EARLY risers will catch a glimpse of 200 cyclists in Haydon Bridge on Saturday morning.
They will depart the village’s Bridge Library, on Church Street, from 8am onwards, when the seventh annual Haydon Hundred gets under way.
Participants from near and far will be given a choice of three circular routes, taking in the Allen Valleys, Hadrian’s Wall, and the North Pennines.
The 60km challenge route will take an anti-clockwise trip around Newbrough, Haltwhistle, Whitfield, and back to Haydon Bridge.
The 100k classic route is similar, but will include an additional 40km section via Alston, Nenthead and Allendale.
The more advanced skyrider route will venture into Teesdale and Weardale, before rejoining the classic route after Nenthead.
The event’s founder Mark I’Anson said: “We’ve made a few changes to the 100k to avoid a few poor country roads, but it’s essentially the same route, and it’s equally as scenic. In terms of entries, we are ahead of where we were at this time last year, and are expecting in excess of 200 people on all three rides.”
The cyclo sportive started in 2013. Volunteers will help to steward the event, both in Haydon Bridge, and at feeding stations along the route.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here