Sportives

Sportives, or cyclosportives, are non-competitive challenge rides that should be completed within a certain time limit.  They can be as short as 50km, or up to 200km in length.  Public roads are used, but usually the courses are designed to be relatively traffic-free.  Many are quite hilly - some would say that some are masochistic - and may follow routes over classic and well-known hills, such as Hardknott or the Cat-and-Fiddle.

In this country, you normally start when you like within a time window at the start of the day, but some sportives, and almost all sportives in Europe, have a mass start.  You then cover the course at your own pace.  Depending on the event, and the number of people entering, you might ride solo, but it is also common to ride in small groups of friends or temporary "allies".

Although sportives are not races, most try to get around in the shortest possible time.  You have an entry number, you will be timed, the results are published, and medals (gold, silver or bronze) will be awarded depending on your finishing time.

Sportives will usually also provide feeding stations at regular intervals around the course, which will offer water, sports drink and food.  Some will also offer showers, a massage, tea and/or food after the ride.

There is no governing body for sportives, they are independently organised.  But the best place to start for more information is the Cyclosport website.

Local Sportives in 2010

All events are Sunday unless stated.

7th March. Mad March Hare Sportive - Bradley Green, North Worcestershire

20th March (Saturday). Epic Cycles Spring Challenge - Bromyard, Herefordshire

25th April. White Horse Challenge - Shrivenham, nr Swindon, Wiltshire

2nd May. Forest of Dean Spring Classic - Monmouth

29th-31st May (Saturday-Monday). Tour of Wessex - Somerton, Somerset
Three day event, with circuits around the Mendips, South Coast and Exmoor

6th June. Dragon Ride - Pencoed, near Bridgend

27th June. Dartmoor Classic - Newton Abbot, Devon

3rd July (Saturday). Tour of Exmoor - Porlock, Devon

4th July. Wyre Forest Stinger - Stourport, Worcestershire

11th July. Devil Ride - Buith Wells, Powys

24th July (Saturday). Tour of the Black Mountains - Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

8th August. Evans Ride-It - Kingswood, Gloucestershire

12th September. Trans Cambrian Cyclo Sportive - Rhayader, Powys

12th September. Ride the Route - Worcester

19th September. Cheddar Cyclosportive - Cheddar, Somerset

25th September (Saturday). Tour of Dartmoor - Ashburton, Devon

3rd October. Autumn Epic - Knighton, Powys

31st October. Exmoor Beast - Brompton Regis, Somerset

Other Sportives in 2010

3rd July (Saturday).  La Marmotte - Bourg D'Oisons.
The French classic. 5000m of climbing, including the classic climbs of the Glandon, Telegraphe, Galibier and l'Alpe d'Huez.

18th July (Sunday).  L'Etape du Tour
A monster day in the Pyrenees this year, taking in climbs of the Marie Blanque, Soulour and Tourmalet.