Registration Open for Yorkshire’s Premier Sportive the White Rose Classic
Ride some of the same roads used in the Tour de France, the Tour de Yorkshire and the 2019 World Championships
Taking place on Sunday June 21, 2020, the White Rose Classic is an epic adventure around the Yorkshire Dales which features some of the area’s iconic climbs such as Norwood Edge, Fleet Moss, Coal Road and Silverdale, to name a few.
Organized by Ilkley Cycling Club, it is a sportive with the feel of a great club ride. It is limited to 1000 riders and manned entirely by Club volunteers. It is a fabulous day out to enjoy the magnificent scenery in “God’s Own County”.
The White Rose Classic features three Yorkshire Dales cycle routes; the short, medium and long.
Whichever route you take, when you ride the White Rose Classic, you earn the right to enjoy classic Yorkshire-style hospitality!
Each of the three feed stations features homemade sandwiches and other treats specifically prepared for the hungry cyclist. Ilkley Cycling Club and their huge team of volunteers do everything they can to make sure you have the energy you will need to keep you going all the way to the finish back in Ilkley.
The White Rose Short Route is perfect for those taking on a first sportive challenge who want to see why so many cyclists are drawn to Yorkshire Dales cycle routes. At almost 50 miles it is plenty long enough to get a feel for the beauty – and challenges – of the area. The route is no pushover, tackling the famous Norwood Edge climb.
The short route is 49 miles/79 kilometres, 4222ft / 1287m metres ascent. All three routes are timed from start to end and at intermediate points across your chosen route. For the short route the award times are:
– Male timing standards: Gold: 3:25hrs, Silver 3:55hrs, Bronze finish
– Female timing standards: Gold: 4:05hrs, Silver 4:40hrs, Bronze finish
The White Rose Medium Route is a more challenging distance, taking in the famous Norwood Edge climb on the way to the first feed station in Grassington. From there it ventures into remote Littondale and Silverdale, past Pen-Y-Ghent, before dropping into Ribbledale to cross the ancient single-lane (barely!) bridge just above Stainforth Force (or, as the locals would have it, Stainforth Foss) to take the back road to the market town of Settle to the next feed station
Leaving Settle you tackle the steepest climb of the day, Albert Hill, before sweeping down into quiet Malhamdale. The route winds its way back to the Wharfe valley before heading down river to the final climb up Langbar and a welcome downhill finish in Ilkley.
The medium route is 84 miles/135 kilometres, 6911 feet / 2106 metres ascent
– Male timing standards: Gold: 5:55hrs, Silver: 7:00hrs, Bronze: finish
– Female timing standards: Gold: 6:50hrs, Silver: 8:00hrs, Bronze: finish
The White Rose Long Route is an epic 120 mile challenge, including Norwood Edge, Fleet Moss, Garsdale Head (Coal Road), before turning west in Dentdale for the Deepdale/Kingsdale duo. This is a climb that even a few locals don’t know. It’s a tough climb with a magnificent reward of views from Morcambe Bay across the Forest of Bowland, and all the way to Pendle Hill.
After dropping down into the classic Dales town of Ingleton, a few quiet miles take you to the feed station at Settle before tackling Albert Hill, considered the hardest climb of the day.
By the final climb over our local hill at Langbar you’ll have clocked over 10,000ft / 3000m of ascent. It is a challenge for all riders, but it gives you an opportunity to take in the most dramatic of all the Yorkshire Dales cycle routes, with views of the famous Yorkshire 3 Peaks: Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough. Riding the Long Route you will know why the Tour de France came to ride these roads!
-120 miles/192 kilometres, 10,645 feet / 3245 metres ascent
-Male timing standards: Gold: 7:55hrs, Silver: 9:15hrs, Bronze: finish
-Female timing standards: Gold: 9:05hrs, Silver: 10:35hrs, Bronze: finish
NEW Friend Group Rides
For the 2020 White Rose Classic, there is the opportunity to ride the Dales in a friendly Group with a ride leader – even if you come to the Event by yourself. For each of the three Routes, there will be groups of different speeds led by experienced Ilkley Cycling Club ride leaders. After you have registered to ride, then go ahead and “volunteer” to join one of the Group Rides. If there is room, you can do it on the day, but best to join in advance.
Start Times
Hawes Long Route Groups – Medium speed – 6:45, Steady – 7:00
Settle Medium Route Groups – Medium speed – 7:45, Steady – 8:00
Grassington Short Route Groups – Medium speed – 8:45, Steady – 9:00
Raising Funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance
The event has contributed over £5,000 to fund the operation of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance over the last two years.
Register NOW!
For full information please visit: https://whiteroseclassic.org.uk, or click the button below to register now.
