Monday 18 April 2011

TOUR OF THE PENNINES 2011



Tour of the Pennines 17th September

Now in it's third year the Tour of the Pennines has quickly established it'self as an end of season classic. Organised by the Team Torelli Cycling Club. The event recreates the Professional Tour of the Pennines event which was run throughout the 70's 80' and 90's.

Riders in last years Tour of the Pennines picture by Flaming Photography

Starting at the Radclyffe Athletics Centre in Chadderton the route takes the riders around the the Saddleworth Moors dipping into the West Yorkshire before heading back to Lancashire. Stunning Scenery, Tough climbs including the much feared Scape Goat Hill and fast descents. Since the moving of the Tour of the Peak to an date in August it makes this event a great way to sign of the season North West.

The route takes riders through areas popular with TV and Film Companys. 'Brassed Off' a film about a Colliery Brass Band with Ewan McGregor was filmed in Delph village. 'Yanks' a film about American GI's based here during the war with Richard Gere was filmed in Dobcross. A lot of scenes from 'Coronation Street' the popular soap series are filmed in Saddleworth. We also pass through 'Last of the Summer Wine Country' when the riders head over the border into Yorkshire.

We have two routes 100k and 60km. Don't be fooled a 100km around the Saddleworth Moors will feel more like a 100 miles in your legs at the finish. The climbs are tough and they come one another with just a short break in betwen to get your breath back. Each climb has it;s own characteristics. Buckstone's is quite steep at the bottom but eases towards the summit. Isle of Skye is a long steady climb where the gradient doesn't change much. There is a short steep little climb out of Meltham that stings the leg muscles especially after the very fast descent off the moors. Standedge from the Marsden side takes the riders up the old road past the Golf Club. Another tough little climb short and steep. On the descent back down to Marsden there's plenty of time to get your breath back before the biggest climb of the day the notorious Scape Goat Hill. A relatively unknown climb unless you are a local that snakes its way up out of the valley.  There's a hairpin bend half way up were the gradient is at it's steepest. Once you reach the Summit then there's Nont Sarahs to contend with a long draggy climb which can be made more difficult if it's windy. At the Summit of Nont Sarah's theres anothe long fast descent to Ripponden crossing the famous motorway bridge, one of the tallest in the country. If you take the oppurtunity to stop and have a look at the views there are stunning. Once into Ripponden theres just  Blackstone Edge to contend with. Another long draggy climb up past the Reservoirs. At the summit there's a fantastic view across Manchester. On a good day you can see for miles. Then is a quite dash back to the Athletics Satdium past Hollingworth Lake a local Beauty Stop.

This year we are hoping to have some ex pros who rode the professional event. Last year we had Jack Kershaw from Wightman/Gibsport/Knight, and Falcon Pro teams out supporting the event.

This year we have got the following features;

* Electronic Timing
* High Five Feeding Stations
* Support Vehicles
* GPS Dowloads
* Free Traditional Lancashire Pie & Peas Supper
* Free Hot Drinks after the event
* Free Sports Drinks Bottle
* Support Vehicles
* Challenging Climbs
* Fast Descents
* Stunning Scenery
* Good Quality Roads
* Professional Photographer
* Preview Video Ride
* Event Video
* Changing Rooms
* Showers Car Parking
* Friendly Event Crew
* Well Signed Route, we even mark the roads
* Route Cards




Please be aware that as the advert says ' it does exactly what it says on the tin'. This is the Tour of the Pennines which means hills. Only riders that are confident that they are fit enough for this challenge should enter.

Venue

Radclyffe Athletic Centre
Hunt Lane
Chadderton
OL9 0LS

Link to Google Maps


If you are coming on the motorway take the A627M towards Oldham. Continue on the A627M which turns into the A663 heading towards Manchester. You go through one set of traffic lights. At the second set you turn right into Hunt Lane. The Radclyffe Athletic Centre is 1/4 of a mile on the left.


REGISTRATION
Registration opens at 8.00am

START TIME
Event Starts at 9.00 am until 9.30 am. You can start anytime within the 1/2 hour.

ELECTRONIC TIMING SYSTEM


We have our own electronic timing system which has a barcode printed on with the number. It is important to attach this to your handlebars so it can be read by the scanners.


Please do not attach it around your head tube or put the cable ties across the barcode as we will not be able to scan it.


Event Enquiries to
torellisport@aol.com


EVENT PHOTOS BY 

FLAMMING PHOTOGRAPHY

http://www.flamingphotography.co.uk/




TOUR OF THE PENNINES ROUTES
We have had to make a few changes from last year due to road works but the major climbs are all still there plus an old favourite we left out last year is back by popular request.

100km Route

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=290392

60km Route

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=290397