What is a cyclosportive?
Cyclosportives (sometimes spelt 'cyclosportif' and often abbreviated as 'sportive' in the UK) are long distance, organised, mass participation cycle rides, originating on the continent and particularly popular in France & Italy.
Cyclosportives are something like cyclings answer to the marathon. Long distance, sometimes epic mass participation challenges like the Fred Whitton and Cheshire Cat, open to all comers and seem to be the event of choice for a new generation of road rider. Sportive Bike offer performance rides that allow you to focus on your own goals, whether that be achieving a personal best time target or simply getting across that finish line! All of Sportive bike events offer a choice of different distances, so you can get involved whatever your level and experience.
Cyclosportives are not a race?
Cyclosportives are not races; rather they are challenge events, with targets set for personal achievement, there isn’t a podium stand with medals and cups for the winner as seen in racing. For many, simply completing the course is a fabulous achievement and a great days riding. While the more experienced sportive ride may aim to achieve one of the target times set by the organisers, working with friends or fellow riders to reach this goal. The events are about enjoying wonderful cycling routes with fellow riders to achieve the challenge. Sportives take place on public roads and bridleways with riders from several hundred to thousands with rules and regulations that match this type of event.
For many riders, this is the whole appeal of cyclosportives; they free you from the competitive pressure, strict rules, regulations and rigid disciplines of pure racing and let you enjoy your riding for your own reasons. And if you are interested in moving into road racing, cyclosportives are a great stepping stone to help you develop your skills.
What do you get for your money in a cyclosportive?
Many different types of cyclosportives operate in this country, from the local club ride to may be a Rotary or Round Table charity ride, or the high profile professional corporate events (for example-Kilo to Go and Epic Events), exactly what you get for your entry fee may vary from event to event as well as how this money is utilised for the Club, Charity or Business.
We are cyclists at Sportivebike and enjoy sportives ourselves, so aim to give you the best quality days riding in beautiful countryside with the best routes, the best course marking, rider support and timing services, right down to the best food to revive you at the feedstops helping you get to the end of the day!
So…………
Sportives have the same popular appeal in cycling as marathon and half marathon events do in running, we are sure you will enjoy riding in Sportive Bike events, which give a choice of distances from as little as 45 miles to over 100 miles. All our routes are on the website and you can just click on the link to book online.
Challenge yourself on one of our Events………………
