UK Cycling Events Reviews 31

We recently rode the Peaks Tour Sportive. Throughly enjoyed the Route, great signage as well.
My one request , and other riders that I spoke too, could you provide savoury snacks at the feed-stops. So many of us use sweet snacks on the ride, we really crave something savoury. Triangles of sandwiches, sausage rolls would be most welcome.

York Cycle Festival is a great event! Loads to do and see.
Lots of new bikes and kit available, some awesome frame builders with stunning bikes.

A fantastic morning out on the bike. Well organised, great route and a pretty busy event. Only downside was the weather but that's between me and the sky - not the organisers fault. Highly recommended. Will be riding with these guys again soon.

Easy registration. Great course with a mix of hills and flats. Splendid views. Very clear signage on the route. Excellent staff at start, finish, marshals en route and feed stations. Wooden medal.....Hmmmmm.... could do better.
Tim Crouch 115

I'm new to Road Cycling and took it up this year to keep fit after a friend gave me a road bike! This was my second event and longest ever ride, having done the Standard 120km course. Really enjoyed the day, very well organised, could not fault the day in any way. The route was well signed with Marshalls stationed at the potentially dangerous junctions. Great vibe and excellent Pizzas on offer when finished. Thanks, I'll join you again next year and try the Epic, with some more riding over the winter.

The Surrey Tour 2023 was excellent! So we’ll organised in every aspect from registration to finishing. Didn’t have to wait around for anything and had at event base and food stops just what was needed, including mechanic! Short course was a good route and not too busy. I will definitely use ukce again.

First Sportif and having done several running events, thought this was superbly organised, great fun and had some beautiful views.

New forest cycle sportive 17th September 23. Route was good but only portaloos at start were already disgusting at 0830 and no alternatives inside. Weather was wet so we were soaked to skin on return but nowhere to shower or even change into dry clothes was really disappointing. Food station was ok. Results and photos posted next day but photos not searchable so spent ages looking through one by one and not a single photo of us was also disappointing. Please improve changing facilities, toilet facilities and make photos searchable by race number. £30 entry fee - expected better.

What a day to remember! My first time out with UKCE on the 2023 Peaks Tour. I can't even fault anything. Staff were helpful to me as I was new. Emails passed on were fantastic with good information. Food and drink on the course was great. The route was fantastic along with the signage, the timing tech was great too. I even had my photo on the website too.
Even at the finish line the young gentleman asked if
I enjoyed myself and congratulated me.

My hat is off to this team.

Did the Peaks Tour 2023, my first UKCE event (but not my first sportive), and was impressed. The marshaling and sign posting was excellent, with good provision of feed stations. Will definitely do it again.

Hi. UK CYCLING EVENTS.
No doubt at all that from all the events that I have been, UK cycling is the best organisation in any way.
I know it's not considered a race but would be great to know the classification between all riders and to have a better control on does resisted to do long ride for example a then they finish doing the medium or short rides and don't say nothing to the organisation.
Thanks and all the best for the future

UKCE consistently provides the best event days. Clearly marked routes including hazard signs (if they say slow down then I would listen) and even volunteers at some of the more dangerous road crossings. Kind helpful staff, a great mechanic that does not charge the earth for spare tubes if you get caught out. Fantastic medals (even if they are wooden now) and they always provide free access to event photographs taken by talented photographers.. all together UKCE you guys are awesome!!

Well organized and well stocked feed station.
However on a 90km route there should have been 2 feed stations, there was only 1 after 60km.
Only 2 vans open at the end so no choice for food.
Advertised as easy, post winter course but it was much hillier than expected.

I rode the Sunday New Forest Classic.
The course was well designed, with very clear guidance. The feed stops were good also.
The last climb was a bit tricky with a few very slow cyclists causing a long traffic jam and increasingly upset car drivers.
My biggest frustration was the provision of coffee and food at the end. The two providers no doubt offered wonderful artisan coffee and lovely hand made pizza - but they were woefully underprepared to accommodate the numbers of people wanting their products. The queues were long and we gave up on both - opting for Starbucks on the way home instead.
The queues for both were around 30 minutes long - not what you want after a long ride.
This let down what was otherwise an excellent event - I think you should have bit of a re-think as many like us would just abandon the end-of-ride atmosphere to seek out food and coffee.

I completed the Yorkshire Classic 2023 long route, the course was great, excellent signage, and very helpful staff / marshalls, however I was a little let down by the pitstops, a lack of variety and no hot drinks, what a shame, this would have been a 5 star review, however I would certainly ride this event again, as the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Yorkshire Classic last weekend.
Having done a few Sportives now, and on this one taking a friend for his first Sportive, it was a bit disappointing.
The route was great, we did the long one, it had a few hills and it all worked well on the day. Signage also great. The big let down was the fuel stops. Nothing but sweets, cake, crisps and chopped up bananas. When doing a long route, its much better to have a savoury offering as a minimum. The stand out being that there was no hot drink which feels like a must for a March sportive. It was a cold day, windy and rainy and you would expect a hot drink. When I asked, they simply said "if we did that people would never leave". Which I understand was a joke but slightly annoying 40 and 60 miles in with nothing more than another cake to offer.
I wouldn't ride this again solely for that reason, lots of other sportives out there that cater more to the needs of the course and season.

The Wiltshire Classic was a well organised event, good information in advance, clear instructions on the day, a gorgeous and well signposted route on the day. Very friendly staff out on the route and at feed stations. A few reasons why we didn't give 5 stars: not enough loos at first feed station (and none for those doing the short route), too many sweet things at feed stations and the wooden medals were poor, might as well not bother with them. Not many photos at the end which was a shame, especially for those doing their first sportive and wanting that big moment to be captured.

Very easy event to attend with all essentials laid on.
The medium route was well planned for an early season test without being too challenging. Some really nice quiet lanes, villages and great views on the downs.

Outstanding organisation. Friendly staffing. Immaculate signage. Superb venue and course (long version).

This is no reflection on UKCE but it is remarkable how many riders (many of whom would consider themselves to be experienced) rode without a rear mudguard. Selfish behaviour in a group situation.