Plenty of sportive newbies set off on the year’s final Try a Sportive, taking place from Thornbridge near the quaint Peak District village of Great Longstone.

The British Cycling registered series is a great way for anyone new to cycling events to come along and have a go at an event that provides all the experience of a full blown sportive but over shorter, more manageable distances.

Low lying valley fog made for a chilly start as riders rode out on a choice of an 18 or 34-mile circuit of the Derbyshire dales and Staffordshire moorlands.

Even a route designed for first timers doesn’t mean we shy away from the hills and the first test for the riders was the long slog out of the market town of Bakewell up to the idyllic village of Over Haddon.

The climb did little to dampen the spirits of the riders as they reached the split point and feed-station at Monyash.

From here riders of the short route had a relatively easy seven mile run back to the finish line.

The riders of the long route however, had to deal with the much hillier seventeen mile loop across to Hartington, Sheen and Earl Sterndale before they could begin the return leg back to Thornbridge from Monyash.

Rider times for the event can be found here.

Big thanks to all that took part, the series will be back in the spring so keep your eye out on www.darkwhitecycling.co.uk for more information or like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.