A longer sportive isn’t always a better sportive, or at least that’s the thinking behind the Compact 50, a new event set to take place in Surrey on August 5.

“By the name of this event you can work out what’s required – a compact chainset and 50 hard miles of riding. You wouldn’t want it any other way,” said the event organiser, Dudley Samuels.

“Sportives do not have to be 100 miles-plus to be enjoyable, they need to be challenging, and shorter distances can be great fun.”

With that in mind, the Compact 50, which starts and finishes in Cobham, is limited to 50 miles but with 4,402 feet of climbing over the half century route.

“This is not a picnic ride, with 13 per cent appearing on a number of occasions, plus 10 per cent, 14 per cent and 21 per cent on one climb,” added Samuels.

View the Garmin file here or enter online at www.purevelo.co.uk