The last sportive in
Rutland trashed our little county, nearly 900 riders doing three different routes so not very easy to avoid either and many of the roads are single track. After last years sportive with large numbers of riders running red lights in Oakham we can now expect less respect on the roads from non cyclists. No one went around after and picked up the gel wrappers and discarded, broken sunglasses or even some of the directional signs. As for cycling etiquette, what a joke, I'll bet the majority wouldn't know the meaning. Like minded people, really? Some were there to "race", some just to get round, others because their mates were doing it, and no doubt some for the scenery etc etc.
The majority of those riding were aged late 30's to early 50's and less than 10% were women, in fact on the longer ride only 6% were female which is less than one would expect [too much testosterone?]. I spoke to one club rider I knew after the event who simply said, "never again".
If you have a peculiar desire to pay 50p or more per mile to ride your bike I don't have a problem with that, up to you, what I do object to is the poor / aggressive riding that goes along with it, that and the huge numbers. The profits are huge, £25 - 30,000 in entry fees.