Haldon Heroic

Question 1

What is your withdrawal & refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Question 2

When will I receive further information about the event?

Accepted Answer

The detailed race information including maps, details on parking, registration, baggage and start times will be e-mailed out to participants the Tuesday before the event. This sometimes ends up in junk mail so please keep an eye out for it! You can also find it on the relevant event page under Race Manual. See full list of events here

Question 3

Are ebikes allowed to be used at your events?

Accepted Answer

We allow ebikes at all our cycling events, except for the Exeter Gravel Races which are classified as races under British Cycling rules. ebikes are also allowed at all our triathlon and aquabike events as we are keen to make our events as inclusive as possible. We just ask you to let us know that you are riding an ebike.

Question 4

How do I make changes to my booking? eg changing event, changing distance or adding a camping option?

Accepted Answer

The best way is to click the link in the confirmation email you received. There are then options to 'add items to booking', to change your booking or to transfer your entry to another person. There is an £8 admin fee to change to a different event plus any difference in price

Question 5

How environmentally friendly are you?

Accepted Answer

We’re doing our best to minimise our environmental impact. and use of single use plastics. Initiatives include encouraging people to bring their own cups, offering tree planting as an alternative to tshirts, using only reusable zip ties & giving discounts to participants who make their way to events on foot, bike or public transport. Read the Sustainability & Reducing Plastics Use article on our website for the full programme,

Question 6

How do I use Klarna to spread the cost of entering an event over three interest free payments?

Accepted Answer

Klarna is now enabled for all our events. Fill in the registration form and then click the dark blue 'Pay in Full' button. On the next screen select 'Pay another Way' & you'll see the Klarna option.

Question 7

Do you offer Loyalty Points?

Accepted Answer

We now have a loyalty points system at Sportiva Events to reward people who take part in lots of our events. You accrue a point for each £1 you spend on events with us. Points can be swapped for Event Gift Vouchers at any time as follows

100 points £10
150 points £20
250 points £35
350 points £50
400 points £60

We also have double points on selected events. Unless otherwise stated points are turned off two or three weeks before the event date to encourage people to enter in good time. More details here

Question 8

Will there be timing chips

Accepted Answer

Yes, we use disposable timing chips are mounted on the back of your race numbers. These need to be attached, preferably using safety pins, to the front of your body above your waist. Please do not cover them with other clothing. If you attach them to your leg or back we cannot guarantee we will be able to detect your chip and you therefore may not receive a time.

Question 9

Are your gravel events fully marked?

Accepted Answer

For the Haldon Heroic the shorter Micro route, which also has the trickiest navigation, is fully marked, the longer routes are largely self nav. using the accurate GPX files supplied

For Devon Grit, again we mark the shortest Mini Route on Woodbury Common which multiple paths close to each other & is the trickiest section to navigate. The longer routes largely use the accurate GPX files supplied, though we do place a few arrows at confusing junctions.

The longer routes at Cornwall Grit are fully self nav.

Fully marking off-road routes is extremely time consuming & very prone to tampering. As the vast majority of regular gravel riders now have Garmin or similar head units, self nav makes more sense. It also means if you do go off course you realise within a few metres. The alternative, where someone has removed or turned an arrow, is that people can go miles off course before they realise.

The Devon Gravel races are on a closed circuit and are fully marked out with arrows and tape.

Question 10

Do I need a gravel bike for your gravel events?

Accepted Answer

Definitely not. A mountain bike or a CX (cyclo-cross) bike will be almost as quick. The only thing we stipulate is that you use tyres that are at least 33mm wide & we recommend 38mm+. ebikes are also welcome.

Question 11

Where can I find the Race Manuals for your events?

Accepted Answer

Race manual are now on the individual event pages. Please note that Race Manuals may be updated until the week before the event. See our full list of events here

Question 12

Can I wear headphones during your events?

Accepted Answer

Over ear or in ear headphones or pods are not allowed at any of our events. We do allow bone conducting type headphones, such as Shokz, at all events except triathlons, duathlons and open water swims. They should be set at a lower enough volume so you can hear instructions from marshals and the traffic around you.

Question 13

Are there age restrictions on your sportives?

Accepted Answer

You need to be 16 by 31st December in the year of the event to take part in any of the sportives unaccompanied. We do allow younger children to take part accompanied by an adult.

Question 14

I think I ordered my pack by post but haven't received it?

Accepted Answer

We normally post these out on the Friday nine days before the event, so they should arrive by the Tuesday before the event. In the meantime you can read all the relevant information about the event including maps & the Race Manual on the event page. Click here for the full list of events.
If you're not sure if you ordered your pack by post, please log into your account, using the link in your confirmation email. Then go to the relevant booking & if you ordered pack by post you will see it listed in 'Purchases' with other products you've ordered, such as camping or a race belt.

Question 15

What bike do you recommend for your gravel events?

Accepted Answer

For all our gravel events we believe a gravel bike will be quickest. If top professionals such as Tom Pidcock or Matthieu Van der Poel were racing these courses they would definitely be on gravel bikes & probably running tyres in the 45-50mm range. Less experienced or skilled riders will probably find a mountain bike easier & more comfortable. The 'gravel' in Devon & Cornwall is very mixed. Yes there is some perfect 'Champagne gravel' but also a lot of more mixed terrain including rocks, pebbles & sand.

Sportiva Events

Haldon Heroic

Haldon Heroic

Organiser Details

4.6/5