Sportives involve huge groups of cyclists on open roads; time trials are individual efforts on closed roads; road races sit somewhere between the two.
The rules for road races can vary but generally competitors will set off en masse and take on a course that may be point-to-point or laps of a circuit, or potentially some combination of the two. Very simply, the winner is the first over the finish line!
These competitive cycling events are not reserved for experienced riders but do attract more seasoned cyclists thanks to their closed roads and incredible support from event management. If you're interested in seeing how far you can push yourself on two wheels, these events are going to be a great opportunity to find the answer.
Ranging across the UK and with various levels of ascent and technical difficulty, road races are an exciting addition to the cycling calendar and are well worth exploring.