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Closed Road Sportives 2015
I like Closed road sportives, there I've said it. I don't mind paying for a closed road, they tend to be larger well organised events. I like to stick just right of the centre line, not blocking anyone but able to do overtakes. I might go a bit left for the climbs. No stopping for lights, just jelly babies. I've had mixed fortunes mechanically, but want to do more. The only issue is the closed type are quite rare. There are plenty of open road events (and I know some of you prefer races, sportives aren't to everyone's tastes or suit your *cough* perceived echelon.) These I have heard of:
New and over subscribed:
Loch Ness
Velothon-wales
done and probably will do again:
Great Manchester Cycle
Ride London 100 (ballot dependent)
Etape Cymru
So I've tried to look for closed road sportives on the tinterweb but it is hard to find any others or a comprehensive list of just the closed ones. Can anyone else suggest more UK closed events I've not heard of/recommendations?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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14 comments
I am doing the Etape Eryri in June (not the monster 226mile version !!) anyone else done that one ? Again open road but presume once you hit the hills it is empty.
So the Etape is confirmed as open roads. Still tempting for its proximity to Manchester. But any other suggestions? Closed road are getting rarer and some are very over subscribed.
The Etape Eryri team run April's Gran Fondo Conwy, which is a bit nearer.
Tattenhall out to Denbighshire & back - 137 km in August for £5.50 - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-452/
Tarporley to the Panorama - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-65/
The Cheshire hills starting from Congleton - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-884/ or just the plains - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-202/
Is Bridgnorth too far? A popular, relaxed event run by some good chaps. 50, 70 & 100 miles: http://www.mamilcycling.co.uk/shropshire-hills-sportive-2015.html
I am also doing that Bridgnorth one so in the space of 3 weeks, doing Eryri, Then 6 Cols in the Alps then Bridgnorth, must be bloody mad, as I hate hills !!!
The Ken Laidlaw isn't closed roads, but you'll be lucky to see half a dozen cars all day, and the start is critical mass for about 5 miles.
Genuine question - what do you get in a closed road sportive, for twice the cost, that you don't get in a standard sportive? If I ride the Borderlands again next year there may be a few junctions, and some cars on the road, but they don't count as a hazard...
Or isit because I'm slow and wide enough to count as a hazard to traffic?
Etape Cymru won't be closed road in 2015.
Run in 2013, they then put a sticky over the event website saying "this event will not be run in 2014" which is still there. Guess it was the first casualty out of that series with Etape Pennines now following suit.
I was amazed in RideLondon how few people used the right hand side of the road. That inbuilt conciousness of "ride/drive on the left" is so strong, everyone just graduated to the left. Which left the right hand side free for our little train to blast down.
"I like to stick just right of the centre line"
I bet you also stay in the middle lane of the motorway when there's nothing in the inside lane.
I choose my position based on my relative speed, left slow, right fast. I don't drive, buffoon*.
*Compulsory internet insult escalation.
Tour o Borders in Peebles, south of Edinburgh.
http://tourotheborders.com
Did it in 2014 and just signed up for 2015.
The Etape Mercia was a one off then?
You really need to learn to eat on the move
Etape Caledonia (Pitlochry, Scotland)
Probably full by now though.
Etape Pennines but that has been cancelled for 2015 (organisers citing lack of interest believe it or not!).