Event Details

The event is not a race but a sportive for a wide range of riders, sanctioned by British Cycling. It features three distinct routes to suit your experience and riding style. You need to register for one of the routes, but should you wish to change route, you can do this up to 7 days before the event.

If you downgrade from the ‘The Challenge’ or ‘The Epic One’, the event does not offer a refund on the price difference
If you choose to upgrade from ‘The Short one’, you will be charged the difference based on full entry pricing.

All changes must be requested by Sunday 29th June 2025 – we can not accept any change after this date

Online registrations via this website close once the event is full or at midnight on Sunday 29th June 2025.

Subject to spaces entries can still be accepted until midnight, Friday 4th July via the British Cycling event page. Website entries cannot be accepted after this date.

A lot of work goes into making everything run smoothly on the day. Once you have registered, find out below about the Event logistics so your day starts fast – and ends safely!

Getting here:

If driving to Nell Bank, (HQ) you must follow the car park marshall’s instructions as the slip road to the car park is also shared by cyclists riding to the event or those that are setting off on their chosen route.
If you are travelling to the event via the train, there is a direct train from Leeds & Bradford to Ilkley or if coming via Skipton you will need to change at Shipley. Nell Bank, (HQ) is a 5 minute cycle ride or 10 minute walk.
If you are cycling to the event, please follow the signs at the entrance as the entrance to HQ is also used by those travelling by car.
If you can getting dropped off – please follow the car park marshall’s directions.

Out on route:

Please follow the route signage on your chosen route. (If you use a bike computer please down the free route GPX for added safely – GPX files can be found on the routes page)
And keep a smile on your face, because our event photographer will be out on route to catch as your tackle one of the many hills or named climbs.

HQ – Nell Bank

The event is enjoyed by around 1000 riders each year, who often bring their friends and family to cheer them on. The event is supported by Ilkley Cycling Club volunteers along with friends and family members who give up their time to make the event a success.

Nell Bank Address:
Denton Road, Ilkley, LS29 0DE

HQ is open from 6.30am and we close the site at 6.30pm. There’s ample free parking for all. Please follow the directions given by the marshals.

From 7.00am onwards, riders will be leaving via the same entrance, so please be aware and drive with care.

Toilets and changing facilities are available on site.

It is your responsibility to secure your bike when on site or at the feed stops, the White Rose Classic or Nell Bank cannot accept any liability for damage or stolen bikes. We have never had an issues of this on previous events and we’d like to keep it that way. Use the bike racks provided pre sign on / at the feed stops & post event or return your bike to your car before enjoying the post ride hospitality.

If you will not finish your chosen route by 6.00pm, call event HQ on the number provided so the event team know. It is your responsibility to ensure you can complete the chosen route in sufficient time.

WHERE TO START

SIGN ON

All participants must register before the event.

Before you can ride, you must Sign On at Event HQ. Please note the sign on widows for each route to ensure you get round your chosen route in sufficient time and back to HQ to enjoy your free post ride meal.

Event HQ Gates open from 6.30am

Sign On is open from 6.45am until 8.45am

The Epic One – Sign On from 6.45am and start by 7.30am
The Challenge – Sign On from 7.30and start by 8.15am
The Short One – Sign On’ from 8.15am and start by 9.00am

You must present identification (credit card, drivers licence, etc.) in order to Sign On.

You will be asked to confirm your emergency contact details

Sorry, no riders under the age of 18 can participate

The Start Line opens at 07.00

All riders must have left HQ by 9.00am

SAFETY

The event is non-competitive, i.e. not a race! If you ride recklessly or endanger others, whether on the road, at Feed Stops or anywhere else while an Event Participant, you will be asked to drop out of the event.

You must have a hard-shell helmet conforming to CE standard EN1078 to be allowed to start.
We do not allow Tri-bars in the Event. They are a potential danger to other riders in the event of an accident. If you show up with them, you will be asked to remove them before starting. (See Terms & Conditions)
We recommend that you carry a printed form of identification with your with name, address, and emergency contact details in the event of an accident.

Along with event route signage there’ll also be Ride Marshals on the start/finish line and at a select few locations along the road for your safety. Along with the route signage they are there for everyone’s safety so please follow their directions they provide. If they want you to slow down or stop, it is for a good reason!

In the event of emergency whilst on route please call the number provided at Sign On.

TIMING

The White Rose Classic is non-competitive, but that does not mean that we do not offer you the chance to track your time on the route. We track your Start and Finish, as well as your time at three key intermediate points, Grassington, Settle, and Hawes.

Your times will be live on the Web from when you first dib your chip at the Start until you reach the Finish. Data from the intermediate stations at Grassington and Hawes is immediately posted to the White Rose Classic Live Timing site.

Friends and family can monitor your progress through each timing point. Once you have reached Grassington, we will start to post your estimated time of arrival based on our selected route, so friends and family will know when to expect you.

To take the pressure off at the feed stations, you can optionally “dib out” as you are leaving. Your time spent at the feed station will be automatically deducted from your total time. So relax and enjoy… but don’t lose track of time: you still must finish by 18:30 in Ilkley to have your time recorded.

STARTING

– Proceed to the start area at the front of the Event HQ area.

– The Start Marshal will give you a short rider briefing .

– Marshals will group riders to start together, coordinating with road marshals for safety.

– Timing starts when you dib your wristband chip at the start, except your Start time will be delayed by 3 minutes to allow you to slowly and safely exit Nell Bank.

– From the Start until the end of the road down to Denton Road is a “neutralised zone.” You may be stopped by marshals ushering cars into the car park.

– After turning left onto Denton Road, you do not have to continue to ride with the people you start with, but please follow directions from Marshals. They are there for everyone’s safety.

FINISHING

– We turn the Start line into the Finish line after 9.00am. You need to cross it both at the Start and Finish to get your time registered.

– Please dismount after finishing.

– Walk your bike to the racks provided.

– We close the finish line at 6.00pm – call HQ if you are not there by that time!

– Now for a hearty meal. Please hand in the purple wrist band you received at Sign On. If you are hungry for more, or have friends/family with you, you can purchase the meal for a very reasonable price.