Organisers of a popular cycle event are celebrating its return next month after last year’s was cancelled due to Covid-19.
The Haydon Hundred Cyclo Sportive will take place on Saturday, June 12, with three possible route choices through the Tyne Valley.
The 'Classic' 100km route crosses Alston Cobbles and Allendale Moors, while the 60km challenge route has been designed for less experienced cyclists.
Experts can tackle the 140km Skyrider route which climbs 5 of the 6 highest roads in England and has a total ascent of 2,700 metres!
Henry Swaddle, a member of the Haydon Bridge Development Trust, which organises the Haydon Hundred Cyclo Sportive, said: “Last year the event was very sadly missed.
"The great thing about it is that you have cyclists of all levels, there is an appeal for a whole gamut of people who turn out.”
For this year’s Haydon Hundred, organisers are encouraging users with E-Bikes to participate. Henry said: “We have had an electric bike enter before though we probably weren’t aware of it at the time!
"The Challenge Route is well within the range of an electric bike and anyone can do it on one!”
Henry is a marshal at this year’s event and will be manning the food station at Haltwhistle. He said: “I’m 77 now, so I’ll be at the food station where I’ve been for several years. There are entrants in my age group doing the shorter routes though.”
Not only is the event good for the cyclists, Henry says, but the village too. “It’s such a sociable and friendly event and everyone is back together in the village at the end of the day. All entrants get a voucher which they can use for a hog roast.
"They can also use the voucher to spend around businesses and shops in the village, so it’s great for custom.”
Places for this year's Haydon Hundred are still open.
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