London to Paris 24

[LotusMartin]

I really fancy this - and need a new challenge, are there any supported rides out there which are non-charity raising? I just want to pay and go, and not beg my friends for cash.

[anonymous-user]

Dig deep and pay up? People have learnt not to approach me for sponsorship requests to climb Kilimanjiro or trek to Machu Pichu!

[DrMekon]

Depends what you mean by support. If you mean somewhere to eat and sleep en route, yes, loads. Enter an audax. They cost next to nothing compared to sportives. If you mean someone to pick you up if it all goes south, I wouldn't know. The gaps between sportives and audax is narrowing all the time, IMO. Certainly on the big audax events, the support can surpass that of sportives. Of course, there are plenty of bare bones x-rated audax out there where you meet in a carpark, ride several hundred km picking up receipts from cafes, and meet back at a village hall for value tomato soup. And the world is a better place for their continued existence.

Here's a list of 400km+ events over the next year or so. Read the descriptions to get a feel for the level of support

http://www.aukweb.net/events/?From=26%2F11%2F2013&...

Doing the Bryan Chapman would be an experience
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-195/

Rapha did a homage recently
http://vimeo.com/65385422

[LotusMartin]

I'm looking for something with organised food stops, mechanics/medics and preferably return transport. It doesn't necessarily need to be London to Paris, but something more than the usual 100-130 mile a day sportive (I did the London - Edinburgh 4 day event this year.)

I too am bored of people asking me for money for a 55 mile London to brighton ride which I did when I was 10!

[The Walrus]

LotusMartin said:

I too am bored of people asking me for money for a 55 mile London to brighton ride which I did when I was 10!

In that case tell them you will only sponsor them if they next a pint at every pub on route and complete it in sub 3 hours !!!

You may not recall but you will exceed 10 plus pints which will make it interesting and more of a challenge.

I appreciate this does not help you in the slightest but this is Pistonheads after all !!

[anonymous-user]

I joined the Bristol Audax club at the weekend. Like you I grew bored of the 100 mile sportive (though I still enjoy them greatly) I wanted something longer and more challenging so I thought I'd join them. I'm sure they wil lgrow to love the abundance of carbon and double chainsets in time!