Cycling in the UK is a serious business, the sport is booming and bikes have become even more of a fixture in homes around the country than ever, with upwards of two million people getting on the saddle at least once a week. As massive fans of pedal power The MALESTROM is celebrating Bike Week (10-18th June) with a full week of beSPOKE features on the site from product reviews to fantastic giveaways.
First off for those amateur, but relentlessly passionate cyclists who live for their two wheels and love to test themselves over distances from 50-150 kms, we bring you three of the best cycling events in Britain, including sportives, that’ll get you just as pumped as your tyres.
1. LONDON NIGHTRIDER – LONDON
Making a welcome return for its 8th year, this unique charity event is set in the UK’s capital. Taking place at night when the roads are predominantly empty, you’ll explore some of London’s most recognisable landmarks, which really come into their own when lit up by the summer night sky. From St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge to Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Westminster and Big Ben, you’ll see the city from a unique and rare perspective.
For those lucky enough to be gearing up to burn the rubber across the ‘The Big Smoke’ this month, London Nightrider really is a fantastic opportunity to see the capital at night and to put a little heat across those thighs in doing so.
There are two routes available this year, a ready-to-go 50km bike rode and a standard 100km. They’re both circular with the event starting and finishing in Stratford at the Lee Valley VeloPark situated inside the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The 50km ride is actually just a smaller loop of the 100km route.
There’s full support and back up with regular break areas laid on across the course, and a well-earned breakfast and medal will be waiting for you at the finish. The event is on tomorrow but you can register interest for 2018 by emailing: nightrider@classicchallenge.co.uk. For those that dwell outside the Greater London area there’s also Nightrider events taking place in July in Bristol & Liverpool.
Date: June 10/11th.
Distance: 50kms & 100kms.
Website: https://www.nightrider.org.uk/london
2. THE GREAT WESTON RIDE – BRISTOL
The Great Weston Ride is one of the country’s best city-to-coast recreational bike routes and offers a serious physical challenge for all those would be Wiggins’. There’s a healthily competitive side to the event, but there’s also room for a fun day out with family and friends and with a lovely atmosphere to boot.
Great Weston kicks off in the Avon capital, Bristol and then snakes its way along the highways and byways of North Somerset, following a spectacular route through the Mendips and then across the Somerset Levels, so fresh air is not in short supply before you finally finish on the inviting seafront in Weston-super-Mare.
It’s not technically a race as you compete at your own pace and all standards are welcome, so everyone can get involved and enjoy a cycle through the Somerset countryside. You get out of it, what you put in, and there’s a real sense of achievement in finishing the ride.
The bike route itself is designed to appeal to everyone: experienced cyclists and recreational riders. The route is predominantly quiet country roads, clearly-marked and marshalled throughout and with full mechanical and medical support.
Date: 16th July.
Distance: 57 – 75 Miles
Website: http://www.greatwestonride.com/home
1. SNOWDONIA ETAPE ERYIA – WALES
Firmly recognised as one of the UK’s very best Sportives for its stunning views and one of the best ‘breaths of fresh air’ on the circuit, the Snowdonia Etape Eryri takes you on various routes around God’s own cycling country. The vistas are breathtaking and of course the epic climbs throughout Snowdonia National Park are as beautiful as they are tough, if you want to question that, speak to a Welshman!
If you haven’t got those calf muscles in shape, forget about it, the testing climbs you’ll experience here are particularly punishing. Last year over 1,200 cyclists descended on the Castle Square in Caernarfon (the start and finish point), and this year is set for even more. Sky Team guru and local boy done good, David Brailsford often lends his support to what is one of the very best cycling events in Britain.
Date: 11th June 2017.
Distance: 46 – 222 Miles
Website: http://alwaysaimhighevents.com/snowdonia-etape-eryri/etape-eryri-home
What do you think are the best cycling events in Britain? Have your say in the comments.
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