[Organon]

With Ride London off for a second year, I had my eye on the Gran Fondo Isle of Man and even booked a week holiday in August to see if I could have a holiday on the island (set my aims a bit lower after last year, no Morocco or Alps for me this year either.) Well a few weeks ago their website disappeared despite the rapid increase in vaccination. 

I’d like try to do one big event this year after we finally get out of lockdown. Which Sportives are you hoping to ride this summer?

Topic

[PRSboy]

I’m not normally one for

I’m not normally one for sportives but I did the last iteration of the Cardiff Velothon, and it was absolutely brilliant. Closed roads are an absolute joy to ride on, Great cameraderie en route, and friendly locals who made the best of it and were very supportive despite the bad press in the run-up. 
 
Shame it stopped. 

[AlsoSomniloquism]

I had already done it a

I had already done it a couple of years ago (non brexit). Had a lady shouting at me when I cycled to the event on the saturday for registration where she decided it was my fault her taxi couldn’t drop her off at her front door (drunk). 

Then one road sign about “We didn’t want our road closed” outside one countryside residence. As this was the same road a load of oil had been dumped on one tight corner (judging by the sand) I could probably put two and two together. The wind wasn’t great but I was expecting it and the first feed station on an abandoned airfield was poorly stocked for an event that has run multiple years by then.

However there are not many centuary closed roads left and might get the mrs on the 50km with her ebike which they are allowing. 

[IanEdward]

Oban Sportive entered for mid

Oban Sportive entered for mid-May but not optimistic. The organisers have been very open about their September contingency plan. 

Saturday is just an afternoon hill climb event up a closed road to the Cruachan reservoir, but to get my money’s worth out of the weekend away I’ll probably do a wee ride in the morning around the Cowal Peninsula.

Next day is the Sportive proper, basically a glorified loop of Loch Awe featuring some beuatiful roads and punchy wee climbs although the surfaces are pretty poor in places.

I’d much rather not be surrounded by cyclists whom I don’t know the capabilities of… …and plan cafe stops in beautiful country villages rather than get handfuls of sugary gels and cakes from a gazebo… …and it doesn’t cost an entry fee to get said gels and have some luminous yellow arrows to follow, and some tatty ‘medal’ that will just sit in a drawer reminding me that I did it.

each to their own

Indeed, some of us actually enjoy the company of other cyclists and get a kick from riding with hundreds of other people on the same road, not having to carry loads of extra food and water because somebody is thoughtfully laying it on for you every 30-40km, and also having some sort of after-party to return to. I even quite like the free Oban Sportive buff and bottle I got last year 

[zeeridesbikes]

I’ll be doing the same. The

I’ll be doing the same. The thought of driving somewhere to explore some new routes seems like an achievable dream right now. 

[Judge dreadful]

I’m just looking forward to

I’m just looking forward to being able to do longer rides and / or tours again. I’ve only ever bothered with a very few closed road sportives in the past, and with the PRLS having been permanently canned, that doesn’t leave many options on that front. Given the amount of people who have seemingly increasingly not been taking a jot of notice about the lockdown laws / regs where I am, in the last few days / weeks,  I fully expect another big spike in numbers at about the middle of May, as far too many people don’t seem to understand how the vaccines work, and against which versions / variants, and that ( in my opinion ) will risk derailing any planned ‘return to normal’ in June. So for the time being, I’ll just stick to making mileage by doing circuits of about 10 miles, around my local area, as I think planning anything concrete this year will be a wasted effort.

[wycombewheeler]

Pilot Pete wrote:

None. I just plan routes and ride them, be it alone or with mates. Hundreds from home, some ‘away days’ where we load up the van and drive 50-100 miles away to ride different routes.

I’d much rather not be surrounded by cyclists whom I don’t know the capabilities of, especially going up/ down iconic climbs/ descents and plan cafe stops in beautiful country villages rather than get handfuls of sugary gels and cakes from a gazebo.

Oh, and it doesn’t cost an entry fee to get said gels and have some luminous yellow arrows to follow, and some tatty ‘medal’ that will just sit in a drawer reminding me that I did it.

But each to their own.

and for the price of a sportive entry you can probably get a very nice pub lunch AND afternoon tea in a cafe

[Organon]

I did ToC once in 2016 in the

I did ToC once in 2016 in the run up to the Brexit Ref. Signs by the road side, very depressing. Otherwise very flat and windy. The only incentive is the closed roads.

[AlsoSomniloquism]

I’ve got delayed Etape Loch

I’ve got delayed Etape Loch Ness and Tour of Cambrideshire some time this year. And might do the local ones near me (Mad March Hare whenever they are redoing it). Not much else though. 

[Tom_77]

Planning on doing Southampton

Planning on doing Southampton – https://www.sporterium.co.uk/

 

[Oldfatgit]

Tour de Forth

Tour de Forth
Helensburgh
Tour of the Borders

I’ve loads of scenic routes plotted around Perth and Loch Tummel area, so as long as we can meet up with at least one other, I won’t miss the sportives too much.

[Pilot Pete]

None. I just plan routes and

None. I just plan routes and ride them, be it alone or with mates. Hundreds from home, some ‘away days’ where we load up the van and drive 50-100 miles away to ride different routes.

I’d much rather not be surrounded by cyclists whom I don’t know the capabilities of, especially going up/ down iconic climbs/ descents and plan cafe stops in beautiful country villages rather than get handfuls of sugary gels and cakes from a gazebo.

Oh, and it doesn’t cost an entry fee to get said gels and have some luminous yellow arrows to follow, and some tatty ‘medal’ that will just sit in a drawer reminding me that I did it.

But each to their own.

[Author]

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