The Tour of Flanders is upon us, meaning the Spring Classics are well underway. If you want a taste of the action but can't get over to France or Belgium, fear not: a small but growing number of Classics-inspired sportives are springing up here in the UK. Whether it's the velodrome finish of Paris-Roubaix, the cobbled climbs of Flanders, or even the white roads of the Strade Bianche, you can find it all on home shores. So put away your passport and check out these homegrown sportive tributes to cycling's most famous races...
Velopace Spring Classic Sportive
Sunday 3 April
Now in its second year, The Velopace Spring Classic is an early season leg-warmer based amid the telescope domes of the Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux. The undulating course rolls out into the Sussex Weald and the Ashdown Forest, through 62 miles of country lanes with very little traffic.
Featuring Belgian style frits & mayo and some hot soup and crusty bread to warm you up at the feed station, there's even a free bottle of Belgian beer and a medal at the end for every finisher. Save it till you get home, and enjoy while watching the Tour of Flanders...
Cost: £25
For more information and to enter, visit: www.velopace.com
Rapha Hell of the North
Sunday 10 April 2016
Now in its seventh year, Rapha's annual tribute to Paris-Roubaix leads riders from Pond Square, Highgate on a barnstorming 95km tour of Hertfordshire's gnarliest country lanes. Featuring 19 off-road sections of 'gravé', the HOTN is a North London institution and a hugely enjoyable day out, with a pub finish just in time to watch the pros race into Roubaix Velodrome.
Previously run as a free event, this year entries cost £10 and were allocated via ballot, which has now closed. But hey, the roads are open to anyone willing to download a route map... just don't try to blag the free beer and frites at the end!
Cost: £10 (sold out)
For more information, visit: www.rapha.cc
Ronde van Calderdale
Sunday 10 April 2016
Organised by Kirklees Cycling Academy in homage to the Tour of Flanders, the Ronde van Calderdale has established itself as one of the toughest Classics-inspired sportives in the country. Based in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, the 72-mile ride features 13 testing climbs on both cobbles and tarmac road sections.
Retro/vintage kit is welcome but not mandatory, and all proceeds go to help develop riders from Kirklees Cycling Academy - a cheering thought as you struggle up the cobbled Dodlee Lane (avg. 14%) in your woolen jersey!
Cost: £25 (£30 on the day)
For more information and to enter, visit: britishcycling.org.uk
Lapierrre Tour of the Black Country Sportive
Sunday 8 May 2016
Inspired by Paris-Roubaix, the Lapierre Tour of the Black Country is a 100km sportive which takes in 20km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and bridleways in the West Midlands and Worcestershire, with a Roubaix-style finish at event HQ in Aldersley Velodrome, Wolverhampton.
Cost: £25
For more information and to enter, visit: cycleclassics.co.uk
Bronte Cobbled Classic
Saturday 21 May
Held to celebrate the 200th Bronte anniversary, the Bronte Cobbled Classic features three of Cycling Weekly's top 14 UK cobbled climbs. Organisers Yorkshire Velo Tours say, "Although not long in distance (and it is no disgrace to walk the steepest sections) the combination of cobbles and gradient provide a real challenge."
The toughest climbs are loaded in the first half of the 55-mile ride as the route takes riders around Ilkley Moor, then onto Thwaites Brow in Keighley. From there the cobbled fun continues as you head towards Halifax and then over Withens Moor (the inspiration for Wuthering Heights) before descending into Haworth ready for the iconic climb of main street. The final part of the ride crosses the Aire Valley and after the sharp Priest Bank, made famous by the Tour de Yorkshire, before descending back to Ilkley.
Cost: £63
For more information and to enter, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Lapierre Cheshire Cobbled Classic Sportive
Sunday 29 May 2016
Cycle Classics' tribute to the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), the Cheshire Cobbled Classic is billed as an extremely tough 105km sportive featuring twelve cobbled sectors. Five cobbled climbs exceed 20% in gradient, including the infamous 45% max. Corkscrew - claimed to be the steepest in the country.
With 1600m of climbing the course includes an ascent of Swiss Hill - a 25% cobbled climb used by Team Sky to prepare for Flanders - making sure you'll have earned your complimentary Belgian waffles, chocolate and glass of Leffe at the finish line.
Cost: £25
For more information and to enter, visit: cycleclassics.co.uk
Lapierre White Roads Classic Sportive
Sunday 3 July 2016
No prizes for guessing which Classic the White Roads Sportive seeks to emulate. Prepare for a dust-up on Oxfordshire's very own Strade Bianche on this 115km sportive based around The Ridgeway Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route takes in nine sectors - totaling 15km - of white gravel and chalk roads, most of which are closed to traffic.
Cost: £25
For more information and to enter, visit: cycleclassics.co.uk
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