Best for: Experienced riders who want to enjoy a taste of the pro’s life and your first European sportive

Highlights: Running for over 20 years, La Marmotte is billed as the ‘daddy of all sportives’ and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. With a route containing almost 5000m of climbing on closed roads through the French Alps, you’ll get a true taste of cycling on the continent.

NB: Be warned there’s a rather major event taking place back on our fair shores the same weekend, it’s one you may not want to miss.

Location: Bourg d’Oisans (France)

Date: 5 July 2014

Distance: 108 miles

More info: sportcommunication.info