The Ram Sportive 68 Miles – Yorkshire Cycling

The Ram Sportive is a brilliant day out riding along remote Roman roads that pass between the famous 3 giant peaks of Ingleborough, Pen Y Gent and Whernside – quiet lanes are followed throughout your journey – and the hidden gem of Barbondale offers some of the best scenery and cycling The Dales has to offer.

Great sportive. Well organised, breath-taking scenery, clearly signed route, perfectly placed feed station, superb photos and, most importantly of all, cheerful marshals’ & Top Dog Team.

Distance
110.2 km / 68.3 miles

Ascent –
1063 m / 3487 ft

Event HQ –
3-1-5 Health Club – Lancaster – LA1 3PE (M6 junc 34)

Your day starts on The Lune River pathway and you ride a short way alongside the River Lune before leaving the cycleway for the quite lanes that lead to The Dales.
Your route then crosses the main Skipton / Kendal road to pass through the remote villages of Austwick and Horton in Ribblesdale – and you now ride among the giant peaks of Ingleborough, Pen Y Gent and Whernside that make up the notorious “3 Peaks Challenge”.

The famous Ribblehead Viaduct (as seen in Harry Potter) is glanced shortly before leaving the “main” road and descending into Dentdale and a stunning viaduct – below which will be your chance to refuel at our well stocked feed station.

Then its on to Dent village and its cobbled streets, a chance to park your bike, visit the loos, stretch your legs and maybe buy a hot drink and cake from one of the nearby local cafes.

Go easy though – as your route soon soon turns and steeply climbs up Gawthrop towards the hidden gem that is Barbondale – a big favourite with most of the Top Dog Team – just remember that what goes up must come down !!

Soon enough you arrive at the famous Devils Bridge near Kirkby Lonsdale (count the bikers)

After a short section of A road, you turn left to follow narrow, undulating traffic free lanes away from Kirkby Lonsdale and then more country lanes lead you back towards the Lancaster area – with one last ascent to give memorable views over Morecambe Bay and the Cumbrian Fells

free secure parking on tarmac
rider numbers posted to participants – no queuing for registration
on site toilets
mechanical support en route
professional medical support – by paramedics in a fully equipped ambulance
qualified remote area 1st aiders en route
100% way marked course
GPX files of each route sent out with event day information e mail in week before the event
quiet roads and lanes throughout
British Cycling Public Liability insurance cover
1 x well stocked feed station en route
friendly marshals and helpers
free to download event photographs
riders times published online post event
broom wagons to retrieve broken bikes and riders
post ride goody bags, completion certificates, drinks and snacks
souvenir event medals available for purchase with online entry