Etape du Dales
Encyclopedia
Cyclosportive
A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually....
held in May each year, in the Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is the name given to an upland area in Northern England.The area lies within the historic county boundaries of Yorkshire, though it spans the ceremonial counties of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Cumbria...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was originally established as an alternative to the oversubscribed Fred Whitton Challenge
Fred Whitton Challenge
The Fred Whitton Challenge is a charity cyclosportive event held annually in the English Lake District, in aid of the MacMillan Nurses and the Dave Rayner Fund. It is held in memory of Fred Whitton, racing secretary of the Lakes Road Club, who died of cancer at the age of 50 in 1998...
; like the Fred Whitton, the Etape du Dales is a long day's ride over steep hills, and the proceeds go to charity - the Dave Rayner fund.
It is ranked as one of the most popular sportives in the UK. and is considered one of the top ten rides in the UK.
In 2010, Malcolm Elliott
Malcolm Elliott
Malcolm Elliott is an English professional cyclist, whose professional career has lasted from 1984 to 1997 when he retired and from 2003 up to the present day when he made his comeback in British domestic racing....
set a course record of 5h, 43m, 24s.
Raynet provide communications support.
Route
The Etape du Dales covers is considered challenging.The route starts and finishes at Wharfedale rugby club in Grassington
Grassington
Grassington is a market town and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England.The town is situated in Wharfedale around from Bolton Abbey and is surrounded by limestone scenery...
. The route has varied slightly over time, but now includes Fleet Moss, Tan Hill
Tan Hill, Yorkshire
Tan Hill is a high point on the Pennine Way in North Yorkshire, England north of the village of Keld, near the borders with County Durham and Cumbria and close to the northern boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.-Tan Hill Inn:...
(the highest pub in England), Buttertubs, and Coal Road. In 2009, the route was 175km, with around 3500m of ascents; in 2011, the total distance is 180km.
A shorter, gentler route, known as the Presidents Ride, is also available.