MUST-DO RIDES IN 2023
Start the year in style with our pick of the best UK and European events next up on the calendar...
JANUARY
15 Jan 2023
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Edinburgh, Scotland 2-4hrs
Leaving from Edinburgh’s Alpkit store, this self-supported ride explores gravel routes around the capital. From £10
29 Jan 2023
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Bristol 2-4hrs
The Sonder Series moves to Bristol’s Alpkit store, and the best gravel routes around the West Country city. Expect mud. From £10
FEBRUARY 12 Feb 2023
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Keswick, Cumbria 2-4hrs
Keswick takes in the railway trails, fells and bridleways of the Lake District. From £10
26 Feb 2023
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia 2-4hrs
The lost lanes and forest gravel of Snowdonia provide the finale of 2023’s Series. From £10
26 Feb 2023
Hell of the Ashdown 2023 Westerham, Kent 100km
Now run by Westerham Cycling Club, this is a lumpy 100km route through the climbs of Kent and Sussex. From £30
MARCH
11 March 2023
Sherwood Forest X Clipstone, Notts 50, 62, 83km
One of Glorious Gravel’s many off-road events, this takes in the tracks of the famous forest. From £45
18 March 2023
Suffolk Gravel X
Thetford, Suffolk 47, 68, 92km
Explore Thetford Forest on trails spanning the Suffolk and Norfolk border. From £45
18 March 2023
The Wiltshire Classic Salisbury Racecourse, Wiltshire
49, 71, 117km 5 March 2023 Gran Fondo Strade Bianche
Siena, Italy 77, 130km
Plenty of multi-terrain action and elevation gain form part of this Italian classic in Tuscany, with major pro races being held on the same weekend. From €80
UKCE’s sportive navigates the medieval Drovers Trails over its three routes. From £25
25 March 2023
The Yorkshire Classic
York, Yorkshire 43, 78, 124km
Another event from UKCE, this sportive ventures to North Yorkshire and East Riding. From £25
26 March 2023
Mad March Hare Sportive Wythall, Worcestershire 106km The Mad March Hare returns for its 15th edition. From £35
26 March 2023
Cotswold Cross 2023 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
35, 55, 75km
There are both on and off-road sections on quiet roads, lanes and bridleways. From £45
APRIL
1 April 2023
Tour of Flanders Sportive Oudenaarde, Belgium
75, 144, 179, 235km
The 107th edition of the pro Spring Classic sees amateurs take on the cobbles the day before. From €65
2 April 2023
Ride Wessex Downs Dirty Gravel Sportive
Reading, Berkshire 55, 101km
This ride takes in the North Wessex Downs. A road sportive is also held on the same day. From £38
8 April 2023
Paris Roubaix Sportive Busigny to Roubaix, France
70, 145, 172km
Another cobbled classic held alongside a major pro race, with the 172km route starting in Busigny (80km north of Paris) to Roubaix. From €20
15 April 2023
The New Forest Classic Gang Warily, Hampshire
53, 95, 130km
One of UKCE’s most popular events, on the quiet, rolling New Forest lanes. From £10
16 April 2023
The Ram Sportive Lancaster, Lancashire 129km
This road event heads into the Dales for quiet lanes, famous climbs and views. From £40
16 April 2023
Tadcaster Sportive Tadcaster, North Yorks
60, 100km
This charity ride takes in quiet, and mostly flat, lanes between Leeds and York. From £30
23 April 2023
The Suffolk Spring Classic Cranleigh Showground, Suffolk
58, 89, 122km
Routes include the Surrey Hills AONB, Leith Hill and, on the 122km route, Box Hill. From £25