Photo takeyourpics.co.uk

The 2008 Sunday Sportive Season bowed out in style last weekend as over 600 cyclists converged on Dunsfold Park for a weekend of on and off road cycling action.

Taking place at a venue made popular for being used by the BBC Top Gear show, Dunsfold saw 350 riders heading for the hills of North Downs in last weekends 124km sportive around the North Downs.

In only their second year, the Sunday Sportives have grown to attract over 300 riders per event, starting with a massive 450 rider field at Princes Risborough in April. Over the season, the events have showcased a variety of courses available in the south from the relentless sawtooth profiles of the Chilterns and North Downs and the big hills and flowing roads of the South Downs, to the wide open rollers of the Wiltshire and Oxfordshire plains and the picturesque lanes of the Kent and Sussex Weald.

September saw the season headlining Southern Sportive attract 1200 riders to the Hampshire and Sussex border. The whole Southern and Sunday Sportive season welcomed a full 4,000 riders throughout the year.

The 2009 season is already in planning, with the opening event at Princes Risborough booked for April 26th and the fourth Southern Sportive back in Petersfield on September 13th.

Organisers Trail Break don’t rest through the winter though, with a full program of off road trail rides and navigators (MTB orienteering events) offering some great training opportunities to those of you who swap over to the MTB or ‘cross bike for the season. November 8-9th marks the start of the winter events at Princes Risborough, while December 6th sees a fantastic fundraising fancy dress Xmas trail ride on the South Downs in aid of Save the Children, with further weekends running through the New Year.

The off-road rides are on sale now at trailbreak.co.uk and details of the 2009 Sunday Sportive season will be released over the Christmas and New Year period. For more information, visit www.southernsportive.com or call 0118 976 2491.