British Cycling Grading
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Event Summary
Event Overview
In 2010, Christian and Niggy went out for a ride like we all do. But this time, they didn’t come home. We organised the Team Townend Challenge in their memory, to bring friends, family and cyclists together to raise funds for our chosen charity. All proceeds from the event go to charity and over the last 14 years we have raised close to £100,000. To read more about the charity donations and how they are used, please visit teamtownend.org
Based in the northern Lake District, we have a number of hills and steep roads to play with to give you a choice of three 'Sportive' road routes and a 'gravel' route, returning after its successful introduction last year.
We are offering an early entry discount price of £24 (plus £1 BC handling fee) until 13th June 2025.
The Classic 22 miles 2361ft climbing
Suitable for new, young, old or experienced riders, the Short One is no walk in the park but will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2021326192
The Challenge 40 miles, 4582ft climbing
The classic Long One has the best riders gritting their teeth with no fewer than 4 seriously steep Lakeland Passes to contend with. Grange feed stop is legendary.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2021329546
The Dirty Double 66 miles, 7676ft climbing
If the Long One just isn't tough enough, the Dirty Double sends you over two more passes. That's a six of the Lakes best passes in 66 miles. Earn those cakes.
https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2672146213
The Gravel Grovel About 40 miles, Quite a lot of climbing - at least 5000ft / 1500m
A mega gravel route covering the terrain that Christian, Niggy and the Team Townend crew used to ride back in the day on fully rigid mountain bikes. We'll take you round some of the best Lake District gravel - varying from well maintained forest roads to muddy paths and rocky tracks. It might not be the length of Unbound or the Dirty Reiver but it has a bit of everything and is no mean feat. You are going to need some bike handling skills, so if you've never ridden off road it might be worth getting some practice in!
The Gravel Grovel is a self-navigated adventure style route. There will be no signage on this route. You will need to download the GPX track and upload to a suitable bike GPS or mobile device to find your way around the route. Paper copies of the route will also be provided at registration.
Event Details
- Event URN:
556496
- Start Date:
Sat, 13th Sep 2025
- Event Type:
-
Cycle Sportive (Non-Competitive)
- Venue:
-
Loweswater Village Hall, Loweswater, Tallentire, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0RU
View map - Cheques payable to:
See Event Website
- Online Entry FAQs
- Event Website:
- Event Organiser:
-
Simon Farrell
teamtownendchallenge@gmail.com - British Cycling Grading:
This event has been graded using data collected by Map My Ride
- Online entry method:
-
First come first served
Enter Online
About the Event
Info for Riders
Registration
Registration opens at 8am at Loweswater Village Hall. As you have registered on-line all you will need to do is pick up your number board, mini route card with SOS numbers. Please fit the number board to the front of your bike.
Start
You are able to start anytime between 9.00am and 10.30am. We encourage staggered starting with those doing the longer routes / likely to take a longer longest time to start as early as possible.
Refreshments
There is a "Moira's cakes" refreshment stop at Grange for those riding the Challenge or Dirty Double. Over the years, these cakes have got quite a reputation! Classic riders can grab an emergency banana or water top up at Buttermere.
Once you have finished, you can help yourself to some tea, coffee, sandwiches and cake inside the hall.
Entry Fees & Rides
Enter a Ride
|
Team Townend Challenge - 22 miles - The Classic
Ride
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 35km / 22 miles | 25 | 50 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 25 | Est. Field Size: 50
1 laps / 35km / 22 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Team Townend Challenge - 40 miles - The Challenge
Ride
|
||||
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | 89 | 125 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 89 | Est. Field Size: 125
1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Team Townend Challenge - 66 miles - The Dirty Double
Ride
|
||||
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 106km / 66 miles | 248 | 125 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 248 | Est. Field Size: 125
1 laps / 106km / 66 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Team Townend Challenge - The Gravel Grovel
Ride
|
||||
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | 97 | 50 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 97 | Est. Field Size: 50
1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
Event Summary
Event Overview
In 2010, Christian and Niggy went out for a ride like we all do. But this time, they didn’t come home. We organised the Team Townend Challenge in their memory, to bring friends, family and cyclists together to raise funds for our chosen charity. All proceeds from the event go to charity and over the last 14 years we have raised close to £100,000. To read more about the charity donations and how they are used, please visit teamtownend.org
Based in the northern Lake District, we have a number of hills and steep roads to play with to give you a choice of three 'Sportive' road routes and a 'gravel' route, returning after its successful introduction last year.
We are offering an early entry discount price of £24 (plus £1 BC handling fee) until 13th June 2025.
The Classic 22 miles 2361ft climbing
Suitable for new, young, old or experienced riders, the Short One is no walk in the park but will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2021326192
The Challenge 40 miles, 4582ft climbing
The classic Long One has the best riders gritting their teeth with no fewer than 4 seriously steep Lakeland Passes to contend with. Grange feed stop is legendary.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2021329546
The Dirty Double 66 miles, 7676ft climbing
If the Long One just isn't tough enough, the Dirty Double sends you over two more passes. That's a six of the Lakes best passes in 66 miles. Earn those cakes.
https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2672146213
The Gravel Grovel About 40 miles, Quite a lot of climbing - at least 5000ft / 1500m
A mega gravel route covering the terrain that Christian, Niggy and the Team Townend crew used to ride back in the day on fully rigid mountain bikes. We'll take you round some of the best Lake District gravel - varying from well maintained forest roads to muddy paths and rocky tracks. It might not be the length of Unbound or the Dirty Reiver but it has a bit of everything and is no mean feat. You are going to need some bike handling skills, so if you've never ridden off road it might be worth getting some practice in!
The Gravel Grovel is a self-navigated adventure style route. There will be no signage on this route. You will need to download the GPX track and upload to a suitable bike GPS or mobile device to find your way around the route. Paper copies of the route will also be provided at registration.
Event Details
- Event URN:
556496
- Start Date:
Sat, 13th Sep 2025
- Event Type:
-
Cycle Sportive (Non-Competitive)
- Venue:
-
Loweswater Village Hall, Loweswater, Tallentire, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0RU
View map - Cheques payable to:
See Event Website
- Online Entry FAQs
- Event Website:
- Event Organiser:
-
Simon Farrell
teamtownendchallenge@gmail.com - British Cycling Grading:
This event has been graded using data collected by Map My Ride
- Online entry method:
-
First come first served
Enter Online
About the Event
Info for Riders
Registration
Registration opens at 8am at Loweswater Village Hall. As you have registered on-line all you will need to do is pick up your number board, mini route card with SOS numbers. Please fit the number board to the front of your bike.
Start
You are able to start anytime between 9.00am and 10.30am. We encourage staggered starting with those doing the longer routes / likely to take a longer longest time to start as early as possible.
Refreshments
There is a "Moira's cakes" refreshment stop at Grange for those riding the Challenge or Dirty Double. Over the years, these cakes have got quite a reputation! Classic riders can grab an emergency banana or water top up at Buttermere.
Once you have finished, you can help yourself to some tea, coffee, sandwiches and cake inside the hall.
Entry Fees & Rides
Enter a Ride
|
Team Townend Challenge - 22 miles - The Classic
Ride
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 35km / 22 miles | 25 | 50 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 25 | Est. Field Size: 50
1 laps / 35km / 22 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Team Townend Challenge - 40 miles - The Challenge
Ride
|
||||
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | 89 | 125 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 89 | Est. Field Size: 125
1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Team Townend Challenge - 66 miles - The Dirty Double
Ride
|
||||
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 106km / 66 miles | 248 | 125 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 248 | Est. Field Size: 125
1 laps / 106km / 66 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Team Townend Challenge - The Gravel Grovel
Ride
|
||||
| Date | Start | Distance | BCG | Est. Field Size |
| Sat 13/09/25 | 09:00 | 1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | 97 | 50 |
|
Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
|
Sat 13/09/25 – 09:00
British Cycling Grading: 97 | Est. Field Size: 50
1 laps / 64km / 40 miles | Entry:
Online from: (£24.00 + £1.00 Application fee), Postal: (£27.50), On Day: (£32.50)
|
||||
British Cycling Grading
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
British Cycling Grading
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
