The 2012 Haute Route
Posted by Mark on November 15, 2011 under sportives | 
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Route finally announced. Read more of this article »
A goal for 2012 – The Haute Route
Posted by Mark on September 9, 2011 under sportives | 3 Comments to Read
When I heard of this year’s Haute Route I looked at entering. Read more of this article »
Entry to the 2009 Fred Whitton Challenge
Posted by Mark on January 13, 2009 under sportives | Be the First to Comment
Let the worry, panic, and manic training commence. I got in to the 2009 Fred Whitton Challenge.
Having completed the ride last year I know what to expect this year, and I can sum it up in one word. Pain.
Pondering other Sportives to do for 2009
Posted by Mark on November 8, 2008 under sportives | Be the First to Comment
I quite fancy bagging one or two more Sportives in mainland Europe in 2009. I’m already signed up to do L’Etape, so I’m looking for ideas.
Just found these pair, that look tasty:
Gran Fondo Marco Pantani
Time Megève Mont-Blanc
Both take in some killer climbs – GF Marco Pantani, for example, takes in the Gavia and the Mortirolo (which I’ve read some nasty stuff about. Average of 13% for starters, 18% sections, and an overall average of 10%. Eeek!).
Still, plenty of time to decide. I should get out on the bike.
L’Etape du Tour 2009 announced
Posted by Mark on October 22, 2008 under sportives | Be the First to Comment
And it’s a stormer!
Being a massive fan of Ventoux, and despite the gross amounts of discomfort I suffered at the hands of this years L’Etape, I’ve signed up! For this Etape I intend to get my training somewhat better organised than the last attempt. Which means getting out of bed on dark Sundays in winter to pack the miles in. Hmmm, we’ll see how that goes.
L’Etape du Tour 2008, booked
Posted by Mark on November 5, 2007 under sportives | Be the First to Comment
After doing a couple of sportives this year I’ve decided I need to do the ultimate sportive – L’Etape du Tour. The route for 2008 looks, thankfully, less sinister than this years. With two big Pyrenean climbs in the form of The Col du Tourmalet and The Hautacam to conquer, in July heat, I can’t imagine it will be a walk in the park. I’d best get training then.
Rutland and Belvoir cyclosportive
Posted by Mark on July 3, 2007 under sportives | Be the First to Comment
I rode Kilotogo’s Rutland and Belvoir sportive at the weekend. My first foray into Sportives, the 107km route was just comfortably challenging. A few nice climbs, and some dodgy decents on single track roads. I spent some time sitting in with groups, but also a fair bit of the course on my own – often behind a group going too fast for me, and ahead of a slower group.
At 4.08 for the route (less the food stop) I was perfectly happy – it was the longest distance I’ve ridden since I was a teenager (and that was a considerable amount of years ago:-)).
Kilotogo’s organisation was great, the bright pink arrows marking all the turns en route made it simple to navigate.
I think I’ve caught the bug now, and can’t wait to do my next Sportive.