Sometimes, a whole morning on the saddle just isn’t enough for some of us. No, we need to go further than we’ve ever been before: we need sportives.

Sportives are usually challenging and physically demanding. It’s likely you’ll need to train up to the big event, so it’s important you plan ahead. To find events here in the UK or abroad, please visit sportive.com (it’s updated each month).

Gran Fondos are very popular and there are three in the UK that can be ridden as a way of qualifying for the UCI World Championships.

For more information on how a beginners guide and how to take part in a Sportive and where you can find them including extreme distance rides, check out the websites below: –

• Beginners Guide to Sportives
• British Cycling, Cyclosport
• Bike Events.

And don’t forget it’s good to support your local rides too, also make sure you check out the following: –

• Performance Cycles’ mini sportives – November to March
• Cotswold Spring Classic – April
• White Horse Sportive – April
• IOW Randonnee – May 
• Dartmoor Classic – June
• The Bath Beast – July
• Far Cycles – Le Tour – July 
• Dragon Ride – June 
• Bike Bath September
• Cotswold Autumn Classic – October

Other Events

Ramsbury Brewery Triple B

Isle of Wight

Following the last few years very successful trips to the IOW for the Randonnee, a further trip is most likely to be planned in 2025.

Details you need to know are: –

• The event is in first Bank Holiday in May 2025, registration is (via the website), which is opened nearer the time.
• The base in 2024 was the Premier Inn Lymington (although you can book wherever you wish), but if you plan to make a weekend of it better get booking (Sat and Sunday nights). Other expense will be the foot ferry and food.
• There will be different groups of riders going at different speeds.
• Ferry Tickets, can be found on this link –Wight Link