 mile route - starts in Bramhall, Cheshire:
http://www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk/

That one is full (I think) though the same people on the same site do one in September. I'm doing Polka Dot this June, and kinda nervous. I was going to enter Spud Riley last year, but wasn't up to it.

Tom Butcher

I like Phil and Friends but it's not like some modern sportives -they don't publish finishing times, they don't lay on food on the route (there is an unofficial stop after Mam Tor where you can fill your bottles from a tap and buy some food, and it's not really signposted. Don't let that put you off doing it but it's best to know the route or stay in a group.

velocitizen

Phil and freinds for me too.
The Crich tramway Audax on May 31st is tempting me also. http://www.audax.uk.net

Tom Butcher

That Crich audax is a tough route - from memory parts of it in the middle not that easy to navigate - if it hasn't changed I recommend missing out the minor road near Tideswell, everyone else did - and lots avoid Hinderstich Lane at the end too.