A Cyclo Sportive (aka "Cyclo")
is a timed mass cycling events. Being timed these events naturally turn
into semi-competitive races.
The most famous of the events
is the Etape du Tour. Organized yearly by ASO (the Organizers of the
Tour de France), this Cyclo takes place over a stage of the current year
Tour de France, just a few days before the Pros.
These events are growing in
popularity and we have positioned ourselves to be among the leaders if not
THE leader is this field of travel. Our efforts have lead us to associate
with:
- ASO for the Etape du Tour
(we are official partners on this famous event)
- The UCI on their 8 Golden
Bike events
... and we are working on other
partnerships as we speak!
Challenges which regroup
several of these races also add to the experience by offering a ranking
best on performance on these races - an Amateur version of the Pro
rankings if you will - The UCI Golden Bike is the largest. 78,000 cyclists
take part in the 8 events combined.
You will find the list of Cyclo
Sportives we offer below. In order to keep things fairly simple, these are
listed in chronological order. Some of our trips fill up well in advance (the Etape du Tour for example) and early booking is recommended.
The degree of difficulty of each race is indicated by a star rating:
(*) = easy
(**) = average
(***) = difficult
(****) = very difficult
If your big cycling challenge
comes in July, and is one of the big mountain races, it is highly advised
to participate in a prior event. Specialized magazines will actually
recommend participating in 2 to 3 events a month in the months leading to
your goal race. While this might be a bit extreme and geared toward the
"very-serious" enthusiast (ok... half-pro!), participating in a few events
prior to "the big one" is a good idea. You will be able to familiarize
yourself with race conditions ; your Sunday ride probably doesn't include
several thousand participants and experience in riding in such a large
group will certainly be beneficial. If you would like us to help choosing
your goal-race and preparation races, we will be happy to do so.
March 12th,
2006 - Cape Argus Pick N'Pay Cycle Tour (*) -
UCI Golden Bike event -
Official Tour Operator
The Cape Argus Pick'n Pay Cycle Tour is an
extraordinary event. The road is completely closed to traffic.
The circuit first of all uses 25 kilometres of motorway,
before running along the Atlantic Ocean towards the Cape of
Good Hope then coming back to the centre of Cape Town. Riding
together with more than 40,000 participants is a really unique
experience that one must experience to truly appreciate it.
March 19th,
2006 - Medio Fondo Milan / San Remo (**) -
Gazetta 110 challenge
Organized by
the Gazetta dello sport, the magazine which also puts together
the Giro d'Italia and the Milan San Remo race. The end of the
race go over the same itinerary as the Milan - San Remo race,
including the famous Poggio climb!
April 2006
April 1st,
2006 - Tour of Flanders (***) -
UCI Golden Bike event - Official Tour Operator
The Tour of Flanders is without doubt one of
the biggest sporting events in Belgium. The day before the
professional event, every amateur cyclist can also experience
the special atmosphere of this legendary race. The ultimate
challenge is to ride the 257 km that the professionals will
follow the next day. However, the 140 and 74 km circuits will
already give everyone the chance to put their calf muscles to
this arduous test. With a very hilly profile, the Tour of
Flanders is also open to Mountain Bikers. The 25,50 and 75 km
circuits have been planned out by specialists and fully meet
the expectations of all bikers, whatever their level.
April 15th,
2006 - Amstel Gold Race (***) -
UCI Golden Bike event - Official Tour Operator
The Tour version Amstel Gold Race is the
largest cycling event in The Netherlands taking place the day
before professionals ride the Amstel Gold Race. Six different
distances make it possible for every cyclist to face their
greatest contest. Unique about this race is the beautiful
setting; Limburg is a paradise for the cycling enthusiast. The
rural environment, the often very steep, short rises and the
great differences in altitude within just a few kilometres,
make the Limburg hills a real challenge
May 2006
May 7th, 2006
- Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi (**)- UCI Golden Bike event
- Official Tour Operator
The International Granfondo Felice Gimondi
represents one of the major cycling event in Italy. In 10
years more than 40.000 bikers have taken part at this event,
enjoying the possibility to ride beside the biggest champions
of the past and the present. Infact, Felice Gimondi every year
celebrates his winnings and invites his old rivals for a
healthy riding. Merckx, Adorni, Saronni, Moser, De Wlaeminck,
De Muynck and the most recent Fondriest, Argentin, Bugno,
Chiappucci and our unforgettable Marco Pantani. The cyclists
can choose between three different routes suitable for all the
levels. The day before the event everyone can have a walk in
the expo, collects gadgets and all the informations in a
friendly atmosphere. After the race, they can eat at the
“Pasta Party”, relax at the massages stand, rest with their
families on the grass entertained by the music of radio dj.
May 21st,
2006 - l'Epervier (**) - Grand
Trophee
The race
takes place on the Cote d'Azur by Saint Tropez - At this
season, that could almost be good enough a reason in itself to
join up! Beautiful scenery and great volunteer staff. Three
distances are offered ranging from 63km to 174km and elevation
gains up to 2300m (7550'). This is also a perfect preparatory
race for a July big event (Etape du Tour , Maratona dles
Dolomites or Marmotte for example)
May 28th,
2006 - Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Dolomiti Stars (***) -Gazetta 110 challenge
This is the
equivalent to the Etape du Tour on the Giro d'Italia. This
170km (or 110km) race goes over the same itinerary as stage
#19 of the 2006 Giro. The total positive elevation gain for
the long distance is 3442m (11,300') and contains 4 passes.
This race is part of of Giro trip as well.
Very nice and
challenging race. Mont Ventoux of course, almost twice... the
second time, you stop at Chalet Reynard and head back down. 3
distances from 75km to 170km and up to 3500m (11,500').
Another great event of cycling. This trip includes the climb
of Mont Ventoux the next day (rested). 21km straight up hill.
It is hard to
find such a unanimously acclaimed Cyclo. This in only the 3rd
edition yet the word is out... it is the next big one. The
Organization is second to none and Time is a great sponsor of
the event. 3 distances from 80km to 150km and elevation up to
3535m (11,600'). This is a perfect preparatory race for a July
big event (Etape du Tour, Maratona dles Dolomites or Marmotte
for example). This race is also part of our
Dauphine Libere trip.
June 17th,
2006 -
Quebrantahuesos (****) -
UCI Golden Bike event -
Official Tour Operator
“La Magia del Pirineo” Since the beginning of
this adventure, we, the people of Quebrantahuesos, have tried
to remain faithful to a certain way of acting, based on these
four principles: respect of the environment, continual
innovation, attention to participants’ requests and the
quality and safety of the circuit. The wonderful scenery of
the colossal Pyrenees like the Marie-Blanque pass and the
hospitality of volunteers are some of the elements which give
Quebrantahuesos a special charm, which will most certainly
appeal to participants. This race will be part of our ride
Across the Pyrenees trip.
At the crossing of the Ariège valleys, the
cyclosportive « l’Ariégeoise » proposes a course essentially
in a mountain area. In 2006, the riders will cross 4 mountain
passes : the Port de Lers (1517 m), the Agnes Pass (1570 m),
the Latrape Pass (1111 m), and the Port Pass (1249 m).
L’ARIEGEOISE… you have to earn it !!!
July 2006
July 2nd,
2006 - Maratona Dles Dolomites (****)
Quite
possibly THE major event in Italy, it's success parallels that
of the Etape du Tour. Just as for the Etape, the race is
limited to 9000 participants and there will be twice as many
turned down. 3 Distances from 55km to 138km and up to 4190m
(13,750') in elevation gain
An epic
itinerary. Leaving from Bourg d'Oisans, the ride takes you
over, the col del a Croix de Fer, Telegraph, Galibier and Alpe
d'Huez to polish things off. 175km and 5000m of elevation gain
(16,400'). This is one of the big events of the season and one
that you must ride at some time or another.
What's to say
that hasn't been said already. The race that everyone wants to
be a part of. It is necessary to sign up very early (we have
registrations for 2007 already). The race goes over one of the
mountain stages of the same years' Tour de France. This year,
it is stage #15 from Gap to Alpe d'Huez. Roads are completely
closed to traffic, same feed zones as the Pros, etc. If you've
ever wanted to race a stage of the Tour de France, this is
your chance.
The event is
back and takes place in August. While this is not a
mountainous stage, winds can be fierce. Registration is
limited to 3000 participants which the race previously
attained easily in a less favorable month.
August
20th, 2006 - the Laurent jalabert (**)
A low key
event that has everyone smiling. 2 distances of 80km and 150km
with elevation gains of up to 2500m (8,200')
August 26th,
2006 - the Pascal Richard (**) -
UCI Golden Bike event - Official Tour Operator
The Pascal Richard is supposed to be a meeting
of friends of cycling. As proof of that the number of
participants taking part is increasing year by year. The
Pascal Richard is also a big cycling party, for 4 to 77 year
olds which everyone can enjoy. For the fittest ones, the
wonderful panorama which can be seen on the Sunday race,
including Gruyères, Château d'Oex, les Diablerets, Gstaad and
the mythical Jaun pass, will leave each and everyone with
wonderful memories. The more relaxed participants will
experience a warm atmosphere on the 45 km circuit, without any
real difficulties, which has a magnificient panorama and goes
around Gruyères Lake. Whatever category, the Pascal Richard
event will take you into another world. In a nutshell, plenty
of reasons not to miss this opportunity to vist Bulle, the
land of cheese.
September 2006
September
3rd, 2006 - l'Alpigap (***)
You'll have
guessed by its name where the race takes place, and flat
terrain can't be much expected in the area. 3 distances of
75km to 160km and elevation gains of up to 3300m (10,825').
This race is very well organized and one of the final good
opportunities to ride the big mountains for the season.
September
10th, 2006 - les Routes du Ventoux (***)
Another Cyclo
+ climb of Ventoux on a second day. The Cyclo offers 101km and
150km and positive elevations gains of up to 2950m (9,680').
The race goes up Mont ventoux as the name indicates. On the
day before the race, there is a time trial up Mont Ventoux as
well.
September
22nd, 2006 - Riederman (**) - UCI
Golden Bike event - Official Tour Operator
The Rothaus RiderMan is a road cycling event
for all, which is taking place in Bad Dürrheim – Black Forest
/ Germany for non professionals. It offers its participants a
time trial (20,4 km), a road race with options to ride 1-6
laps (25-150 km) and a kids race. With roads completely closed
and an individual time keeping the Rothaus RiderMan is also
accompanied by a cycling trade fair, a Pasta Party, an awards
ceremony and lots of entertainment.
October 2006
October 15th,
2006 - Medio Fondo Giro di Lombardia(**) -
Gazetta 110 challenge
The last race
in the Gazetta 110 challenge takes place on the roads of the
Giro di Lombardia which also closes out the Pro's season. What
better way to finish off your own season! Distance is 110km.
