Early and Late Sportive to aim for (somewhere up North)

fred22

I'm hoping to move beyond just riding around to training with a bit more focus, having goals, and a training plan etc.

I wonder if anyone can recommend an early season sportive to gauge how I'm doing and a peak or late season sportive to use as a seasons goal, in the North, as these would be good to build some goals around.

I'm 42 and never done a sportive so it would be nice to do ones that gave results on a age group basis so I could say aim to finish in the top half of my age group/veterans. It'd also be nice for it to be professional and well organised too. And above all for them to be good, enjoyable etc

Royal Dragoon

Late one:

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


Mid season:

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/ryedale-rumble-t6825.html


Early one:

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/the-richmond-80-a ... t7930.html

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/richmond-sportive ... t6309.html

andy_wrx

How far North is what you're calling The North ?

Polka Dot/Spud Riley and Cumberland Challenge, I'd recommend.

andy_wrx

How far North is what you're calling The North ?

Polka Dot/Spud Riley and Cumberland Challenge, I'd recommend.

fred22

Thanks for the tips. I should have said i'm in stockport

a_n_t

http://www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk/

jgsi

You need to start getting the weekly comic.... I've noticed as I flick thru it at Tescacoes it has become "sportives - the only bit of cycling thats important" as of late.
That said it is useful for those who enjoy paying large sums of money to ride.