Having a goal to work towards transforms your training, makes every ride feel purposeful and gives you that extra motivation to get out the door on the days when the sofa is calling. Here's a look at what's out there this summer and how to make the most of it.
Why Enter a Cycling Event?
If you've never done a organised ride before, it might feel a bit daunting. But the reality is that cycling events are welcoming, well-organised and genuinely brilliant fun - whatever your level.
- Built-in motivation - a date in the diary focuses your training like nothing else
- Feed stations - someone else worries about the snacks for once!
- Closed or marshalled roads on many events - safer and more enjoyable riding
- The atmosphere - riding with hundreds of other cyclists is an experience in itself
- A real sense of achievement when you cross the finish line
Types of Cycling Events
🏅 Sportives
Sportives are the most popular format for amateur road cyclists. They're not races - they're timed, supported rides over a set distance, usually with multiple route options to suit different abilities. Feed stations, mechanical support and route marking are all taken care of.
Most sportives offer short, medium and long route options, so you can be ambitious or realistic depending on where your fitness is.
🚵 MTB and Gravel Events
Off-road events have exploded in popularity in recent years. From fast gravel races to enduro-style MTB events, there's a huge variety of formats to explore. If you fancy something more adventurous than a road sportive, these are well worth looking into.
🚲 Charity Rides
Charity cycling events are a fantastic way to combine a great ride with raising money for a cause you care about. They tend to be very well supported, extremely welcoming and open to all abilities. RideLondon, the Manchester to Blackpool and countless local events fall into this category.
🏆 Gran Fondos
A step up from a standard sportive - Gran Fondos are longer, often more challenging events that attract serious amateur riders. Many include timed segments where you can compare yourself against other participants. A great target if you want to push yourself.
Events Worth Looking at This Summer
The UK summer calendar is packed. A few worth researching:
- RideLondon - one of the biggest and most iconic cycling events in the UK, drawing tens of thousands of riders through London and into the Essex countryside
- Étape Caledonia - a stunning closed-road sportive through Perthshire, Scotland
- Fred Whitton Challenge - a legendary and brutally tough route through the Lake District for those who want a serious challenge
- Tour of Cambridgeshire - a great option for riders in the east of England
- Local club sportives - almost every cycling club runs at least one event through summer. These are often the most friendly and well-organised rides of all
It's also worth checking British Cycling's event finder and Cycling UK for a full picture of what's happening near you.
How to Prepare for Your First Event
📅 Train Consistently
You don't need to be super fit - but a few weeks of regular riding beforehand will make the experience far more enjoyable. Build up your longest ride gradually so the event distance doesn't feel like a shock.
🔧 Get Your Bike Checked
The last thing you want is a mechanical on event day. Get a basic service done a couple of weeks before - check the chain, brakes, gears and tyres. Leave enough time to sort any issues before the big day.
🍌 Practice Your Nutrition
Work out what you're going to eat and drink during the ride and practise it on your training rides. Event day is not the time to try something new.
😴 Rest Before the Event
Resist the temptation to cram in extra training in the final week. Rest, sleep well and arrive at the start line fresh rather than tired.
🎽 Sort Your Kit
Make sure everything fits, nothing chafes and your shoes, helmet and gloves are all comfortable. Again - test everything in training, not on the day.
Final Thoughts
Cycling events are one of the highlights of the summer for riders of all abilities. Whether you're targeting a personal best, riding for charity or simply experiencing the buzz of a mass participation event for the first time - it's something every cyclist should do.
Get something booked, train with a purpose and enjoy every mile. See you at the start line! 🎉
