It’s January, a time for setting resolutions like losing weight or exercising more. Resolutions that, lets face it, most people don’t keep past the end of January.
This year, instead of making a vague resolution that you know you won’t keep, why not set yourself an achievable goal? To give you some inspiration, we’ve listed what we think are the top 10 challenges of 2015. Whether you’ve just started cycling, or you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll be able to find an event to motivate and challenge you and ultimately help achieve your goals for 2015.
New to cycling? Challenges 1-3 are a great place to start your journey
1. Great Notts Bike Ride
Date: 21st June
Distance: 25 miles
Price: £14
Perfect for those new to cycling, the traffic managed route will take you on a scenic ride through the sleepy Nottinghamshire countryside.
2. Cycling Weekly Malvern Mad Hatter
Date: 23rd August
Distance: 43 miles
Price: £25
Want to step up to organised sportives? The shortest version of the Malvern Mad Hatter is a great place to start, with gradual climbs and sensational views, you’ll be challenged but motivated at the same time - a great introduction to the world of cycling.
3. Wiggle Peak District Punisher
Date: 27th September
Distance: 75 miles
Price: £33
With an elevation gain of 7355 ft tough climbs await in the picturesque Peak District.
Been cycling for a while and need a new challnge? Take a look at challenges 4 - 7:
4. RideLondon Surrey 100
Date: 2nd August
Distance: 100 miles
Price: From £58
Take the next step with the RideLondon-Surrey 100 - a challenging distance for any rider, this event will see you taking on the climbs made famous in the London 2012 Olympic games.
5. Coast to Coast
Date: Anytime
Distance: From 140 miles
A classic cycle route which takes you across the Northern Lakes and Pennines. Be warned, you might need more than a weekend for this one!
6. Wiggle Dragon Ride - Dragon Devil
Date: 7th June
Distance: 302 km
Price: £92.50
Not for the feint hearted, the Dragon Devil features all of the toughest climbs in the infamous Dragon Ride, including the 15% gradient Devils Staircase.
7. Try something new
If you’ve been cycling for a while, you’ve most likely settled into your comfort zone, going out on club runs at the weekend and training hard (on your Wattbike of course!) during the week. Why not take the new year as a chance to mix things up a little - try your hand at track cycling, give cyclo-cross a go or perhaps even give triathlon a whirl.
Now onto the epic rides - you have been warned!
8. LEJOG
Date: Anytime
Distance: Approx. 1,200 miles
Now we’re into the epic rides, first we start off with a classic, Lands End to John O’Groats is a must on every cyclists bucket list.
9. Haute Route
Date: From 15th August to 6th September
Distance: From 812km
Price: From €1,600
A series of events dubbed ‘the highest and toughest cyclosportives in the world’ - need we say any more?
10. One Day Ahead - Le Tour 2015
Date: 3rd - 25th July
Distance: 3344km
Price: £50,000 minimum sponsorship
A lucky team of 20 cyclists will ride the 2015 Tour de France route, one day ahead of the professionals. The stages include 9 flat, 3 hilly, 7 mountain, 2 time trial and 2 rest days - an absolutely incredible adventure for the seasoned cyclist.
Feeling inspired yet? Let us know in the comments below which challenge you’ll be taking on in 2015.