Cyclosportives in France this summer

The French cyclosportive season has well and truly started, and some of the forum members may well be considering adding a french sportive to their 2016 holiday plans.

Here is a link that lists the majority of the more major sportives:

http://www.velo-cyclosport.com/agenda/difficultes-cyclosportives2016.html

Once on the opening page if you click the denivele option, the listing will change to the meterage of climb for those looking for the mountains.

Having just read on another cycling forum, many incorrect postings about the entry requirements for a sportive? I thought I'd post a few facts on exactly how easy it is to enter a sportive with the correct documentaion.

1st, you do not have to hold any British or French cycling licence - that is a myth.

You only need one document and that is a medical certificate, issued by your UK doctor, to say that they have examined you and that you are fit of which there are 2 categories:

for the randonee (non timed) events the certificate must mention 'fit to practice cycling', and for the timed events 'fit to practice cycling in competition'.

Almost all events can be entered online at a typical cost of 30-33 euros which will inlude a meal afterwards and normally some sort of gift, bottle gloves or similar. A scan of the medical certificate is normally submitted at point of on-line application or by e mail.

A few sportives have their own web inscription page, but the majority can be entered via one of the following sites.

http://www.ats-sport.com/

http://www.velo101.com/cyclosport      (selecting calendrier)

Much as I loved cycling in the UK, the french sportives are different, for the larger ones with Police motorcades, closed roads, bands, TDF style finish, you can be Chris Froome or Bradley for the day, all for 30ish euro.

Any questions on this, post or e mail me, and I will reply.

FE