9Bar High Moors Sportive
Sunday 24th June, 2012
Two Route Options 170k & 115k
A Stunning Sportive Through England's Last Wilderness
170km / 107miles 3170m / 10,400' Ascent Nine Challenging Climbs
Climb England's Highest Road Pass
Based around the North Penines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this sportive starts from the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland. The course takes in some spectacular climbs throughout Teesdale & Weardale on superb moorland roads with steady gradients which bear more resemblance to continental style climbs. This is a great route for anyone preparing for events such as the Marmotte or Etape sportives, Ironman Triathlon, or simply looking for a great day out on the bike.
'One of the most inspiring areas in Britain to ride a bike. It's a true wilderness with roads that could have been made for cycling'
Starting & finishing in Appleby there are three routes to choose from: 170km/107miles and 115km/72miles options.
Route 1: 172k/ 107 miles With nine challenging climbs & 3170m of ascent this promises to be a classic sportive. The route initially winds through the quiet lanes of the Eden Valley then into Middleton-in-Teesdale via Stainmore Common (477m). From Middleton the route takes in the awesome climbs of Bollihope Common (511m) & Crawleyside (474m) over open moorland roads to the picturesque villages of Edmundbyers & Blanchland. Cuthbert's Hill (516m) is the next main climb sweeping in to Lintzgarth & the remote Rookhope valley & onto the climb of Rookhope Head (540m) to Allenheads village in Northumberland.
Following the climb of Burtree Fell (576m), the route drops back into Weardale to tackle the steep climb of Harthope Moss at 629m the highest point on the course & the highest road pass in England. The course then passes through upper Teesdale over Harwood Common (595m) past the ski tows, before descending into Garrigill & tackling Hartside Pass (577m) the last major climb of the day. There is a fantastic sweeping descent from Hartside to the village of Melmerby before returning to Appleby.
For a map of Route 1 click here
Route 2: 115k/ 72 miles Follows the same course to Middleton-in-Teesdale via Stainmore Common. The route then heads west through the remote valley of upper Teesdale past High Force, the highest waterfall in England to Langdon Beck. You then follow the same course as route 1 over Harwood Common & Hartside Pass to finish at Appleby.
For a map of Route 2 click here
Karen and Chris Poole climbing out of Teesdale 'We love Mountains' duo on Englands highest road pass
A unique aspect of this sportive is that whatever route you choose to enter, the choice is yours to continue on a different route on the day. If for example, you have entered the Route 2 Challenge & are feeling particularly inspired whilst riding, then you can continue on & complete Route 1.
| MAIN CLIMBS | DISTANCE | TOP ALTITUDE | HEIGHT ASCENDED | LOCATION |
| Stainmore Common | 6.4k/4m | 477m/1565' | 302m/902' | NY 829 200 |
| Bollihope Common | 9.5k/6.3m | 514m/1686' | 379m/1243' | NY 992 319 |
| Crawleyside | 4.6k/2.8m | 471m/1545' | 255m/837' | NY 998 436 |
| Cuthbert's Hill | 5.6k/3.5m | 516m/1693' | 256m/840' | NY 934 451 |
| Currick | 5.2k/3.3m | 540m/1772' | 166m/545' | NY 872 451 |
| Burtree Fell | 2.4k/1.5m | 576m/1890' | 170m/558' | NY 853 432 |
| Harthope Moss | 4k/2.5m | 629m/2064' | 330m/1083' | NY 862 350 |
| Harwood Common | 9k/5.6m | 590m/1936' | 244m/801' | NY 781 358 |
| Hartside Pass | 8k/5m | 580m/1903' | 286m/938' | NY 647 418 |
'No other region in the UK has such a concentration of roads which reach such an altitude'
Participant comments; 'Many thanks for organising such an excellent event. The route, signage, and support were all first class. Normally after a long ride, I am really hungry but with so much good homemade cakes and sandwiches on route and at the end, that wasn't the case yesterday. I hope you feel able to repeat the event next year as it should become a classic. If you do, I will be on it again and recommending it to others.' Mike Ferguson
'The route was excellent, highlights for me, the descent off hartside pass and the caramel shortbreads at the feed stations.' Tim WakeleyFacilities: Entry includes Online Registration, Well Marked Course, Sports Nutrition, Feed Stations, Mechanical Support, Maps & Route Cards, Event Photography (www.sportsunday.co.uk), Free Car Parking, Changing, Showers, Event Memento, Food at Finish.
Sponsors: We are pleased to announce 9Bar as our head sponsor, providing their fantastic tasting energy bars before and during the event to all participants. Perfect for
endurance athletes these bars are dairy and gluten free, made from seeds
to provide a rich source vitamins and minerals. A compact nutritional
mix that’s light and easy to carry and eat that’s not just a quick fix
glucose boost.
Charity: We
are proud to be supporting the Great North air ambulance for this
year's event, a worthy cause as they offer a free service that receives no government
funding, relying entirely on the generosity of the general public.
Venue: Appleby Sports Centre, Appleby-in-Westmorland, CA16 6XU
Entry Fee: £25
For Rules & Regulations click here