Cycling
10 of the best UK cycling sportives to enter this year
Set a personal challenge by entering one (or more!) of these sportives taking place in the UK
There are countless events and races available to budding amateur road cyclists who want to push themselves to the limit, so it can often be hard to know where to look when searching for the best cycling sportives in the UK.
The non-competitive, mass participation cycling event calendar is jam-packed with rides every weekend of the season, and there's likely to be a handful of rides on your doorstep.
Not all are made (or in this case, planned) equally though, and there are some gems out there that are well worth your attention. Here are the ones that should be on your radar.
1. The Velo29 Rutland CiCLE Tour Sportive
When: TBC April 2024
Distance: 65.1km/126.9km/162.4km
This sportive takes place on the same weekend as the Rutland Cicle Classic, which is perhaps one of the most iconic pro road races on the UK calendar, and something of a British 'Classic' (in the prestigious, one-day race sense). This means you can ride some of the same roads as the race on Saturday, then watch the pros do it the following day.
There are three routes to choose from at 65km, 127km and 162km, with the latter featuring almost 1,800m of climbing around the picturesque lanes of Rutland, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
2. Tour of the Peak
Whichever route you opt for, you can expect a tough day in the saddle
© Velo 29
When: May 19 2024
Where: Bakewell Showground, Bakewell, Derbyshire
Distance: 99.4km/185.4km
For an epic trip around the Peak District, look no further than this leg-sapping sportive. Based on the route of the historic Tour of the Peak road race, you'll take in some bucket-list climbs, including the iconic Winnats Pass and Holme Moss.
From the HQ in Bakewell, two courses are available – one of 99km and one at a lactic acid-inducing 185km. The scenery is stunning all the way around the Dales, so make sure you look up and take it all in and don’t just stare at your bike computer all day.
It’s a tough but rewarding day in the saddle, and you’ll be more than ready for a few local Bakewell Tarts when you return to the finish line.
3. Etape Caledonia
Dare you take on the tricky climb of Mount Schiehallion?
© Limelight
When: May 21 2024
Distance: 64km/136km
Way up north in the Scottish Highlands, Etape Caledonia takes riders through the incredibly picturesque scenery the area is famed for.
If you’re up for a big day out, the 136km route should serve up a tasty challenge with the tricky climb of Mount Schiehallion thrown in to test the legs. If you’re after something more relaxed though, the 64km route skips the climb but doesn’t miss out on the fantastic views.
And, just like the best sportives on this list, Etape Caledonia takes place on closed roads. Although general entry is now sold out, charity spots are still available.
4. Tour of Wessex
See yourself as a serious cyclist? The inaugural 24-hour option is for you
© Earth Sports
If one day of riding isn’t enough, then perhaps the Tour of Wessex should be on your sportive hit list for this year.
Taking place around the stunning roads of Somerset in May, each day features a standard and medium option that, when added together, combine to total 535km and 355km respectively.
The standard route certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted, but riding 535km over three days would be an achievement for any cyclist to be proud of.
And, if all that sounds a bit too, well, easy, this year sees the inaugural running of a 24-hour Tour of Wessex, which pits competitors against the whole 535km route in a single day.
5. The Struggle Dales
Expect climbs like this throughout
© The Struggle
The Struggle does what it says on the tin. Based in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the ride prides itself on its ferocity, packing in seven fearsome climbs through its 174km route. Be warned, these climbs are some of the toughest around, with many including sections of 20% gradient.
Fortunately, it’s not all pain and suffering, with the dry-stone walls and epic moors of Yorkshire to look at, and top-class provisions at the feed stations, including locally-made pork pies.
6. The Fred Whitton Challenge
A sportive with a fearsome reputation, the Fred Whitton Challenge is designed to test even the fittest of riders, with almost 3,000m of elevation gain over 182km. What those stats don’t show is that you hit the toughest climb of Hardknott Pass with close to 160km already in your legs. At this point, there’s no shame in walking up the stretch that hits 33% gradient.
Most of the spots for this year have been taken by those whose 2020 places were rolled over, but there will be a handful of rides available for those who are quickest off the mark. Check the website on January to be in with a shot at taking on this iconic event.