Tour o' the Borders & Prudential RideLondon - RideCatcher

From the Scottish border towns to the East Devonshire coast, this edition of the RideCatcher has nothing if not coverage.

A quick glance at the map below will give you a general idea of the location of this week's six events, but it won't give you a great deal of information of what cycling goodies we've got in store for you over the coming fortnight.

That's what all the stuff that follows is for.

This week

Saturday August 1

Prudential RideLondon

Dubbed as ‘the world’s greatest festival of cycling’ the Prudential Ride London is - hyperbole aside - a truly spectacular weekend of cycling.

Cyclists numbering in the near-100,000s are set to make their way to the capital to ride on traffic-free streets and watch a whole hosts of professional riders roll around the city at break-neck speeds.

The event is upon us, so if you’re only just hearing about it now, we’re sorry to tell you that you’ve missed your chance to take part in the Sunday’s London-Surrey 100 sportive, however, it’s not too late for you to get involved.

On the Saturday, you’ll be free to come along and take to some of the most iconic streets the city has to offer without the hassle and threat of road traffic. The FreeCycle event is free of course, and you can download a unique bike number here to attach to your ride which will allow you to take part on the day.

The races, which will feature both professional riders and young future Olympians, will be taking place on both the Saturday and the Sunday. You can find out where to watch these here.

Saturday August 1

Exmouth Exodus - 175 km
Green Park Tavern, Bath, BA1 1JB

The annual overnight 10 hour Exodus from Bath to Exmouth rolls out from road.cc’s Green Park Station headquarters in Bath this weekend.

It’s a tough old night, but the 200 people who rocked up last year rode through the rain and lived to tell the tale - hell, there are plenty of them returning for more punishment this year.

The route’s been mapped on Strava and will be available via the primitive format of a printed and laminated sheet of paper on the night - the organisers ask that you donate a solitary pound for the trouble.

Entrance is also accepted on a roll-up and ride basis; a ride in the bus home, though, has to be booked. You can do that via the website, here.

Sunday August 2

Bike for Bobby
St James’ Park, Barrack Road, Newcastle, NE1 4S

Sir Bobby Robson is more than just a former footballer and football manager to millions of people across the country - especially those in the North East.

This charity ride, set up to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which helps fund research and drugs trails in the fight against cancer.

Fittingly, the event rolls out from St James’ Park - the home of Newcastle FC, the final club Robson managed in his 54-year footballing career - and then follows three routes around the beautiful Northumberland countryside.

The three distances 64 km, 112 km, and 201 km, will cost £29 each to enter - unless of course the rider taking part is under 16, then entry to the 64 km and 112 km rides will cost £17.

Next week

Wednesday August 5 - Sunday August 9

Abergavenny Festival of Cycling

Five days of cycling in beautiful Abergavenny. Who could argue that that isn’t a fantastic way to spend a weekend?

You’ve still got a whole week to get your affairs in order to get over to the Monmouthshire countryside and take part in the fantastic list of events that’ll be on offer.

First you’ll have the chance to watch one of two competitive televised events on the Wednesday. On the Thursday you’ll follow a group on the Iron Mountain led mountain bike rides, before a weekend choice of three sportives, more races, and the chance to hear head of British Cycling performance Shane Sutton speak at the Festival Dinner.

Follow this link to find out more.

Friday August 7

Bike around Brands Hatch 2015
Fawkham, Longfield, Kent DA3 8NG

The famous 1.9 km Indy Circuit, Brands Hatch, is holding its 10th Swanley & North Downs Lions Bike around Brands Hatch event.

This is no race, it’s simply a chance for riders of all ages and abilities to ride around one of the most beloved race tracks in the country.

You can roll up to the event any time before the flag comes down and engines will be ‘go’ at 6.30 p.m. The chequered flag falls at 8.30 p.m, when riders will be expected to gather up their gears and come into pits.

Participants are encouraged to contribute as much as possible, but as a minimum each rider is asked to raise sponsorship, or make a personal donation, of at least £15 for adults and £5 for kids, payable when registering.

Swanley & North Downs Lions, the event’s organisers, will donate the lion’s share of the event’s profits to ‘ellenor’ (formerly EllenorLions Hospices), a charity which helps both adults and children who have a life threatening or life limiting illness, and their families.

Sunday August 9

Tour o’ the Borders

On stunning closed roads and through beautiful Borders countryside, the Tour o’ the Borders will take you round a loop of the best the scenery that southern Scotland has to offer.

The event starts and finishes in the town of Peebles and covers an 88.8 km loop (or a 120 km figure of eight if you’re feeling up for the longer route) of unmatchable countryside.

The routes have been designed by local riders who know the roads like the backs of their hands, so you’ll certainly be in for a treat scenery-wise, and depending on your fitness levels, perhaps a bit of a shock for your legs. You can check out the beautifully presented route below.

Entry is a flat £58 whether you’ve chosen the longer route or the shorter one.