6 last minute cycling events - Ride with Francesco Moser

Your next fortnight in cycling is set to be busy. Well, it will be if the RideCatcher has anything to do with it.

Six amazing cylcing opportunities for cyclists of all ablilites lie waiting for you in this collection of UK cycling events, courtesy of our dilligent RideCatcher.

Your options start in Otley, in West Yorkshire, this weekend. Whizza round the country roads and tackle nearly 2km of climbing. Alternatively, you could wait until next weekend and take a mosey around the roads Essex has to offer with the Italian cycling legend Francesco Moser.

Or perhaps you're already warming up (or cooling down) to the idea of cyclo cross season. If that's your gig, how about flying through Galloway Forest Park in Dunfries, Scotland?

This weekend:

Saturday September 12
Otley Sportive 2015
Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2BB

Image CC licensed via James Whitesmith on Flickr

Back for its fifth year, and with the same 1830m of climbing that the West Yorkshire ride tackled last year, the Otley Sportive is set to be a great, well priced ride out over some of the country's most beautiful roads.

The short route of 64km takes off at 10:30, and will cost £16 to enter online, or £20 on the day. The longer 112km route shoots off an hour earlier at 9.30 and will cost £19 online, or £30 on the day.

Sign up via the British Cycling Website.

Sunday September 13
Bike Oxford
Cherwell School, Marston Ferry Rd, Oxford OX2 7EE

Bike Oxford is upon us, completing the annual pair of stella South West sportives with Bike Bath. There are rides on offer for all abilities are available topping out at a 128km stunner, which will cost £35 for on-the-day entry.

There are shorter rides for those who haven't quite got the legs, including an 80km route and a 32km route. The longer of the two will cost the same as the 128km ride (£35), however the 32km route will only cost £20 on the day.

Children who want to come along will be charged the reduce price of £12.

Sunday September 13
Sky Ride York
Clifford's Tower, Tower St, York, North Yorkshire YO1 9SA

This week's city to recieve the Sky Ride treatment is York. Not only are they bringing closed-road cycling to the quiet city's streets where cyclists of all abilities and confidence levels can ride in a relaxed and beautiful environemnt, there bringing a full-on festival of cycling.

Expect Rollapaluza custom-built roller battles, cycling stores galore, food, music and a free drink from the Rebel Kitchen Mylk Stop.

Once you've registered you'll be eligable for a free expert bike check at Halfords and you’ll also be able to collect a free Sky Ride reflective bib on the day.

Next weekend:

Saturday September 19
Cambrian Coast Sportive
Dovey Yacht Club, Aberdovey, Wales LL35 0EB

Quick! Not only is there only a week and a half before one of the most beautiful sportives in the country gets rolling, there are also only 45 places left (at the time of writing).

Starting from Aberdovey this stunning sportive will take you along North Wales coastal roads, over mountains, around lakes and through forests.

There three routes from which you can choose cover 50km, 100km, 144km, or a 163km, and are named and priced accordingly.

The shortest route, aptly named the Fun Route will cost £21 to enter. The Standard Route, the Long Route, and the Big Dog - going in ascending order of length and difficulty - will cost £29, £32, and £32 to enter respectively.

You can book your place over on the Welsh Cycling Events website.

Sunday September 20
Galloway Gallop Adventure Cross 2015
Kirroughtree MTB Centre, Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries, DG8 7BE

With September comes the start of cyclo cross season. And this one looks to be something special. A wilderness adventure through the wild Galloway Forest Park in South West Scotland will play host to a ride that's just as suitable for cross bikes as it is hardtail mountain bikes.

The choice of a 68km ride or a 108km ride over around lochs and through valleys is yours. You can book your place over at bookmyride.co.uk and the price per rider will be £25 for the 68km ride, and £35 for the 108km route.

Sunday September 20
Moser Sportive GB
Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS3 9SG

Here's your chance to ride with a bit of a legend. Giro d'Italia winner in 1984 and World Road Race champion in 1977, Italian cyclist Francesco Moser has done a lot - but riding through the Essex countryside is still on his list.

A ticket to ride with the former pro on the 11km route will cost you £45, and can be done via the British Cycling website.

While the event starts in the pancake-flat seaside town of Southend-on-Sea it does venture into some of Essex's rare rolling country lanes, including the notorious climb of North Hill in Baddow.

The main man appears to be looking forward to the event and is quoted on the website saying: “I think it will be a lot of fun. I have very happy memories of racing in England back in the 1980s, when I took part in some rounds of the Kellogg’s City Centre Cycling Series."