If you’re a cycling fan, then the first half of April can mean only one thing: cobbles. There are all sorts of races taking place virtually daily across Northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands over this crucial period in the racing calendar, but two giant events stand astride all others. The first Sunday of April … Read more
Our trip to ride Flanders has been planned for some time. Looking for accommodation we booked through Sportive Breaks and got ourselves sorted: 3 nights based in Kortrijk and registrations for the ride. We decided to do the medium course, simply because it’s a loop in an out of Oudenaarde. The only extra thing we … Read more
Having worked two seasons as a bike guide in Greece, I classed myself as a fairly confident cyclist despite my non-existent cobble riding experience. So, when the opportunity of riding Paris-Roubaix presented itself, after what seemed like a never ending non-bike riding snowy UK winter, the prospect of getting back in the saddle was just too good … Read more
Its the biggest cycling weekend of the year with the most famous one day race in world cycling and a massive sportive to boot. If you have ever thought about going, here is everything you need to know. Paris Roubaix Sportive The day before the pro race is your chance to ride the famous pave. … Read more
The sportive season is finally here. The first two months are firmly focused on northern Europe and the famed pave of northern France and cobbled bergs of Flanders. March & April are packed with some great sportives. Cycling weekends do not come better with great beer, nightlife and massive pro races on the Sunday. Best … Read more
You can’t just turn up and play football at Wembley the day before the cup final. You can’t go and bat at Lords the morning of a Test match and you can’t run the 100m at the Olympic Stadium while Usain Bolt is warming up on the track. Unique to cycling is the brilliant reality … Read more
At number 4 in our series of unmissable sportives, the ones you have to ride at some point of your life, is probably the most iconic ride in cycling – Paris Roubaix. Its not very long (the long route is 163km), its very flat with almost no serious inclines and the weather is often perfect … Read more
You’ve ridden some local sportives in the UK. You’ve spent your work days in July glued to ITV Player watching the Tour. You’ve read all about the cobbles of Roubaix and the bergs of Flanders. Its time to pack your bike and ride the greatest roads in the world at one of Europe’s best sportives. … Read more