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9 fantastic cycling festivals and sportives coming up in August and September

The RideCatcher has found 9 cycling events that are taking place up and down the country in August and September

Summer ends at some point in mid September, right? You know, when it starts raining, doesn't stop for a week, and then it fails to warm up. Don't worry, it'll warm up on the other side of this bout of drizzle, but we're not sure that'll be the case in about a month's time.

But, don't be put off, a month is a long time when you've got a selection of cycling events, festivals, and sportives like the collection we've got for you in this week's edition of the road.cc RideCatcher.

If you're up in Scotland, get yourself over to the Isle of Bute for their annual Festival of Cycling. If you're right down the other end of the country, why not roll on down to Devon to enjoy the Moor 2 Sea sportive.

At plenty of locations in between we've got something for cyclists of all abilities in this week's RideCatcher.

Read on and start planning.

 

Saturday August 22

Ipswich Cycling Weekend - Crafted Classique sportive

Neptune Marina Ipswich, University Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 0F

The beautiful harbour front in Ipswich hosts a number of waterfront restaurants, events, museums and also the annual Ipswich Cycling weekend.

With things on offer for cyclists of all abilities, including a closed-road Sky Ride and three Crafted Classique sportives covering 55km, 100km and 160km over stunning Suffolk countryside, this one shouldn't be missed if you're in the area.

 

Saturday August 22

Sportive D' Scarborough

Olivers Mount (Top), Scarborough, YO11 2YW

We've talked about the Scarborough cycling festival in previous editions of the RideCatcher, and it's finally upon us.

A weekend full of cycling fun topped off by Sportive D'Scarborough which hosts a 48km and a 96km ride through some stunning North Yorkshire landscapes.

You'll be able to sign up on the day for £20, but online entry costs £5 less and can be done via the British Cycling website, here.

 

Sunday August 30

Fakenham 50

Fakenham Community Centre, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 9DY

Part of the town's annual Fakenham Active week, the Fakenham 50 is aiming to get as many of the Norfolk population riding as possible.

There are a whopping 5 routes available between 22km and 120km, so whatever your ability you'll be more than welcome to join in. 

You don't have to be a bike rider to join in with the fun. The ride starts and finishes at Fakenham Community Centre where a whole host of family fun will be put on including face paints, cake sales, a barbecue, live music, post-ride massages, and more.

You can sign up via British Cycling.

 

 

Saturday September 5

Moor 2 Sea Sportive

Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7XS

Now in its fourth year, and having sold out at every time of asking, the imaginatively named Moor 2 Sea sportive certainly lives up to its billing.

Riding over beautiful moor land, through Haldon Forest, down the South Devon Coast, and on to the Teign Estuary, there really is plenty to see over three challenging routes.

Meeting at Exeter Racecourse, you'll have already paid your entry fee of £32 or £37 depending on whether you're riding the easier Inspire route, the somewhat more difficult Challenge or Extreme routes.

If you leave sign up to the day of the event, you'll be paying £40.

 

Saturday September 5 - 6

Bradford on Avon cycling festival

Westbury Gardens, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1DE

The beautiful town of Bradford on Avon, just a stone's throw from road.cc Towers in Bath, and a staple on many of our #mycyclingweekend rides, is hosting its very own cycling festival.

Based in the town centre gardens, overlooking the famous and historic bridge, the festival - which won the Sunday Times' award for best town in the country - will bring a bicycling buzz to the town.

A 40km sportive and a hill challenge up many of the short but punishing hills that lend themselves to the town's charm, will be the main events of the day. They will be joined however by an exhibition up at the Moulton Bike factory - another of the town's claims to fame - a children's bike skills session, all sorts of fayre activities, and demo from the town's bike shop, TT Cycles.

 

Sunday September 6

BW Bristol Belter

Fry Club & Conference Centre, Somerdale Road, Keynsham BS31 2AU

Celebrate the end of the summer in style in the South West with the Bristol Belter. 

Three great courses feature as entrants will have the opportunity to tour some of the area's best and most famous cycling roads.

The Mini, Standard, and Classic ride options cover 70km, 100km, and 160km of fantastic Mendip countryside

If you're not signing up for the Mini Belter, the entrance price will be £29, while the short course will only set you back £24.

That price includes many of the amenities you'll have become accustomed to on the UK sportive circuit including: electronic timing, feed stations on course, a finishing present, free completion cirtification, and use of all the on-site facilities at the Fry Club in Keynsham.

 

Sunday September 6

Tour Of The Cornfields

Wimpole Estate, Arington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW

Cyclocross season is almost upon us, and so in the spirit of the transitional month that is September, the Tour of the Cornfields is offering you the choice of a 100km road sportive or a 50km mixed surface ride.

So, dust off those wide tyres, and get rolling over some Cambridgeshire bridleways.

The entry fee will be £23, of which all profits go to support the youth development program at the Eastern Cyclo-cross leagues.

Entry is via British Cycling.

 

Saturday September 19 - 20

The Isle of Bute Cycling Festival

Rothesay, Isle Of Bute, Scotland, PA20 0QG

Up in Scotland, on the Isle of Bute, just west of Glasgow, lies one of the oldest cycling events in the UK.

Known as the September Weekender, the races and events started before World War Two, and after a brief war-induced hiatus, has been going ever since.

Having seen its heyday in the 50s, the event now goes under the moniker 'The Isle of Bute Cycling Festival' but it still offers plenty for cyclists of all abilities to get involved in.

The timed Serpentine Hill climb challenge - for the young and old - a cyclo cross race, a 10-mile time trial, and a number of other road races, plus countless cycling themed activities, are all set to make this small Scottish island a cycling haven for a weekend in September.

 

 

Sunday September 20

Ludlow Cycling Festival

Ludlow Rugby Football Club, Ludlow SY8 1EE

Finally, the beautiful Shropshire town of Ludlow is looking to rise to the occasion of its second ever festival of cycling.

Supporting Macmillan Cancer Support the event on the weekend of September 20 is set to be a fun packed day for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

A big 106km sportive over the tough South Shropshire hills kicks the weekend off. That event is followed by with a somewhat more gentle 30km led Orchard Ride takes place later on with entertainment and activities following that as the family-friendly festivities go on into the evening.

If you fancy taking part in the led ride, or the sportive, head on over to the British Cycling website.

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1 comments

Avatar
Jacobi | 9 years ago
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There's also this on 6 September: Glasgow to Edinburgh - 175 kilometers

http://pedalforscotland.org/rides/big-belter/

And this is also on 6 September: Glasgow to Edinburgh - 80 kilometers

http://pedalforscotland.org/rides/classic-challenge/

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