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 which in 2023 are in Glasgow.

For more sportives and extreme distance rides, check out the British Cycling, Cyclosport and Bike Events. And don’t forget it’s good to support your local rides, too. Make sure you check out:

• Performance Cycles’ mini sportives – November to March
• Cotswold Spring Classic – April
• White Horse Sportive – April
• Tour of Cambridgeshire – June
• Dragon Ride – June
• Cotswold Autumn Classic – October