CTC, the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation, are organising a series of sportive challenge rides for 2011.

The five event series includes two established events as well as three new courses throughout England.

“We want to take existing challenge rides like the Ron Kitching and Phil Liggett, make them better and also compliment them with other rides around the country,” said CTC business development manager John Storms.

“The new routes have been carefully chosen to be near areas where we have a strong CTC membership and we to give these areas a chance to show other groups and non-members why these areas are so popular with cyclists.”

Organised by Wheels in Wheels Events, the series kicks off with a new event on February 27 in Blandford Forum, Dorset, taking in the Jurassic Coast, before the series heads to Guildford on May 29.

The Ron Kitching ride on June 25 will get a makeover and a tweaked route before the return of the long-established Phil Liggett ride, which includes the infamous climb of Holme Moss, in the Peak District on August 7. The final event takes in the Malverns’ best climbs on October 16.

Each event will have a choice of 100km or 150km routes, apart from Dorset which will be shorter.

Each event will have full sportive level organisation and infrastructure, including traditional café Stops, sports nutrition feed zones, electronic timing, mechanical back-up, motorbike outriders and mechanics and a broom wagon. Food will also be served after each event.

Entries can be made online via www.ctc.org.uk/challengerides or by post and all events cost £17 for CTC members, £27 for non-members and £60 for teams of four.

Full 2011 dates

Feb 27 – Dorset CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive (Blandford)

May 29 – Guildford CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive (Guildford)

Jun 25 – Ron Kitching CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive (York)

Aug 7 – Phil Liggett CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive (Sheffield)

Oct 16 – Worcester CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive (Worcestershire)