There were two routes on offer at this brand new sportive on May 6: one 35 miles long and the other 70. Both started at Norwich City's Carrow Road stadium, but they were thoughtfully staggered by two hours so the bulk of riders crossed the finish line together.  Those who opted for the longer course left Norwich for Walcott on the Norfolk coast, followed the beach round to Cromer and turned back for the final leg towards the city. For much of the morning we were on wide and flat Norfolk A-roads, unhindered by sharp corners, so the pace tended to drift quite high. It's a picturesque part of the world but inevitably you see little more than a collection of back wheels.  Costs at the event were kept low - the entry fee of £10 (or £7 for the shorter route) is tiny compared to some of the more established sportives in the UK - so there were no closed roads. But the route was well marked throughout and marshalls were stationed on all the tricky junctions. Similarly back-to-basics, the single food stop was a village hall offering a glass of squash and a banana.  The 35-mile option was a more relaxed affair, heading east from Norwich and looping back after skimming the Broads at Wroxham. The inclusion of a shorter course was a great way to make the day enjoyable for all-comers. You certainly don't need to come dressed head-to-toe in Lycra and wheeling the latest in carbon fibre trickery to enjoy a sportive, but starting with a shorter distance is wise.  This is one of the newest sportives on the calendar, but hopefully it will become a regular and retain its grassroots charm. If you're looking for a slightly more relaxed event - in terms of organisation, if not pace - then next year's Cycle Swarm is already open for registration. The start/finish is a stone's throw from the train station so it's an easy one to travel to, and at £10 it's a bargain.
New amateur cycling events spring up all the time, with no shortage of riders   to fill them. This week saw the inaugural Cycle Swarm - a cheap and cheerful   grassroots event in Norfolk.