Killhope Challenge Rides 2025

Houghton Cycling club are promoting two challenging rides on quiet roads in the stunning North Pennines on Sunday 13th April. (Entries open Friday 7th Feb and close Monday 7th April)

The 102km event formerly the Killhope Grimpeur Audax, is  accompanied by a shorter but still challenging 54km ride:

• The KILLHOPE Challenge - 102kms  (Entry limited to 100)
  Reliability ride starting in Lanchester Co Durham, and taking in Blanchland, Allenheads, Nenthead, Killhope Cross, St Johns Chapel, Crawleyside and back to Lanchester. The climb of Killhope Cross is over 2000 ft and was part of stage 6 in the 2021 Tour of Britain.
  
   
• The NO KILLHOPE  Challenge - 54kms (Entry limited to 50)
  A shorter but still challenging ride, as above but missing out on the Blanchland to Crawleyside loop, there is no climb of Killhope Cross on this ride.
   

These are both challenging hilly rides with almost 6000 feet of climbing in the 102km event and over 3000 feet in the 54km route . Low gears are a must for both events! The rides are not races and you should ride at a pace which is comfortable for you.

The 102 km will start from Lanchester at 8.30am , the 54km will start at 9.30am. All finishers will be able to enjoy free food and refreshments at the finish. There will be three check points in the 102km event and one in the 54km event.

Route sheet, GPX files and instructions will be emailed to everyone from 8th April (entries close 7th April)

HCC will donate any surplus from these events to the St Cuthbert's Hospice Durham.

All under 18s must have a completed signed Parental Responsibility form (available from the organiser)and under 15’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the event.