Best 2011 Sportive in the North-East?

dmch2

I want to do a sportive or two next year and need to get it booked with the wife sooner rather than later (she works shifts that get book up months in advance). So can anybody recommend me a few good 100mile sportives in the North-East?

By good I presume I mean:
- a few food stops so I can get off and grab something to eat
- friendly
- lots of people so I can find a group to cycle with at my pace
- No massive cliffs to climb. I might make it up but if there's another 50 miles to I may be in trouble
- Nice roads with stuff to look at
- No blokes in see-through lycra (to borrow from another topic!)

What else is important?

hugo15

I would suggest the Northern Rock Cyclone. Starts north of Newcastle and goes up into Northumberland. There is just over 2000 metres of climbing with nothing too hard. This would bit your requriements quite well. I've done it for the last 2 years and enjoyed it both times. Usually it runs at the beginning of June. Only downside was that there isn't enough parking at the start so you either need to get tehre ealy or park a mile or so down the road.

Another one to consider is the Richmond Sportives. Very well organised by Richmond Cycling Club. The 100 mile route is tough (3000 metres of climbing including Park Rash and Fleet Moss). They also do an 80 mile option that misses out Fleet Moss and Park Rash and a 50 mile option. I've done the 50 once and the 80 three times. Aiming for the 100 in 2011.

stevo1602

Another vote for the Richmond Sportive, the 5 Dales is the 100 miler, I think it is held in May.
I did it this year...coming back up North to visit the folks at the same time, I did loads of the "Big" Sportives this year...down South (The Dragon etc) and The Richmond 5 Dale was by far the best. Excellent organisation, excellent course, great feedstops, good standard of riders to ride with and all for £10 I think...can't be beat it.

dmch2

Thanks both, will look out for the 2011 dates as they don't seem to be announced yet:

http://www.richmondcyclingclub.co.uk/
http://www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk/CycloneChallenge.asp

Royal Dragoon

There's also the Arthur Metcalfe Memorial Ride not far from York.

One of our riders did it on Sunday, here's his report:

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/arthur-metcalfe-ride-t9786.html


Plus there is the Columba Chemo Classic coming up soon:

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/columba-chemo-classic-t9256.html


Or what about the Ryedale Rumble:

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/ryedale-rumble-2010-t8978.html

durhamwasp

I havent done it, but the "Hell of the North" sportive out of Darlington gets a decent review and is very cheap.

dmch2

I think it's too late for this year (I only got the road bike a month ago after using a hybrid for a couple of months) but keep the suggestions coming. If I have fun doing some in the spring I may be able to bribe my Wife with a few nice evenings out and do some this time next year as well

dmch2

I should add that with the new bike and its proper roadie saddle my backside isn't quite up to 100 miles yet even if my legs are! 40 miles tomorrow will be the longest ride yet on it.

50+ was fine on the hybrid's saddle and I average a 3 mph faster so the legs will done 65 on the road bike no problem.