Charity Cycle Challenge
The ELY Memorial Fund Trustees are looking forward to welcoming our cyclists to our FINAL EVER Cycle Challenge on Sunday 2nd July 2023!
The proposed routes will take in part of the Black & White Village Trail of Herefordshire. They are characterised by large number of timbered and half timbered buildings. You will cycle through some of the prettiest villages and landscape in England.
This year you have three routes to choose from, 32 miles, 46 miles and 71 miles.
Please read the entry requirements at the bottom of the registration form to understand the rules
32 Mile Route
The 32 mile Challenge heads West out of Hereford, a reasonably quiet country road via Burghill and Tillington and onto the A4110. The village of Wellington is reached after a mile where a left turn onto another quiet country lane takes you onto Canon Pyon. A few hundred yards on the A4110 through the village and a left turn leads on towards Kings Pyon and the scenic black & white village of Weobley where the first water station is situated at Weobley Village Hall, with toilet facilities.
From Weobley the route heads West along a quiet undulating B Road and onto the A480 A right turn followed by a left turn takes you along quiet lanes and eventually meets up with the A480 at Moorhampton. A right turn leads onto A480 which is probably the quietish main road in Herefordshire. Again, it is undulating with views across to Hay Bluff before turning right at Mansel Lacy crossroads. The next few miles are on quiet, narrow country lanes passing through Bishopstone and Kenchester before reaching Credenhill. The route then rejoins the A480 and heads back to the finish at Westfields Football Club via Grandstand Road.
The 32 mile route taken at a steady pace is easily manageable for cyclists of limited abilities.
46 Mile Route
The 46 mile Challenge after replenishing water bottles and taking a snack on board at Weobley the route heads out along the quiet lanes to the village of Dilwyn. A right turn in the centre of the village takes you towards the A44 passing by Tyrells Crisp factory.
At the /A44 Junction you head straight over onto the A44 for 1 mile then a right turn takes you into the picturesque black & white village of Eardisland. A left turn just before the bridge over the River Arrow leads onto Broome Lane and west towards another black & white village, Pembridge.
At the junction in the centre of the village a right turn immediately followed by a left turn leads onto another quiet lane to Broxwood and back to the A4112 and Weobley where water and snacks will be available before heading on the same route as the 30 mile challenge.
The 46 mile route will obviously be a bit more challenging but again taken at a steady pace is well achievable by any cyclist with a reasonable fitness level.
71 Mile Route
The 71 mile Challenge follows the 46mile route for approximately 34 miles then continues on through Staunton-on-Wye village. After leaving the village you turn right onto the A438 then after 300metres turn left and the route takes you over the River Wye at Bredwardine and onto the B4352 towards Hay-on-Wye. After 3 miles a left turn takes you along a quiet lane to the B4348 continuing along the B4348 for 5 miles passing through the village of Dorstone until you reach Peterchurch and the final water/feed station. On the outskirts of the village the route turns right towards the foothills of the Black Mountains and the start of a steady 2mile climb varying between 8% and 15% to Michaelchurch Escley.
A left turn leads you to the start of a fast 2 mile descent, much needed after the steady climb. The route then leads you back onto the A4348 for 2 miles when a left turn takes you to the village of Madley. From here the route heads along a C road for 3 miles before crossing the River Wye again at Bridge Sollars. After crossing the A438 onto a quiet lane in 1/2 mile you join the 32 and 46 mile routes back to Westfields Football Club via Grandstand Road.
The 71 mile Challenge is obviously aimed at the more experienced cyclists with a greater fitness level with a testing climb around the 48 mile point!
The details
Entrance to the event is via Grandstand Road and Widemarsh Common, to Westfields Football Club, HR4 9NA.
Free parking is also available.
Registration will open from 8am for the 71 mile challenge who will set off at 9am.
Registration will open from 8.30am for the 46 mile challenge who will set off at 9.30am
Registration will open from 9.00am for the 32 mile challenge who will set off at 10am.
There will be water and few snacks available with a route map for your cycle ride.
There will be tea and coffee available at HQ.
Finally, if you feel unwell with Covid symptoms on the morning of your ride please do not attend. A full refund will be given for such reasons.
If you’d like to raise sponsorship for ELY please download our sponsorship form
How much does it cost?
The price varies per route. Entry prices as follows:
32 miles - £10
46 miles - £15
71 miles - £20
How do I enter?
Download the entry form below and return via post.
What’s included?
ELY medals
Energy snacks and drinks provided for cyclists entering the 46 & 71 mile challenges.
Free parking on site at HQ
HQ - Westfields Football Club, Grandstand Road, Hereford HR4 9NA
Basic Mechanicals support
Pick up wagons
Full route marking
First Aid support
Water stations with toilet facilities at Weobley 14 miles and 30 miles
Water station and toilet facilities at Peterchurch Fire station 47 miles.
Coffee/Tea available to purchase at HQ
Ladies & gents toilet facilities at HQ
