Sportives

london-red
london-red Posts: 1,266
edited May 2012 in Commuting chat
Now forgive me, because this has probably been done already, but what are everyone's plans for sportives in 2012.

I might be able to escape for a couple of events, and am not sure which to go for...
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Comments

  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    There are so many to choose from: http://www.cyclosport.org/events/Jan-2012/UK.html

    Am planning on some during the early part of the year, but only have two events in the calendar so far: Dunwich Dynamo 30 June / 1st July and etape acte I 8th July.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Gussio wrote:
    There are so many to choose from

    I know, which is why I'm having such a nightmare deciding. Was thinking about the Cyclefit Springtime classic, the Chiltern 100 and then one later in the year...
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    I'm doing my 1st sportive this year Leicester supertour, but I'm tempted by the Midlands Monster as well (I know a lot of the roads involved in both: especially the latter)
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
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    2012 Felt F65X
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  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    London-Red wrote:
    Gussio wrote:
    There are so many to choose from

    I know, which is why I'm having such a nightmare deciding. Was thinking about the Cyclefit Springtime classic, the Chiltern 100 and then one later in the year...

    If you can do one, and you can get abroad for two nights, I'd recommend the Tour of Flanders. It'll knock spots off anything you do in the UK. It's just brilliant. Early Eurostar on Friday, two hour drive to the general start area, back early Sunday morning if you can't watch the pro race.
    FCN 2-4.

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    "Exactly."
  • FoldingJoe
    FoldingJoe Posts: 1,327
    I'm doing the Cornwall Tor and Dartmoor Classic this year.

    First ever sportives and really looking forward to them... I think!! :)
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  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Good stuff. I've only ever done one myself - the pre-Tour sportive in Kent when the route kicked off in London. That was crazy busy though, and pretty straightforward...

    I'm thinking a shortish spring ride, the Chiltern 100 plus one other around September.

    CJ, not sure I'll be able to escape across the channel this year. Next year, maybe.

    If anyone fancies the Chiltern, let me know - I know at least one other doing it.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    The Magnificat in June is a good one. 125 miles.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Only one I've signed up for so far is the Kentish Killer. Not cleared it with the boss yet.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Easier to seek forgiveness than permission.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    I can't drive, so that limits my options to, well...yes.
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  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Hmmm, June is a month of few weekend passes from experience - lots of birthdays etc to think about.

    I've been given the all clear for Chiltern 100 though (27 May). When's the Kentish Killer?
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    edited January 2012
    KK is the beginning of Feb. not sure if it's full yet.

    Also thinking about the Wiggle Ups and Downs if anyone fancies it?
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Asprilla wrote:
    KK is the beginning of Feb. not sure if it's full yet.

    Hmmm, too soon. Far too soon...
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Tour of the Black Mountains is meant to be testing. It's July, I think.

    EDIT: There's the Surrey Rumble in March, too. Organised by the nice people at Twickenham CC. Very well run event.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    That could work. Two close to home sportives in the first half of the year followed by something a bit further afield in the autumn... Time to de-rust the turbo.
  • kevess
    kevess Posts: 186
    I've signed up for the Pearson150 in May, so I need a 100k March/April to get the legs in order!

    Joined the Strava Base Miles Blast to give me something to aim for In January.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    cjcp wrote:
    Easier to seek forgiveness than permission.


    Easier to pull a knife out of the drawer than out your back....
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    Plan to do a couple of the Evans or Wiggle ones, not sure which yet. Doing London Revolution with some guys from work, will be 7 or 8 of us plus a couple of non-work hangers on, and L2P in July if we can get a team together, got 4 interested so far but hoping for 8...

    And then some bright spark from our Edinburgh office suggested a LE or EL but that needs serious organisation...

    Chiltern 100 looks interesting...
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  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    Not forgetting all the audaxes. http://www.aukweb.net/events/. Think sportive at a 1/4 of the price with a more eclectic mix of riders.

    I'm doing the LVIS audax in March the main selling point seems to be the variety and quantity of cakes on offer. http://audax.lvis.org.uk/
  • cyclingprop
    cyclingprop Posts: 2,426
    Must sign up to something... Tempted by London revolution...
    What do you mean you think 64cm is a big frame?
  • rebs
    rebs Posts: 891
    I'm doing the Hell of the ashdown in feb. not looking forward to it but have been strong armed by the club to take part. Would like to do the blenhaim palace sportive again. Wasn't a hard one but last year had great views great whether and basically a great day out!
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    I'd like to do the Surrey Rumble and also possibly this:

    http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/12-196/

    Meant to be doing a 100 with some mates that day around the same area so tempted to just sign up for this instead. I haven't done an audax before though... do they send you a load of co-ordinates and you basically orienteer yourself around the course? Its only a quid so am tempted.
    Dolan Mythos
  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    clarkey cat wrote:
    do they send you a load of co-ordinates and you basically orienteer yourself around the course?

    You'll get a route sheet and map. Seasoned audaxers (those with beards) have developed ways of mounting route sheets on their handlebars (my mate found his tri bars quite useful for this). GPS routes are available these days too.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    I'm doing the Kilo to go Mercia one, can't remember the name of it.
    I might be doing the Dan Fleeman Tour de Nock as it's pretty near to me and only £7.50
    I'll probably end up doing the Evans Cannock Chase one again too.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
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  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    Cheers Craker - would you recommend?

    One thing that concerns me is that they require payment of something called a 'cheque'. I'm not familiar with these things. Can't I paypal them?
    Dolan Mythos
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    No sportives for me this year.
    Seven days cycling in Mallorca instead! :P
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • Blacktemplar
    Blacktemplar Posts: 713
    Scottish Bike Show 100 and Buchaille Mhor Sportives in April

    Etape Caledonia in May

    Trossachs Ton in June

    Lords of the Lochs in September

    A wee lie down after that I think......
    "Get a bicycle. You won't regret it if you live"
    Mark Twain
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Tempted to do flatout in the fens for old times sake.

    Not sure it suits me mind...
    _
  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    clarkey cat wrote:
    Cheers Craker - would you recommend?

    I'm no audax regular - I did two last year; the South Glos 100 in May and the Tasty Cheddar at the start of October. Thoroughly recommend both. I also did the one sportive (Tour Of The Black Mountains). Of the three I would be wanting to do ToBM again .
  • rebs
    rebs Posts: 891
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Tempted to do flatout in the fens for old times sake.

    Not sure it suits me mind...
    I keep wanting to do fens. Anyone ever done it before? Is it well ran?

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