The fourth running of the annual Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge, a two day, 144 mile ride around the stunning Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route, with a maximum of 175 entries allowed this year, the event has already attracted 120 riders for the weekend of July 12-13.
Starting and finishing at Norton College just outside Malton, cyclists cover 73 miles each day, at their own pace and with the halfway overnight camp at Hutton Cranswick Sports Centre. Here riders will enjoy a well-earned rest, taking in the barbecue, licensed bar with Wold Top real ale and live music!
The event is extremely well organised and full medical and mechanical support is provided together with secure parking at the start/finish, luggage transfer to the halfway camp, and designated refreshment points along the way.
This year the Challenge will for the very first time tackle the route in the opposite direction - anti-clockwise! The fantastic 146 mile circular route, which was developed and launched by Sustrans in 2011 and is now part of the British Cycle Network, was originally designed and signposted to be cycled in both directions but for the first three years the two day Challenge event stuck to the clockwise version of the circuit. Following many requests from cyclists who had entered the event previously, the decision was taken to reverse the route!
Event organiser Rob Davies (Funding Coordinator of Ryedale Special Families) commented: “After the incredibly successful event last year we received quite a few requests from people who had done it two or even all three times before, to try it in the opposite direction, so in true Tour de France style we decided to reverse the route! In fact I was ignorant to the fact that the Tour de France alternates between a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction each year, so we thought it fitting to make the change this year with the Tour starting in Yorkshire the previous weekend!
Three years since its launch, the event has become an extremely important contributor to our fundraising, having raised almost £40,000 since its launch in 2011.The money raised is a vital contribution to our continuing programme of offering care, support, activities and events, for over 400 families who have children with disabilities and/or special needs, throughout the Ryedale region. We’re looking to increase the number of entries this yearfrom 150 to 175 and by telling people about it early we hope it can become the perfect New Year’s resolution for anyone looking for a challenge in 2014.
We’re also delighted that our corporate sponsors have all agreed to continue with their support and would like to say a huge “thank you” to Bannister’s Farm, Big Bear Bikes, Escada Systems, Inntravel and Wold Top Brewery.”
The Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route is part of the National Cycle Network, a series of safe, traffic-free lanes and quiet on-road routes that connect to every major city and passes within a mile of 55 per cent of UK homes. It now stretches 14,000 miles across the length and breadth of the UK.
Sustrans developed the concept and coordinates the development of the National Cycle Network, working with Local Authorities, partner organisations and local volunteers to identify future routes and, in some cases, providing the funding to build extensions. Sustrans also works with partners to promote the National Cycle Network and has developed online mapping which shows all the routes, and produced maps which are available to purchase in our shop - www.sustrans.org.uk
Rupert Douglas, Sustrans Area Manager for North and East Yorkshire said: 'It's great to see the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route being used to encourage locals and visitors alike to very actively discover some lovely countryside and heritage, whilst benefiting local businesses and raising money for a good cause all at the same time.”
Entry fees are just £30, which includes luggage transfer to and from the halfway campsite, Saturday evening barbecue, Sunday morning breakfast, as well as full back-up and support along the way. In addition, cyclists are asked to commit to raising a further £50.00 in sponsorship by the time of the event in July. This year, an award will be made to the group which raises the highest amount of sponsorship and any individual raising £350.00 or more will receive a special commemorative T-Shirt!
Anyone interested in taking part in the Cycle Challenge can enter by clicking the enter button below:
Event Wesbite: www.yorkshirewoldscyclechallenge.org.uk
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