Sportive outings

By fondoman

After the runaway success of the Forest of Dean outing - where next?

So far we have club members going to the following over the next couple of months (more will appear for later in the summer as we get a bit nearer), but please let us know if you are planning any others or want to know if anyone else fancies a particular ride - just add a comment to this page! As each one comes up we’ll set up a new post on the home page for it in the week before - like we did for the FOD.

17 Responses to “Sportive outings”

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  1. 1 Matt May 9, 2008 at 11:25 am

    OK what’s everyone up to? I can’t make the GFC, but am on for the 15th June (Shrop Challenge/Dragon) depending on what everyone else fancies? Also up for the Iron Mountain/Mayhem weekend.

  2. 2 fondoman May 9, 2008 at 11:55 am

    Will be doing the GFC, Shrops Challenge, and possibly the Mayhem - can’t make Iron Mountain as it is a Saturday and the Stinger clashes with our TdF trip :-)

  3. 3 Matt May 9, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    Oooh yes.. TdF trip… I’d almost forgotten about that. Can’t wait :-)

  4. 4 charler May 9, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    Yep! I’m free for either the Iron Mountain or Mayhem and I’ll be doing the Stinger while you boys are enjoying the Tdf. Also, already entered the Highland Challenge, but ride this steadily with my dad and uncle so I’m not supposed to jump onto peoples wheels as they go past, but I do…. only up the hills tho’! :)

  5. 5 tangoi2 May 11, 2008 at 9:09 am

    My bro and I are In the Gran Fondo Cymru (Medio), The Dragon ride (looking forward to the experience of the massed start) ;-) The local, to us, Mayhem at Ledbury and now The Wyre Forest Stinger (climbing past my house)!
    Consider ourselves so lucky having all these events so close :-)

    Dave

  6. 6 charler May 14, 2008 at 3:14 pm

    Just looking through the sportive calendar and one ride has jumped out at me that hasn’t been mentioned. It’s the Tour of the Black Mountains on Saturday 26th July 2008. With 12,393 ft of climbing they claim that this is one of the hardest sportives in the country. Two routes 115 and 85 mile. Has anybody ridden this one before? Does anybody want to?

  7. 7 Phil May 15, 2008 at 11:39 am

    Very good question Charlie - how did we overlook this one? I will be checking it out on the web later ;-)

  8. 8 Greek May 15, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    Tour of the Black Mountains will be the only one i can do as i’m holiday for the others. Sooo depending on what i’m like after the TDF trip i’d probably go for that one.

  9. 9 Phil Whiteman May 15, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    I was impressed to see so many Epic riders on the FoD Classic - you all stood out in the Epic jerseys and it was a credit to your club.

    Now the flattery is over, here is some unashamed advertising: You would be all be welcome to join the Beacon’s Cotswold Audax held on the 15th June. Whilst not a sportive, we try and run it more professionally than the usual audax. It starts from South Brum. Up to 500 riders usually participate in routes of 100km, 150km or 200km. I am sure that if you completed the FoD Classic, you would be fine on the 200km.

    Plus you can enter online!

    Take a look at http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/cotswold/index.html

    Looking forward to your own excellent Devil Ride and Autumn Epic (just a bit more flattery here!)

  10. 10 charler May 16, 2008 at 8:25 am

    I think the Tour of the Black Mountains is restricted to 400 riders, so we’d best get our entries in soon!

  11. 11 Matt May 16, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    Just looked at the Tour of the Black Mountains website and saw this…

    “Starting from the Village of Lanvihangel you will head due North and straight into the first climb of the day, which as you can see from the profile above is a brute that continues for 18 km.”

    18km…????? Christ on a bike!

    I’m up for the 85 miler though if anyone else is..? Need to be quick mind…

  12. 12 Phil May 16, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    It is a nice gentle climb Matt - you will fly! Great scenery too. If the calendar allows I plan to do the 85 miler too as I actually prefer the route…not whimping out of the long one at all ;-)

  13. 13 Matt May 16, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    Just entered the 85 miler. Should bring me nicely into shape for the Devil Ride :-)
    Anyone else coming to play? Greek? Charler? You know you want to!

  14. 14 charler May 16, 2008 at 3:18 pm

    Does anybody know if the 114 mile ride uses the same course as the 85? I want to do the 114 but not at the risk of riding it alone. Hopefully it just adds a bit on in the latter stages but I can’t get the interactive map to work!

  15. 15 Matt May 16, 2008 at 5:32 pm

    Doesn’t work on mine either Charler. A Mac thing perhaps..?

    Shropshire Challenge entry form going off today too :-)

  16. 16 ROBIN June 12, 2008 at 10:29 am

    Hi Guy’s,

    Anybody doing the Mayhem Sportive ?

    This will be a good scenic ride with plenty of up’s and down’s but unlike the F.O.D. there are at least some nice flat sections in between.

    Halfway round is very close to home and my stomping patch of the “Checkley climbs” and the later dreaded “Capler climb” (bit like the “Goggin” that one, say no more !).

    I’ve entered along with my mate Tim Wintour (expect a few other’s of our gang will do a last minute entry). I know Paul Davis the Event organiser and he has mentioned that you can now enter on the day.

    Bye for now,

    Robin.

  17. 17 ROBIN June 23, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    Hi Guy’s,

    Did the Mayhem Sportive yesterday and it was a 103km cracker, nice well marked out route with some tasty bits in it (due to the constant head wind it was certainly a good workout but atleast the sun was out all day).

    Spent the afternoon chatting to lots of mates who were doing the 24HR MTB Event and also bumped into Lincoln.

    Hope to catch up with you all soon on a Saturday ride.

    Bye for now,

    Robin.

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