A Trip to the Beach

A challenging 300km route with a companion event for the first 200km. Through Bowland, the Dales, Cumbria, hilly bits of Lancashire and West Yorkshire...and with a trip to beach! **WARNING you can only validate the route entered so if riding the 300km you cannot finish at 200km and claim that distance but MUST complete the 2nd loop and 300k to validate otherwise you will be classed as a DNF. PLEASE ENSURE YOU ENTER THE CORRECT EVENT.** A 6.30am joint 200km/300km start on a figure of eight route. The first larger anticlockwise loop starts near Whalley and sees both events on a quiet dual carriageway into the Forest of Bowland for the first time to cross via Gisburn Forest and Bowland Knotts to Ingleton. A long climb then, passing Ribblehead Viaduct to Hawes followed by the most northerly section thru Sedbergh for a refreshing stop at Silverdale at the coast. Once sated, back inland for the second crossing of the Forest of Bowland via Cross of Greet, Slaidburn, Cow Ark, Longridge to Whalley where the 200km event finishes. The 300km event continues on a smaller clockwise loop with a big climb onto Widdop Moor to Mytholmroyd followed by an ascent of arguably the longest continuous road ascent in England along Cragg Vale. At almost 9km long but with an average gradient of just 3% this should leave just enough in the tank for the return to Whalley. Controls are commercial or info and eBrevet is available too. Event badge included in entry price. Whalley is along the A59 from junction 31 of the M6 and there is free parking available near the start. It's even on the rail network too.