Multi-Day Sportives
AC20030_1
Posts: 109
Does anyone know of any good multi day sportives either in the uk or possibly in europe? Wanting to arrange something for next year but not sure where to start. Any pointers would be great. Thanks.
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Check out www.alpcycles.com. They are partners for three French sportives. I did 2 days of the alps open tour -- and it is serious stuff. The second day was pretty much this year's stage 1 etape. One less climb -- but keep in mind we had done 60 miles and 9000+ feet, including roseland and three other big climbs, the prior day.0
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In the UK there's the Tour of Wessex - 330 miles out of Somerton over the late May bank holiday weekend. I've ridden this a few times now - generally well organised and three cracking routes. This year I think there were about 500-600 riders registered and about 350 finishers - lots of extra riders around on the first day, and a fair few people who miss out either the second or the third day. Not a cheap weekend at £90 for 3 days now, but comparable to other events I guess.
The same guys (Pendragon Sports) organise a couple of sportives in Abergavenny in July - Tour of the Black Mountains and Iron Mountain. Not 'officially' a 2 day event, but since they start and finish in the same place on consecutive days, they've started to tie them up. I didn't get to ride this last year, but looking forward to the challenge for the first time this year.
I've done the odd DIY multi-day event by entering two rides on consecutive days (Easter weekend was good for that this year). It's not the same as there's not the same camaraderie of knowing all the people you're riding with are going to be doing the same slog tomorrow, but it's good practice all the same and a completely different kind of challenge.
Quite a few mates are combining the Etape and Marmotte this year as they're on consecutive days and just down the road from each other.
When I was looking earlier in the year I came across:
- Hotchillee (http://hotchillee.com/) organise a couple of multi-day events - London to Paris (3 days) and The Alpine Challenge (4 days). From what I hear these are super well organised, and the Alpine Challenge was covered on Eurosport last year for that extra bit of Pro fanfare. Naturally the price reflects this :-)
- The Alpes Open Tour (http://www.alpesopentour.com) is 5 stages covering 500-550km. Similar price to the Hotchillee events and they have a few pro riders along.
- The Haute Route (http://www.hauteroute.org/) is 7 stages in the Alpes, from Geneva to Nice. About the same price as the Alpes Open Tour, but seems better value in that there's more riding, and they include a time trial stage. All 3 of these include kit and bike transfers from stage to stage as well as accommodation/support/etc.
- On my list for next year is the Giro Di Sardegna (http://www.girosardegna.it/). 7 days in Sardinia, with a variety of routes available on each day. Also includes team and individual time trials. About half the price of the Alpine events too (~500 EUR this year, including accommodation) and a different route each year. Main problem is getting there. Start/finish mostly in the same place, so easy to take the family along if that's your thing.
- Also Tour of Cyprus (http://www.tourofcyprus.com/) - 3 days and also looks like great value but haven't been able to find out much else.0 -
As above, Tour of Wessex by Pendragon Sports - last b/hol weekend in May, and 3 days of >100 miles across the S West, based out of Somerton nr Taunton. Well worth doing - pretty tough though!Your Past is Not Your Potential...0
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Multi-day sportive =Audax.
There is a 1000km Mille Alba just about to start.
Next year is the London Edinburgh London.
There are loads of 600km rides. You can happily extend any audax event by riding to it. You could start in london, ride to Scotland do the Mille Alba and then ride home again. I am not sure if that is a multi day sportive, an addax or cycle touring!
There is on of the addax guys presently doing 3 1000k rides over 3 weeks. He is 1 down and 2 to go at the moment.0 -
Done 4 of these.. a hidden gem of an event if the weather's good (wasn't in 2008) and the start/finishes are near the hotel. Officially it's a race but most end up riding it as a gran/medio fondo. Good training camp, you live cycling for a week: wake up, eat, race, eat, rest (by the pool/on the beach), eat, sleep.andy_nD wrote:- On my list for next year is the Giro Di Sardegna (http://www.girosardegna.it/). 7 days in Sardinia, with a variety of routes available on each day. Also includes team and individual time trials. About half the price of the Alpine events too (~500 EUR this year, including accommodation) and a different route each year. Main problem is getting there. Start/finish mostly in the same place, so easy to take the family along if that's your thing.
Then it's back home to reality. :?0 -
I'm in the haute route this year but unlikely next year as it's a lot of cash (luckily I live close by and have the holiday time no problem); very interested in the Tour de L'Ain - through the French Jura. Beautiful cycling country; overlooked and a wonderful riding destination.
Have a look at http://www.tourdelain.com/le-tour-de-la ... tation/160
quite tempting.0 -
Here's an interesting Italian sportive that has a climbing time trial on Friday followed by a granfondo on the Sunday – with a summit finish, no less.
http://www.laleggendariacharlygaul.it/p ... .html?&L=10 -
ACCOMMODATION OFFERED FOR TOUR OF WESSEX DUE TO CANCELLATION - If anyone doing Tour of Wessex 2014 is still scrabbling around for accommodation, I have a nice hotel room booked and paid for (Premier Inn Glastonbury - only 20 mins from Somerton by car), over Friday, Saturday and Sunday eve, which I need to get rid of. Unfortunately, I've picked up an injury which looks likely to end my season, so I've had to cancelled my entry. Contact David Morris 07979 5304240
