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Have been considering this since I first rode in Mallorca last year, I like sportives*, I like Mallorca, and the thought of riding closed roads with 6000 other European riders sounds pretty cool.
Problem is, no matter how I look at it, it looks like basically £700 all in for the event, accommodation, transfers, flights etc
That amount doesn't necessarily put me off, it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime type event and would rather forego luxuries like a new CX bike for a big one off event, but I do wonder what else that sort of money could get me in Europe, any other big events worth considering that possibly offer more km/£?
*a polite hint for the naysayers to go post elsewhere 😉
How long out there will you get for 700 quid? If it's 1 days riding then its a bit steep, but if you are staying for the week for 700 then that's only a couple of hundred quid more than I'm paying for a week's riding early march. Which makes the event itself only 200 quid, which whilst expensive is not bad for something you view as a once in a lifetime event.
^ Exactly this.
I'm doing this event in April but treating it as an opportunity for a nice long weekend with the wife. It was rather easier to sell to her than my other option which was a wet weekend in Northern Europe for one of the cobbled classic sportives.
Flights and accommodation were pretty reasonable and the event entry itself wasn't too bad bearing in mind it is a very long ride on closed roads and you get a jersey included.
As far as I'm aware the event is fully sold out this year though.
Don't worry, was thinking about 2020 anyway, only bringing it up now as one of the cheaper organisers (Lovevelo.co.uk) is already taking registrations for 2020 and is 1/3rd full...
Totally get the point about taking a longer week, but we'll have had two family holidays out there already and my wife (not unreasonably) would want to wait until later in the season anyway, last time we were out in May and it was nice but could have been a bit warmer... Late April is a bit unpredictable I think, have seen photos from previous 312 events being held in pouring rain etc.
Flights (based on this year's dates and prices) look like approx £200 from Edinburgh with no bike, think bike hire was £60ish according to LoveVelo. Easyjet seems to be £90 return for the bike, but can't tell if I'd pay twice because I'm having to make a connecting flight to Gatwick first.
Jet 2 is 60 quid return for bikes. Which ironically is exactly the same as i paid for the return ticket for myself. Which is a bit ridiculous..should have just bought a ticket for my bike and had it in the seat next to me!
Other options would be to just do the sportive for one of the late spring races. Paris Nice (the weekend in Nice). Cheap flights and hotel can be had. The queens stage sportive is on the Saturday. Two years ago weather was stunning. Snow up high but shorts and T-shirt weather in Nice. Then watch the Pro race from a seafront bar.
Milan San Remo another option.
http://classicissima.it/en/
Very family friendly with a large safe cycle path following the coast, flat and great for kids and families. You could do the bike path on the Saturday, then watch the pro race end, followed by the sportive on the Sunday. https://www.pistaciclabile.com/en/
Not so cheap but might be worth a look at is the Girona Cycling Festival. This would be my preference, lots of cycling to be done, Girona has a really nice mix of flat options and hills.
If you are after km/£, the standard answer is:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/
I rode the West Highland 1000km last year. Three glorious days riding in good company from Edinburgh to Kintyre, Ardnamurchan and back. The organiser really gouged us because it was a long distance event, though. £18 entry fee!
and the thought of riding closed roads with 6000 other European riders sounds pretty cool.
Err... perhaps you missed this bit when suggesting an audax
This is our favourite sportive. 2 days riding in and around Girona. It's no cheaper than the 312, but you get 2 days for the price of 1! - https://www.bikecation.co.uk/sportives-gran-fondo/sea-otter-europe.aspx
Not so cheap but might be worth a look at is the Girona Cycling Festival. This would be my preference, lots of cycling to be done, Girona has a really nice mix of flat options and hills.
I hope so, we're going there for a work/mates cycling trip in July! Actually a bit spoilt for cycling holidays this year...
The Milan San Remo trip was intriguing but it looks like the sportive/race are at different times of year? Think I still prefer the logistical neatness/closed roads of the 312 although I agree the MsR probably offers better value.
Will check Jet2 flights, we use them for our family hols, have been good so far.
Err… perhaps you missed this bit when suggesting an audax
I didn't realise Audax was specifically out of scope when suggesting potential cycling events, but I believe Paris-Brest-Paris is around 6000 participants. A bit pricier to enter than your average Audax at a couple of hundred quid, but still excellent £/mile at 1200km.
I did the 312 two years ago and it’s a great day out, especially if you’ve never ridden the Palma side of the mountain range, superb riding.
we (8 of us) hired a villa in Pollenca for about £50 a head for the week. Actually 10 days as me and the Mrs went out early and had a few days in our own before the rabble arrived.
What about this Gran Fondo La Mussara
8,000 riders, 188km of beautiful closed mountain roads, starts literally across the road from Reus airport which is served by cheap flights from several UK airports, cheap accommodation in Salou or Cambrils or Tarragona, good weather, what's not to like?
The Amateur Classicissima San Remo is the day after the pro race. Weather can be tricky, a few years when I was there it was baking hot, proper beach weather.
But it has also rained in previous years as well.
I’m also in Girona in July. Arrive on the 4th. Hired a bike yet or taking your own?