etape - The Cycling Co

White Rose Classic – Yorkshire Cycling

Welcome to the White Rose Classic 2022 – Ilkley Cycle Club is celebrating 10 years of running the event, the White Rose Classic is an established sportive taking you through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The event goes from strength to strength each year and to many is Yorkshire’s Premier Sportive.

In 2019 we teamed up with Nell Bank, (https://www.nellbank.org) which is the event HQ and is a perfect location for the start/finish line and post ride event village where riders can relax in peaceful surroundings.

We offer 3 routes to choose from:

– Short route via Grassington, enjoy the unique Yorkshire scenery and friendly camaraderie of a Club-run sportive.

– Medium route via Settle for those riders looking for a challenge.

– Long route via Hawes, for an authentic Yorkshire challenge with some serious climbing.

The event fee includes fully stocked feed stops, mechanical and medical support, in addition we provide a free post ride meal to each rider in the event village. There’s also beer on tap, fresh ice cream and we’ll bring back the live music. The easily accessible HQ facility also provides ample car and bike parking.

Once again, we are pleased to make road cycling more accessible to all. Don’t be intimidated: ride solo or with friends in a supportive environment where you can push yourself and help others.

The White Rose Classic is organised and run entirely by volunteers from Ilkley Cycling Club. All profits from the event go towards promoting grassroots cycling initiatives, local charities including Nell Bank and supporting our youth development programme, along with encouraging more men and women to ride bikes as per our club motto “From Recreation to Racing.”

ETape Caledonia – Scotland Cycling

The 2022 Etape Caledonia is the 15th year of this well known closed road sportive, which is open to up to 5,000 participants.

Credited as being the first closed roads sportive in the UK, the 85 mile route (134km) takes in the beauty of Perthshire through forest line roads and rolling hills and is a memorable day on a bike.

Starting and finishing in Pitlochry, the highlights of the route include the beautiful Lochs Tummel and Ranoch and the famous climb of Schiehallion. Total climbing on the 85 mile route is 1,630 metres (5,347 feet).

There is also a considerably less challenging 40 mile route, which avoids the climb of Schiehallion.

There is a strong charity fund raising element to the event with Marie Curie the most widely supported charity among Etape Caledonia participants.

The fastest recorded time for the 2018 Etape Caledonia was Jeremy Honor who completed in 3:40:13. 2,208 riders completed the 85 mile route while 339 completed the 40 mile route (winning time was Lukasz Olejnik in 2:00:04). The slowest time for the 85 mile route was 7:25:02.

Original Closed-Roads Sportive
Etape Caledonia is a closed-road ride taking place on Sunday 15 May 2022. With 5,000 places on offer each year, this sell-out event attracts riders from all over the country to take on one of the most breath-taking rides through the spectacular Scottish Highlands.

Take on either the 85 or 40 mile closed-road routes. The two Etape Caledonia routes take in the best of what the Highlands has to offer. Winding roads, tree-lined avenues, Lochs, mountains and everything in between.

ETAPE CALEDONIA 85 MILE
from £79.99
15 MAY
The UK’s Original Closed-road Sportive through the Scottish Highlands taking place on 15th May 2022. 85 miles of closed road cycling beginning in Pitlochry. The course consists of rolling hills and forest-lined roads around Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel, combined with the demanding, twisting climb of Mt Schiehallion.

ETAPE CALEDONIA 40 MILE
from £45
15 MAY
The UK’s Original Closed-road Sportive through the Scottish Highlands taking place on 15th May 2022. A 40 mile option of closed road cycling beginning in Pitlochry. The course brings in some challenges, but takes out the steep climb of Schiehallion.

Struggle Moors – Yorkshire Cycling

Struggle Moors is one of the UK’s hardest sportives in Yorkshire. Struggle Moors will next take place on 03 July 2022. Although this epic feat may feel frightful, with preparation, pacing and plenty of fuel it’s achievable for any aspiring road cyclist.

The event begins in the stunning setting of Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire and takes riders over 112 miles of challenging terrain among breathtaking Yorkshire Moors landscape.

The route has been dubbed as one of the hardest sportives in the UK, with riders continuing their training following Struggle Dales to take on this monster event. Cycling Weekly reviewed it as: “One of the best days out and something to aspire to.”

180 km (112 miles)

Struggle Moors is one of the UK’s hardest sportives in Yorkshire. Although this epic feat may feel frightful, with preparation, pacing and plenty of fuel it’s achievable for any aspiring road cyclist.

ABOUT STRUGGLE MOORS SPORTIVE
The event begins in the stunning setting of Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire, with accommodation at the start/finish, and takes riders over 180km of challenging terrain among breathtaking Yorkshire Moors landscape. New for 2019 is a 150km route, offering aspiring riders a taste of the epic ascents of the Yorkshire Moors.

The route has been dubbed as one of the hardest sportives in the UK, with riders continuing their training following Struggle Dales to take on this monster event.

THE ROUTE
180km Route

Struggle Moors sportive route is 112 miles long, taking in 10,193ft over five climbs set within the North Yorkshire Moors’ exposed, relentless but stunning landscape. Beware, there’s plenty of uncategorised climbs too!

150km Route

Struggle Moors now offers a challenging 95 mile route, ideal for aspiring riders keen to tackle the iconic ascents of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The new 150km route takes in 8,256ft still features Struggle Moors’ infamous climbs including Glaisedale Horror and Rosedale Chimney.

THE CLIMBS
Boltby Bank: Location: mile 15; Distance: 0.7 miles; Elevation gain: 527ft; Steepness: 13% avg.

Carlton Bank: Location: mile 35; Distance: 1.1 miles; Elevation gain: 624ft; Gradient: 10% avg.

Limber Hill: Location: mile 66; Distance: 0.2 miles; Elevation gain: 176ft; Gradient: 16% avg.

Cote de Grosmont: Location: mile 70; Distance: 1.3 miles; Elevation gain: 769ft; Gradient: 10% avg.

Glaisdale Horror: Location: mile 85; Distance: 0.8 miles; Elevation gain: 608ft; Gradient: 14% avg.

Rosedale Chimney: Location: mile 91; Distance: 0.8 miles; Elevation gain: 600ft; Gradient: 14% avg.

FINISH VILLAGE
Riders fly down the finish line into the stunning grounds of the Ampleforth Abbey where friends and family await them with cheers. Riders can nurse a beer and nibble on a burger before mustering up the energy to get to their feed again. There’s gourmet food vendors, a barista bar and plenty of beer on sale to allow riders to relax with a must-deserved pint while checking their chip time and cheering in their friends, club mates and fellow Strugglers.

Struggle Dales – Yorkshire Cycling

Struggle Dales is one of the UK’s most iconic sportives, set in the beautiful but challenging Yorkshire Dales landscape. The next Struggle Dales sportive will take place on Sunday 22 May 2022.

Entry opens on 5 November 2021, pre-register now at the event website to guarantee a place.

The renowned Struggle Dales Yorkshire sportive isn’t one to be taken lightly, but with prior training, grit and guts it’s achievable for almost any ambitious road cyclists.

Struggle Dales sportive begins in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire – host to the 2019 UCI Road Cycling World Championships – making it an ideal weekend break for you and your support crew. The epic Yorkshire sportive takes riders over 108 miles of stunning yet unforgiving Yorkshire Dales terrain.

The tough sportive route has claimed cult status nationwide, with riders travelling hundreds of miles year after year to tackle the gruelling challenge again and again. Cycling Weekly reviewed it as “one of the best sportive events in the UK.”

174 km (108 miles)

ABOUT STRUGGLE DALES SPORTIVE
This iconic Yorkshire sportive begins in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire; making it an ideal weekend break for you and your support crew. The epic Yorkshire sportive takes riders over 108 miles of stunning yet unforgiving Yorkshire Dales terrain. The tough sportive route has claimed cult status nationwide, with riders travelling hundreds of miles year after year to tackle the gruelling challenge again and again.

ROUTE
The Struggle Dales sportive route is 108 miles long, taking in 9430ft over seven climbs set within North Yorkshire’s stunning scenery along the region’s best cycling roads.

Although there’s some challenging uphill segments, there’s plenty of fun segments too.

CLIMBS
BEDLAM: Location: mile 5; Distance: 0.6 miles; Elevation gain: 281ft; Steepness: 8% avg.

Best and Hardest Yorkshire Cycling Climbs

HARTWITH BANK: Location: mile 10; Distance: 0.7 miles; Elevation gain: 458ft; Gradient: 11% avg.

GREENHOW HILL: Location: mile 15; Distance: 2.4 miles; Elevation gain: 934ft; Gradient: 7% avg.

Greenhow Hill Yorkshire Hardest Cycling Climbs

MALHAM COVE: Location: mile 38; Distance: 1.1 miles; Elevation gain: 544ft; Gradient: 9% avg.

Malham Cove Yorkshire Cycling Climbs

PARK RASH: Location: mile 52; Distance: 1.2 miles; Elevation gain: 684ft; Gradient: 10% avg.

TRAPPING HILL: Location: mile 80; Distance: 0.7 miles; Elevation gain: 369ft; Gradient: 9% avg.

Trapping Hill Yorkshire cycling climb

TWO STOOPS: Location: mile 94; Distance: 1.6 miles; Elevation gain: 680ft; Gradient: 7% avg.

etapedudales yorkshire cycling

etape du dales medal

etape du dales Yorkshire Cycling

Etape du Dales 110 Miles – Yorkshire Cycling

The Etape du Dales is a stunning ride through some of the UK’s most remote and scenic countryside. The route of 110 miles covers many of the county’s major climbs and the dales of Wharfedale, Littondale, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Arkengarthdale, Birkdale, Garsdale, Dentdale, Ribblesdale – AND there is not a single set of traffic lights on the whole route!

Whichever route you take, each one of them features the opportunity to enjoy magnificent Yorkshire Dales scenery and warm Yorkshire hospitality.

Each of our feed stations are generously stocked with a variety of treats that should satisfy every dietary requirement. We do everything we can to make sure you have the energy you will need to keep you going all the way to the finish back at Wharfedale Rugby Club where a hearty finishing meal awaits.

The Etape rides cover classic routes that tackle a number of renown named climbs – and innumerable bumps and hills along the way. But you get to choose how challenging a ride you make it – from a leisurely day out in the Yorkshire Dales to a challenging epic demanding all your strength and experience.

Still covering the same 110 miles in the Yorkshire Dales as in previous years and starting and finishing at Wharfedale Rugby Club in Threshfield near Grassington. The 2018 event turned the tables and went the opposite way round to the traditional route, and many riders liked the change and the option of a shorter route, so we’re keeping it that way round for another year. The Etape du Dales is an extremely difficult ride and requires an excellent level of fitness, and riders are now faced with the northern ascents of Buttertubs and Fleet Moss, the summit of the latter coming at just 20 miles to go! The course has good signage, legendary feed stations but you still should be aware of the route and terrain. Make sure you have adequate clothing and your equipment is in perfect order, a bottom gear of 34 x 28 as a minimum is recommended.

Threshfield to Ribblehead
After a gentle start up the stunningly picturesque valley of Littondale to Halton Gill, the first major climb of the event comes with the climb of Dale Head over the back of the peak of Pen-y-ghent and down to Stainforth FEED STATION. In Stainforth its a right turn up through Horton-in Ribblesdale and on to Ribblehead. 28.6m

Ribblehead to Garsdale Head
This section is gem! It starts off innocently with a steady climb away from Ribbblehead towards Hawes before turning left (the mini Etape Route carries straight on here so follow the correct signs!) and plunges down in to Dentdale. As with every valley on the route, what goes down must go up and the next climb is the epic pull up to Dent Station, the highest mainline station in England. Cresting the top of the climb, please exercise great caution on the very steep fast descent to Garsdale where right to the Moorcock FEED STATION. 41m

The Moorcock to the Tan Hill Inn
Leaving the Moorcock, head north along Mallerstang Common under the stunning Wild Boar Fell (keep an eye out for the Nine Standards on the peak) to Nateby where right. Continue up the steep climb and over the wild and remote moorland road to Keld to a left turn up yet another steep climb to the FEED STATION at the highest pub in the UK, the Tan Hill Inn. 63m

Tan Hill To Hawes
Leaving the feed station there is a little bit of respite as the road descends gently for 7 miles before the right turn towards Low Row. This signifies the start of the steep and unrelenting climb to the ford which over the years has proved to be a bathers delight – you have been warned. The sensible option is the footbridge. Descend to Low Row and follow the valley of Swaledale west to the bottom of the next epic climb – Buttertubs! Once over here its all down hill to the last FEED STATION on the route out of Hawes. 87m

Fleet Moss and Homeward Bound
With almost 90 miles in your legs the climb of Fleet Moss from the north side is one of the steepest and longest of a very hard day, but the top is a welcome site as its almost all down hill from now on. If you’re not in too much of a rush to finish, the delightful valley of Wharfedale is a sight to behold – one of Yorkshire’s gems so enjoy!

Event HQ –
Headquarters
Wharfedale Rugby Club
Wharfeside Avenue
Threshfield
North Yorkshire
BD23 5BS