London may not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking about where to book your next sportive, but there are some super events in the capital and surrounding areas - you could even make a long weekend of it! Here's our rundown of seven of the best London cycling events, starting with this weekend's RideLondon sportive.
1. Prudential Ridelondon-Surrey 100 - 30 July 2017
RideLondon returns this weekend with 20,000 cyclists gearing up for what has become an incredibly popular weekend of cycling events.
The RideLondon-Surrey 100 starts at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and takes riders for 100 miles out across Surrey before finishing back at The Mall in London. Though by no means the most challenging ride out there, RideLondon continues to sell out each year and is being dubbed the cycling equivalent of the London Marathon.
Raising money for good causes is a big aim for this event and the charity of the year for 2017 is Bloodwise. If you want to get involved in the 2018 event, keep an eye out for when the new ballot opens in August, as, after receiving 80,000 entries, it will close.
14,000 places of the 20,000 will be given to ballot entries, and the other 6,000 will be from those riding directly for charities.
If you're lucky enough to be riding this weekend - good luck!
2. ICAP L'Etape London by Le Tour de France - 24 September 2017
This sportive is organised by Human Race and is a great way of bringing the Tour de France spirit to London - rumour has it that a past Tour winner will be making an appearance...
With three route options to choose from, ranging from 117 miles with 1,161m of climbing, 91 miles with 933m climbing and 47 miles with 508m of climbing, it allows plenty of chance for riders of all abilities to compete.
The route follows much of the same route the Tour de France took on its visit to London in 2014, and the finishing point is none other than the Lee Valley VeloPark - home to the London 2012 Olympics.
The sportive starts at 7:30am on 24th September 2017, and if you want a ticket, you need to act fast. Groups of 10 or more can access a discount of 25%.
3. Evans Cycles Ride It London Sportive - January 2018
This 73-mile sportive with 924m of climbing is a perfect winter challenge and proved a major success earlier this year, just as it has the previous two years since it was established. With great transport links to the race start just inside London, riders start in Osterley Park but you soon leaves the city behind and venture out through the countryside.
If you want to get involved next year, keep your eyes out for when tickets are released; and for those wanting an easier pre-season ride, there are 54 mile and 40 mile options available.
4. Dulux Trade London Revolution - 12-13 May 2018
As the UK's largest multi-day cycling challenge, the London Revolution is the perfect sportive for those signing up to their first sportive as well as those who are more experienced.
This two-day cycle challenge encompasses 300km of iconic landmarks along with beautiful stretches of the North Downs and Chiltern Hills. If you want to really push yourself, the ULTRA route will conquer all 300km in one day!
Experience skyscrapers, Viking battles, the Olympic cycling route, Eric Clapton's birthplace and stay over at the legendary Ascot racecourse with a festival to keep you entertained.
5. Rapha Nocturne London - June 2018
This one is a sportive with a difference! Being described as a day-night festival of cycling, the Rapha Nocturne takes place in the heart of the city with music, exhibitions and parties around the course.
During the day riders of all ages and abilities will take to the circuit. As the sun starts to set a spectacle of elite races will take place. If you want to enter a race, full details can be found at the Rapha Nocturne website when entries open in 2018.
If you'd prefer to take a back seat, tickets for spectators are free, or £140 for a VIP experience.
6. BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride - 17 June 2018
This annual charity bike ride organised by The British Heart Foundation is a 54 mile romp to the seaside that takes you from the bustling captial, through stunning country lanes to the finish line on the beautiful Brighton sea front.
As one of the UK's oldest charity events this one has an electric atmosphere and support throughout, so even if you haven't done many (or any) sportives the London-Brighton is a must. It's geared towards newbies but experienced cyclists will find their challenge on Ditchling Beacon at the finish - while teams and families (14 years +) are all welcome along for the ride.
7. Dunwich Dynamo - July 2018
Rather than a competitive ride, the Dunwich Dynamo is more of a fun and exciting opportunity for cyclists of all abilities to get together and participate in a 124-mile night-time ride.
It takes place from 8pm Saturday with riders leaving London in loose groups and riding through the night before finishing on Dunwich beach sometime on Sunday morning.
If you're worried about getting lost in the dark then you needn't be; maps are available for £1, but you will find it hard to lose track of the red bike lights of the other 2,000 riders taking part.
Though there is no official point for you to get food, plenty of homeowners now sell food on their front lawns, allowing you chance to stop in the middle of the night and refuel.
0 Comments