Entries for the 2011 Southern Sportive series will open on December 1.

Among the highlights are a pre-season Sportive Pulse event on March 13 to help hone your performance before the traditional season-opening Princes Risborough Sunday Sportive on April 17. Now in its fifth year, the Princes Risborough has sold out on the last four occasions, drawing a record 700 riders in 2010.

“Risborough was a big surprise for us in the early days” said Phil from Southern Sportive. “It wasn’t targeted as one of our major events, but it’s clearly hit the right note for an early season ride.

“Every year now is a process of reviewing the event capacity and working out a manageable way to cater for some of the excess demand we end up turning away each year.”

Meanwhile, the 100-mile Great Western Sportive returns in June, while September sees the sixth outing for the renowned 1500-rider Southern Sportive. The original South Downs sportive draws riders back year-after-year to take on one of the most rewarding courses on the calendar.

For more details and to enter – from December 1 – visit southernsportive.com or call 0118 988 6041.

Full Southern Sportive Calendar

March 13 – Sportive Pulse, Duncton (South Downs)
April 17 – Princes Risborough Sunday Sportive
May 15 – Duncton Sunday Sportive
June 19 – Great Western Sportive (Swindon, Marlborough Downs)
July 3 – Reigate Sunday Sportive
August 14 – Woodcote Sunday Sportive (South Chilterns)
September 11 – The Southern Sportive (Petersfield)
October 9 – New location (to be announced)