Sportive rides in Britain are selling out in record time, with a host of new events springing up to meet demand for disappointed cyclists unable to secure a ride on more established events while also providing a way in for less experienced riders who are perhaps not quite prepared to take on some of the more challenging courses.

Last week, we reported that organisers of the Etape Caledonia had revealed that this year’s race had sold out with 4,500 cyclists entering, a 50% increase on 2009, providing further evidence of the pulling power of sportive events across the UK and beyond. Read more...