Sportives have become one of cycling’s most popular events..not a race ..but an individually timed event with a result sheet..riders start in groups of 20 or so at short intervals..for many the object is just to finish and do a better time next time.They are not cheap to enter..average cost £20 but this usually includes food and drink at feeding stations on the course and after the event..some events use electronic chip timing..distances vary it’s a good idea to go for medium rides early season and save the long ones for nice weather and long days..no licence is required to enter these events
Several members have expressed interest in these events so we thought it would be a good idea to have a Sportive section where we can all enter the same events, not necessarily over the same distances, and travel together to keep the cost down.We have the use of a van to carry bikes a 3 riders and various other cars for remaining riders.A list of events is printed below,it is by no means complete as many more are yet to be announced.It is important to get entries in early as fields fill up,however it can be annoying to enter something 100 miles away only to find a week later that a new event is announced much nearer home!!

The events in bold letters are considered definates  the others will depend on demand

For more information the event co-ordinator is Mike Parkin who can be contacted on 01778 344493(Deeping car Hire) mikeparkins@btconnect.com

Once you have entered please let Mike know so he can organise transport.

Please note that priority of places will go to Bourne wheelers members

date	event	area	distance	entries
sun 1 march	Nelson Sportive	Long Sutton	50m/80m
sat 25 april	Discover Rutland	Oakham	50m/100m	400
sun 3may	Squires & Spires	Naseby	50m/80m	500
sun 17 may	the Midland monster	Rolliston	110k/160k	400
sun 23 may	Richmond Sportives	Dales	80m/100m	500
sun 31 may	Chiltern 100 Challenge	Gt Missenden	50m/68m/107m	1300
sun 7 june	Grand Fondo Polkadot spud Riley	Peak District	54m/100m	600
sun 28 june	white Rose Challenge	Ilkey	80k/130k/182k	600
sun 12 july	Porkpies and Potholes	Rutland	80k/130k/185k
sun 26 july	Shop2shop Torture	St Ives	100m	500

more events at Cycling Weekly page http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/British_cyclosportive_calendar_2009_article_276370.html