We all love an epic sportive, don't we; but what do you do the next day? One minute you're scaling the heights of Huez, Ventoux or, err, Box Hill, the next you're back at work, stretching aching legs under your desk and trying not to throw tea over your face when you forget it's a mug not a bidon.
It's a condition I call post-sportive hangover, or PSH.
But if you suffer from PSH, help is at hand from The Two Ton Tour, a new sportive coming this July. Its solution? Ride another sportive the day after your first sportive!
The Two Ton Tour is a sportive double header challenging cyclists to ride 100 miles from Kingsland, Herefordshire over the Cambrian mountains to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast - and then back again the next day.
That's back-to-back centuries, promising what the organisers call a "Proper Cycling Weekend"... and at 322km with over 6,000 metres of climbing, we're inclined to agree.
The ride takes place on the weekend of 15th-16th July. Event HQ is at Luctonians Rugby Club where there'll be plenty of parking and the chance to drop off your overnight bag for transfer to Aberystwyth. On arrival riders will be shown to their university accommodation, be treated to a slap up dinner and - we're guessing - prepare for the return leg by sampling Aberystwyth's lively nightlife.
The return leg on the Sunday takes a different route to keep things interesting, and both days look to offer some stunning scenery away from the beaten track. Check out this short film preview of the route for a taste of what's in store: https://vimeo.com/214805016.
The Two Ton Tour is organised by ex MTB racer turned road rider Ed Moseley and Keith Evans. We asked them what riders can expect from the first edition.
"The ride is going to be a significant challenge," says Ed, "especially for those used to just single day rides. There's no shorter option, and that's deliberate as we don't want people to underestimate it.
"Having said that it's no audax, our riders will get a nice bed to sleep in rather than a bus shelter!
"The roads are mostly minor and testing and there's a nasty sting in the tail of day 1, a cheeky 25%er from Borth to Aber. With all day to do it, the prospect of a good meal and good company at the end, and with a bit of training under their belts I'm sure most will be fine."
If that sounds daunting, don't be put off. As a reformed pro DH racer, Ed has made sure to include a few descents along the way to get the adrenaline pumping.
"The highlights I hope will include the mountain road from Dylife, followed by the 1,800 ft descent to Machynlleth.
"If it's clear there's a great view and the road snakes around brilliantly. The road from Tregaron back East is pretty special and includes a descent of the Devil's Staircase and then down the Irfon valley, which is well regarded as some of the best scenery this country has to offer.
"Other than that, I just want people to go away really satisfied having spent two great days on their bike."
Entry to the Two Ton Tour is now open priced £119, which includes two days' riding, overnight accommodation and meals.
The Two Ton Tour may not cure PSH, but it sounds like a great weekend's cycling - and Sportive.com will be there to tackle the first edition. For more info and to join us there, visit www.twotontour.com.
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