19 Sep White Rose Classic 2018 Planning Starts… Now!

Have you gotten out your winter bike yet?  Or maybe just tucked away your summer bike altogether for the year?  Still, you can start dreaming about next summer’s adventures.  Mark your calendar: Sunday, June 24, 2018.  That is the day you can head out for a challenging – or an epic – ride into the Yorkshire Dales on the White Rose Classic 2018.  No need to procrastinate, you can register now while there is still space.

White Rose Classic 2018

The White Rose Classic 2018 is a “classic” in more than once sense.  Even before it was re-started by the Ilkley Cycling Club in 2012, the Event had been a fixture on the national sportive calendar.  Now, as one of the largest, all-volunteer-run cycling sportives, it attracts riders from all over Britain and beyond.  Nevertheless, we limit the number of riders to 1000.  We want you to be able to enjoy the same solitude of Yorkshire roads that we enjoy all year around… without bumping shoulder-to-shoulder with other cyclists.

The Routes

The White Rose Classic 2018 features three distinct, but challenging routes, suitable for all riders.  The Grassington 50 mile Short Route is great if you are just starting to get serious about road cycling.  Whereas the Hawes 114 mile Long Route will suit past-masters who think nothing of spinning out 100+ miles over hill and dale.

We do not send you out to fend for yourselves.  The route is fully sign-posted. On the Routes page, we post the downloadable .gpx files for each route.

We also go to a lot of trouble to make sure you do not ride on empty.  We have placed strategically located feed stations along each route, so you can refuel with homemade (really!) sandwiches and other delicacies.  There is even a Splash an’ Dash station in Horton-in-Ribblesdale to make sure Long Route riders don’t go thirsty.  You are unlikely to get this kind of care at any other cycling event (unless you bring your own).

And if you want some company while you tackle the hills, then you can join an organised ride with an experience ride leader.  You will get the comradery of a Club Ride, while taking on a challenge that may be more than you have ever done before.  We will be publishing more about how to join those rides on Facebook closer to the event.

Time to Register

While you work on your plans for next June, keep checking this blog.  It is a place for all things cycling.  We will be focusing on the activities, techniques, and events that are complementary with the White Rose Classic 2018 But we are open to any contributor with something interesting to say about our favourite sport.  Got an idea?  Just send an email to me “wrc” at ilkleycyclingclub.org.uk.