Cycling UK's new Challenge Ride Series starts as clocks go forward

Around 400 riders will be losing an hour’s sleep the night before the popular Hertfordshire event, as the clocks go forward at 1am.

The Challenge Ride Series 2017 comprises 16 handpicked rides organised by some of Cycling UK’s local Member Groups, which will involve nearly 3,500 participants in total.

Cycling UK Chief Executive Paul Tuohy said: “Many of the rides include a choice of distances, so anyone interested in taking part should find one to suit their own requirements – whether it’s 14 miles, 50, 100 or 130.

“The series will give people the perfect excuse to cycle in some of our amazing countryside and perhaps discover an area they haven’t visited before.

“You can, for example, enjoy Momma’s Mountain Views with Chester and North Wales CTC, go Back to the Fuschia with Leicestershire and Rutland CTC, and explore the delights of Devon with Devon CTC. Whichever you choose, a grand day out is guaranteed!”

All finishers will receive a beautiful Challenge Ride Series medal and ribbon (most branded with the event name), a certificate, and a Cycling UK goodie bag, in addition to anything supplied by the local organisers.

The series kicks off with Cycle Stevenage’s Start of Summertime ride on 26 March and ends with its Emitremmus Desrever (Summertime Reversed) on 29 October.

In between, there will be rides throughout Britain in locations including The Wirral, Ayrshire, East Anglia, North Wales, the New Forest, Newcastle and Swansea. 

Cycling UK Challenge Ride Series 2017 – event list

26 March:       Start of Summertime            Starts: Stevenage                            (Estimated number of riders – 400)

9 April:            Early Season Challenge Ride Starts: Farndon, nr Chester                                                       (250)

23 April:          Bowland Forest Populaire     Starts: Wray, Lancaster                                                               (40)

14 May:           Back to the Fuschia               Starts: Thornton, Leicestershire                                                 (40)

21 May:           Between the Parks/Park2Park Starts: Woodley, nr Romsey                                                   (100)

4 June:            Bamburgh Summer 100  Starts: Gubeon Golf Centre, nr Morpeth                                             (30)

11 June:         Cumnock Canter/Glespin Gallop Starts: Troon, South Ayrshire                                                (100)

25 June:         The Des Radford 100 Miler  Starts: Sail Bridge, Swansea                                                         (30)

9 July:             Diss Dawdle/Diss Dander     Starts: Diss, Norfolk                                                                (150)

16 July:           Devon Delight                        Starts: Newton Abbot                                                            (200)

20 August:      Tour of the Hills                      Starts: Shere, Surrey                                                            (200)

27 August:      Wild Wales Challenge            Starts: Bala, Gwynedd                                                           (600)

2 Sept:            Momma’s Mountain Views   Starts: Tattenhall, Cheshire                                                       (50)

16 Sept:          Discovering Shropshire (Blue Remembered Hills) Starts: Upton Magna                                   (75)

8 October:      Gridiron 100                           Starts: Lymington, New Forest                                              (800)

29 October:    Emitremmus Desrever          Starts: Stevenage                                                                   (300)

Total number of participants: 3,330