The Tour de Moor sportive starts and finishes in Cleator Moor, west Cumbria on Sunday September 21.
This short sportive with a distance of 30-miles is a follow on to the inaugural Valleys of Copeland sportive held in the area in June of this year where 100 riders took part.
Although many sportive rides transit through the western edge of the Lake District very few start and finish there.
The Tour de Moor was launched with the support of the local borough council and has been sponsored by the Nuclear Management Partners (NMP) and Cleator Moor Town Council.
Organisers expected an attendance of around 50 riders due to the shorter distance but the sportive has proved to be far more popular than anticipated as current entries stand at over 150 riders, with riders travelling from all over the north west of England to take part.
Although short the ride take some of the most scenic areas within the western Lake District including the Ennerdale Valley and with three short but steep climbs – including Cauda Brow used by many cyclists locally for training due to the switch backs it has - there is something there for riders of all abilities.
As a result of the success of the Valleys of Copeland sportive, NMP have agreed to sponsor a number of cycling events in the area throughout 2015 which will include:
April – The St Bees RNLI 50 sportive
July – The Valleys of Copeland Sportive
September – The Tour de Moor
Gary McKeating, NMP head of socio economics, said:
“Nuclear Management Partners is delighted to support the host of cycling events held in Copeland this year. We hope our sponsorship will enable the many fantastic volunteers to attract as many people from near and far and of all abilities to compete on what is one of the worlds most picturesque sporting stages. The spirit of the participants is amazing and they give their all knowing they are helping to support local charities in west Cumbria.”
The sportives are organised by a group of local volunteers working on a non profit making basis. Remaining money from entry fees is donated to local charities including Danicas Dreamfund which offers support to children and families affected by cancer.
