Suffolk Roubaix

Suffolk Roubaix – Southwold, United Kingdom

• Date: 26th April 2026
• Location: Southwold Common, York Road, IP18 6TB, United Kingdom
• Distances: 100 miles, 75 miles, 50 miles, 25 miles
• Event Type: Sportive with optional gravel sectors

The Suffolk Roubaix offers a unique early-season challenge, a sportive that blends quiet tarmac with optional off-road sectors. This is a classic gravel event in the UK, set against the backdrop of the county's rolling heathlands and coastline. Riders can choose their own adventure, sticking to the smooth, fully signposted roads or diverting onto the rougher bridleways and tracks that give the event its distinctive character, inspired by the cobbled races of Northern France.

Starting and finishing at Southwold Common, the event provides four distinct routes to suit a range of ambitions and fitness levels. Distances of 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles are on offer, allowing riders to test their legs for the first time in the season or push for their first century of the year. Each course is carefully plotted and marked, with GPX files also provided for digital navigation, ensuring a seamless experience on the day.

The character of this gravel event in the UK is defined by its variety. The routes wind south from Southwold, navigating a network of quiet B-roads and country back lanes that showcase the region's scenery. The optional 'Roubaix sectors' introduce a different texture, with bridleways and farm tracks that reward those on wider tyres. These sections are always accompanied by a signposted road alternative, ensuring riders on any bike can find their rhythm.

While a gravel or road bike with at least 32mm tyres is recommended for those wishing to tackle the off-road sectors, the event welcomes all types of bikes. The atmosphere is inclusive, with e-bikes, tandems, and hand-cycles all welcome on the road portions. This Suffolk sportive is designed as a personal challenge against the elements and the terrain, where the weather can famously shift through four seasons in an hour.

The event village at Southwold Common serves as the hub for the day, open from early morning until the final riders return. Here, a sense of community is fostered, with mechanical support available to keep everyone rolling. The ride is more about the journey than the clock, a chance to soak in the quiet landscapes of the Suffolk coast and its charming villages, from Dunwich to Tunstall Forest, depending on your chosen distance.

As an early-season sportive, the Suffolk Roubaix presents a perfect opportunity to gauge your form while experiencing the unique blend of surfaces that makes this ride so memorable. It’s a day to embrace the grit and the views in equal measure. All routes are fully supported with drink stops run by volunteers. For complete details and registration, please refer to the official event website.