Challenge Rides

Merlin Cycles, Sensa Bikes support Witches' Curse Sportive

By John Storms on 18 July 2012

The inaugural Witches' Curse Sportive on September 9th welcomes Merlin Cycles and Sensa Bikes as sponsor for 2012. The event, which starts in Clitheroe, Lancashire, offers riders 7,500 ft of ascent on the longer 68 mile route.

The Witches' Curse Sportive, a new event for 2012, is pleased to bring on board Merlin Cycles and Sensa Bikes as title sponsor. The Challenge ride takes place on September 9th in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Merlin Cycles will be on hand on the day to service bikes and show their new and exclusive range of Sensa Bikes.

Team Raleigh to ride the 2012 CTC Phil Liggett Challenge

By John Storms on 6 July 2012

The 15th edition of the CTC Phil Liggett Challenge takes place on 19 August. £17 for CTC members, £27 for non CTC members or any team of 4 people can enter for £60.

Team Raleigh will ride the 2012 CTC Phil Liggett Challenge

Team Raleigh will attend the 19th August event ridden over the roads of the Milk Race where Phil Liggett was the Race Director for more than twenty years, making up one of the best routes in CTC's library.

There are 100km and 150km rides to choose from. The epic long course near Sheffield includes over 2,600m of climbing including the Peak District climbs of Holme Moss, Winnats Pass and Monsal Head.

Guildford CTC Challenge Ride turns two

By John Storms on 30 May 2012

Cyclists from all over the globe took the challenge of riding 57 or 94 miles on Sunday 27 May at CTC National Office.

Belgium, Philipines, Ireland, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent: these are just some of places where cyclists who took part in the latest CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive in Guildford were from.

Phil Liggett CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive - Sheffield

Renowned cycling and sport commentator and ex-CTC President Phil Liggett invites you to ride on the roads of the Milk Race where Phil was also the Race Director for more than twenty years.

There are 100km and 150km rides to choose from.

The epic 150km course near Sheffield includes over 2,600m of climbing including the Peak District climbs of Holme Moss, Winnats Pass and Monsal Head.

Entries limited to 1,000, available online, through the post and on the day.

CAR PARKING & EVENT HQ

This has been limited in the past, however this year all the event parking will situated behind the event HQ in the park, with ample spaces for all. The car park will open at 06.30 and not before, please follow the marshalls instructions as the entrance is narrow and situated on a bend.

Please look at the map on the website to confirm the entrance.

Any riders being dropped off please do not use the car park as we will be operating a ONE WAY system until 09.00, unless your driver can wait until 09.00. Please turn left only on leaving the car park Please follow the signs. There will not be any parking at Lomas Hall except for event vehicles.

LOMAS HALL, CHURCH STREET, STANNINGTON, S6 6DB

HQ will not open before 07.00AM for REGISTRATION however the toilets will be available from 06.30.

REGISTRATION

Please look for your number on the notice boards and go to the correct signing on point. The information is listed alphabetically and CTC members please bring your membership cards for possible inspection.

Please sign and collect your ride number and timing chip which is attached to the back of the number. Please do not remove it from the number and then attach it to the front of your bike on the handlebars, using the ties supplied, see notice boards and photos for help.

Please note all timing chips must be returned or you will be charged £10.

OFFICIAL START

ALL RIDES WILL StART FROM THE LOMAS HALL CARPARK UNDER THE ARCH.

LONG ROUTE 08.00 TO 08.30 SHORT ROUTE 08.15 TO 08.45

ROUTE INFORMATION

The route will be fully signed with blue CTC route arrows. Arrows will be situated at every turn and a confirmation arrow placed within 200m of the turn. Further arrows will be placed as confirmations every 1 to 2 kms.

YELLOW Hazard warning signs will be positioned where necessary and please adjust your riding to follow their instructions.

Please note the route split will be signed so please take care at this junction and note when you see the routes merge signs. There will be only one colour arrows. See sample on the notice boards.

FEED POINTS

This year there will be 2 official feed stops on the long route and one on the short route.

First stop will be at 37miles at the Village Hall at Hayfield this will cover both routes and will have High5 nutritional products plus fruit, cakes, drinks and water. This feed will close at 13.00

The 2nd stop and long route only will be situated at the top of Monsal Head in the car park on the RIGHT. This feed will offer the same plus some savoury products. This feed will close at 16.00

The usual cafes, including will be listed at the HQ on the notice boards for anyone wanting traditional fayre.

MECHANICAL SERVICE and BROOM WAGON

We will be operating a motorcycle service for riders with more than the usual puncture and this can be contacted through the emergency telephone number listed on the back of your ride number and on the HQ notice boards.

Please make a note of these numbers on the day.

Due to the length of the routes and terrain please note that mobile services are poor in places and we suggest if you have a problem and cannot contact HQ, ask another rider to relay your problem back to HQ at the most convenient point. Please do not leave the route if you have a breakdown otherwise we will not be able to find you.

Please be patient as the motorcycle may take up to an hour or more reaching your point from their current location.

For more terminal breakdowns or fatigue we operate a broom wagon and we will collect you and your bike and return you back to HQ, this will take some time collecting you and returning back to HQ. If you can make other arrangements please do so but notify HQ and please make sure to return your timing chip to avoid the £10 charge.

Finally please note the official timing control at the finish will close at 18.00, our sweep vehicle will be behind the last rider on the road, and we will with agreement remove timing chips after this time and riders will have to make their own way back to HQ

HQ will close at 19.00. And Car park 19.30.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Please make a note of these at HQ and this is also listed on the back of your number.

We do not have any First Aid on the route so please contact the emergency services in the event of an accident and also notify HQ with details of the rider and their number, please. We will also endeavour to help through our normal service.

GENERAL INFORMATION

All riders will receive a goody bag at the start and a snack meal on their return, teas and coffees are available at the start and finish from 07.00.

All finishers will receive a ride cap. Certificates are available from the timing information 30 mins after your finish.

We will have a massage service by donation at the finish so please book in as soon as possible on your return as this proves very popular.

There will be a CTC Shop selling ride jerseys and caps open from 07.30am to 09.00 and from 13.00 to 18.00

For everyone’s safety please read the event terms and conditions.

Please remember this event is run as a Sportive and NOT A RACE so all riders must adhere to the HIGHWAY CODE at all times and any rider breaking these rules will have their number removed and asked to leave the event.

Please be courteous to all road users and fellow cyclists alike and have a safe and pleasant ride.

Routes

Routes:

95 km

150 km

CTC Challenge Ride & Sportive - York - Ron Kitching

Ron Kitching CTC Challenge Ride and Sportive - York

Ron was not only a star racing man but grew his business so that it became one of the world's largest import / export businesses of cycling equipment. He also played a major part in the formation of the York Rally. The ride includes some of Ron's favorite roads over the North Yorkshire Moors.

The route across the Howardian Hills and the North Yorks Moors both teases and rewards with a couple of 16% climbs with the delightful village of Hovingham (bakery and tea rooms) in between. The 100km route takes riders up on to the moors before dropping into Hutton-le-Hole and on to Marton. The 150km route tackles the climbs of Farndale and the savage Blakey Bank. After a stop at Danby Moors Centre, the route climbs back over the moors before dropping into Rosedale where the adventurous can take the option of the Chimney, a genuine 33% climb. From there it's a lumpy run through the grounds of Castle Howard and back to the attractions of the York Cycle Show.

Route

The route is fully arrowed using CTC blue signs. There will be additional warning signs placed along the route warning riders of descents gravel and narrow roads please adjust your riding to suit these conditions. These are for your safety and other road users.

The arrow system will be situated at every route turn with a confirmation arrow within 200m of the turn to confirm the correct route. There will be also confirmation arrows every mile approximately to reassure the route direction.
Please be extra careful during the ride in and out of York City

If you don’t see a sign don’t turn.

There will be maps also available should you require one, please ask at registration.

Feed Points

There will be 2 on both routes. The first is situated at FADMOOR VILLAGE HALL (42kms)

This is 30m off the main route and will be clearly marked on entering the Village. Please note you will need to retrace back to the main route after leaving the Feed Stop.

The 2nd Feed Stop will be at the traditional MARTON VILLAGE HALL (at 58kms on the Short ride and 103kms on the Long ride), this is run by the WI who offer an outstanding selection of cakes as well as tea and coffee on a charged basis.

Both feeds will have energy products and drinks from High5 free of charge

There are many well known tea and cafe stops en route, including the chance to stop just prior to the Rosedale Chimney climb.

On returning your timing chip you will receive a food voucher for your after ride food from the Registration Marquee.

Mechanical Service and Broom Wagon

We will have our BMW Service bike and mechanic out and about on the route to help out wherever possible. We do expect all riders to carry out basic repairs such as punctures and we will offer a basic bike check before the start of the event.

We will also have a broom wagon to collect riders with terminal mechanicals.

We will endeavour to get to any rider as quick as possible but please acknowledge that we may be at least an hour or more in extreme circumstances.

There will not be a first aid en route and any serious accident should be referred to the Ambulance service and HQ notified as soon as possible, stating the injured riders number.

Please note this is a sportive and not a race and all riders must adhere to the Highway Code at all times and be courteous to all other roads users and fellow cyclists.