"The ELY 100" Challenge Cycle Ride 2019
ELY 100 2015
The ELY 100 Challenge Cycle Ride was a great success again in 2019.
The event was held on Sunday 23rd June 2019.
This year we ran 4 different routes up to 100 miles PLUS a family route.
The routes were all waymarked, with back up vehicles just in case anyone needed any assistance. All levels of cyclists took part.
Here’s all the details from last year. See you again in 2020!
2019 ELY 100
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.
The routes will be 25miles, 50 miles, 75 miles and 100 miles. There will also be a 10 mile family route which will be marshalled.
25 Mile Route
The 25 mile Challenge heads West out of Hereford, a reasonably quiet country road via Burghill and Tillington and onto the A4110. The village of Canon Pyon is reached after a few miles where a left turn onto a quiet country lane takes you through Kings Pyon and onto the scenic black & white village of Weobley where the first official water/feed station is situated with toilet facilities. From Weobley the route heads West along a quiet undulating B Road and onto the 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, Kenchester before reaching Credenhill. The route then rejoins the A480 and heads back to the finish at Greyhound Rugby Club (HQ) via Roman Road.
The 25mile route taken at a steady pace is easily manageable for cyclists of limited abilities.
50 Mile Route
The 50 mile Challenge after replenishing water bottles and taking a snack on board at Weobley the route heads out along the A4112 towards Leominster for several miles before turning left onto a quiet country lane to the A44. A left turn onto the A44 and after 1 mile, a right turn the route 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 towards Broxwood. Before reaching Broxwood the route heads off North towards the A44. At the junction with the A44 a right followed quickly by a left turn takes you back onto a quiet lane followed by a left turn after a half mile onto Rhyse Lane which leads you back onto the A44 at “Windy Corner”. Crossing the A44 takes you onto the Black and White village of Lyonshall and the A480. After a steady climb out of the village and a nice descent a left turn leads you to the hamlet of Broxwood and a quiet lane back to the A4112 and Weobley where water and snacks will be available before heading on towards Hereford
The 50 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.
75 Mile Route
The 75 mile Challenge after replenishing water bottles and taking a snack on board at Weobley the route heads out along the A4112 towards Leominster for several miles before turning left onto a quiet country lane to the A44. A left turn onto the A44 and after 1 mile, a right turn the route takes you into the picturesque black & white village of Eardisland, continue over the River Arrow bridge to the black & white village of Kingsland. From here the route takes you along quiet lanes onto the B4361 and on to the village of Luston where a left turn exiting the village takes you onto another quiet lane to Lucton. At Lucton a left turn onto the B4362 and another left onto the A4110 will take you to another water and feed station at Luctonians Rugby Club. From here a right turn onto a quiet lane leads to the village of Shobdon and the B4362 which takes you on to Presteigne and our only venture into Wales albeit for a very short time. A quiet B Road followed by quiet country lanes takes us onto the Black and White village of Pembridge where we join the 50 mile Challenge route.
100 mile route
As the 75 m route you will head back to HQ in Hereford for refuelling. The route then heads North out of the Hereford. A reasonably flat rate for the first 10 miles to Bodenham village before the long steady climb towards Pencombe BUT the VIEWS from the top, West towards Hay Bluff are your REWARD before starting a steep descent back to the A417. A left turn followed by a right leads onto a quiet country lane past Tyrells Vodka to the A465. After passing The Crosskeys Pub, Withington the route takes a right turn to Sutton St Nicholas. A left turn by the Golden Cross Pub leads you back to Hereford via Shelwick and Munstone. The route back to Hereford is reasonably flat with a few short climbs and descents.
The 75mile and 100 mile Challenges are obviously aimed at the more experienced cyclists with a greater fitness level but for those of you who wish to take on a 100 mile distance for the first time this route has been developed for you as the amount of elevation has deliberately been kept to a minimum without spoiling a scenic ride through some beautiful North Herefordshire countryside.
10 mile family Route
The 10 mile family route will mainly use cycle paths around the city including the Sustrans supported Greenway route over the new bridge at Waterworks Lane. It will be an escorted ride by experienced cyclists to ensure the ride is safe and enjoyed by all.
How much does it cost?
The price varies per route. Entry prices as follows:
25 miles - £15
50 miles - £20
75 miles - £25
100 miles - £30
Family Ride - Adults £5 - U16s £1
Entry on day additional £5 for 25m, 50m, 75m and 100m
WHATS INCLUDED:-
Unique design medals awarded for all distance including family ride
Free parking off site from HQ - PLEASE FOLLOW SIGNS OFF GRANDSTAND ROAD
HQ - The Greyhound Rugby Club, Grandstand Road, Hereford HR4 9NG
Basic Mechanicals support
Pick up wagons
Full route marking
First Aid support
Water stations with toilet facilities. Distances Weobley 12 miles, Luctonians Rugby Club 33 miles, Weobley 64 miles, Hereford 77 miles
Water stations only Pembridge 49 miles and Bodenham 87 miles
Energy snacks and drinks for 75 and 100 mile entries
Coffee/Tea & drinks available to purchase
Ladies & gents showering facilities at HQ, a must after a hard cycle challenge!
REGISTRATION AND START TIMES
CHALLENGE REGISTRATION TIMES START TIMES
100 MILE CHALLENGE 08:15 - 08:45 09:00
70 MILE CHALLENGE 08:30 - 09:00 09:15
50 MILE CHALLENGE 08:45 - 09:15 09:30
25 MILE CHALLENGE 09:00 - 09:45 10:00
FAMILY CHALLENGE 10:00 - 10:45 11:00
Do you want to take part?
Register online at British Cycling or email us at hugs4u@ely-memorial-fund.org.uk
Sponsorship
We would be extremely grateful if you were to consider fundraising for your chosen cycle ride. However, it is optional and entirely up to every individual. Thank you for your support!
More information
You can follow updates and find out more on the ELY 100 Facebook Page
Or for more information please contact Steve Jay, steve.jay@bblivingplaces.com