​Farcycles is a cycling group with a difference. All event proceeds go to building sustainable, healthy and inclusive transport facilities in our region. By entering our sportive you'll be helping to support our projects, which last year included:

Now into its EIGHTH year, Le Tour de Farcycles (TdF) 2020 will take place on Saturday 11th July 2020.
THREE Groovy rides to choose from:  
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​NB: Distances in miles have been accurately measured: by a human. The RPM (rough pigeon miles) distances are also very useful - if you're a pigeon. 
  • The long player (33⅓ RPM) – 30 miles of rolling Cotswold countryside that is just enough to stretch someone looking for a first event. It is also the choice for regular cyclists to have a social meander through some of the region’s prettiest villages. The route is also perfect for families who would like to enjoy a day cycling together. MASS START: 10.30AM
  • The hit single (45 RPM) – 50 miles taking in some of our favourite country lanes. This is the perfect ride for cyclists who want to try a longer distance for the first time or who want a longer ride while still having enough energy for lunch afterwards. MASS START: 9.30AM
  • The vinyl countdown (78 RPM) – 80 miles taking in some hillier terrain that will stretch regular cyclists with a big hill or two, while still enjoying the archetypal Cotswold scenery. Back in time for lunch to relive you epic ride with your cycling buddies. MASS START: 8AM

Everyone gets lunch at the finish in a private courtyard so that they can share experiences. Staggered start times (78RPM=8am,  45RPM=9.30am, 33.3RPM=10.30am ) are designed to get the leaders of all three rides to the finish time at roughly the same time, which means some of that sharing can take place in during the finishing stages of cycling.
The event has become popular among cyclists of all abilities and is particularly enjoyed by families and younger cyclists, who are encouraged to take part.
The routes are signposted with our unique pink TdF signs. Broom wagons will be on hand but, happily, haven’t been too taxed in previous years. Sportive riders are accustomed to mending their own punctures. GPS files are provided to all entrants with their welcome packs a few days before the event.
All proceeds go to building sustainable, healthy and inclusive transport facilities in our region.
The event has received plenty of positive feedback every year since its inception in 2013. Perhaps the greatest accolade is that the same people keep coming back. Indeed, after the 2014 event, which suffered from unseasonably monsoon-like weather, many participants said they’d enjoyed the route in the rain so much that they were dying to come back again to see it in better weather!

Here is a taste of a few old school accolades:
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 “I have done a lot of sportives over many years and this was the best”

“Thank you very much for a fantastically well organised event.  Everything about it was brilliant! … Here’s to next year!”

Hilary, an out-of-town contestant, who wrote: “I just wanted to say thank you.  It is the first time that I have done a cycle ride, and I really enjoyed it.  Beautiful countryside, despite the weather!  The work that goes into organising anything like this is huge and I can't tell you how much I appreciated the delicious cakes at the stop and the pasta at the end.  I look forward to next year.”

The popularity of the TdF’s routes stems from the fact that they are chosen from our back yard favourites that we, the Farcycles (pronounced Farcicals), cycle frequently. Of course, we are most fortunate that our back yard takes in the incomparable Downland scenery and Cotswold hills.