A 1,000K ride I am planing to ride . . . will start and stop over three legs at the same spot with hotels within reach:
But this 'looping' business means you're not really going anywhere so loose out on the adventure the four 1000 kilometre rides in UK this year all offer (Mille Pennines gives you a double C2C).
That sounds unfair. All these rides are looping, it's just a matter of how many loops.
On reflection, you're right: my comments were too harsh. Any 1000km ride is an adventure. ETA: But if you're returning to the start twice during the ride, it is less of an adventure. Loops in the four UK 2018 thousands are from a 'remote' control.
The four in UK this year have all been designed to allow 2 (Mille Pennines 3) stops at the same place, which is not the start or the arrivee:
West Highlands starts at 2000: 456k to Oban (via (almost the Mull of) Kintyre), 280k over to (ferry) and round Sunart, Moidart and Loch Eilt/Eil and back to Oban, and 270k to finish off via Perth.
ACME Grand starts at 1100: 426k to Barry, 216k through and north of the valleys and back to Barry, and 418 to finish (with a stop somewhere).
Mille Pennines starts at 1100: 250k round/through the Lakes to Sedbergh, 347k across the Pennines to Scotland and back, 337k across the North York Moors (twice) and back to Sedbergh, and 78k to finish.
Mille Cymru 3 starts at 0800: 303k to Llanwrtyd Wells, 324k to St David's/Broad Haven and back, 313k north to Snowdonia thence to Vrynwy, and 72k to finish.