Entries for the 2012 Northern Rock Cyclone weekend go live on 1 November – and this time there is more to the North East cycling festival than ever before.
Above: Riders cross the start line to begin the 2011 Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge, the long-established sportive element of the five event Cyclone weekend.
The weekend, which has become known as one of the UK’s biggest weekends of cycling, will be made up of five events in 2012 running from Thursday 28 June Sunday 1 July – making sure there is something for all cycling fans.
The action begins with the all-new Tyne 6 Bridges rides on the evening of Thursday 28 June. Aimed at beginners and young families, the three routes will take in the beautiful and dramatic banks of the river Tyne in Newcastle. Entry to the rides is £6 and more information can be found here.
On Friday night the ever-popular Leazes Criteriums return to Newcastle’s Leazes Park. The racing around the tight circuit in the park attracts thousands of cycling fans to watch action from amateur and youth races to international cycling stars in the elite race. For 2012 it has been confirmed that the points competition in the elite race will be sponsored by M Steel Cycles. More information can be found here.
On Saturday 30 June more than 4,000 cyclists of all types – from beginners and families through to professional riders – will take to the roads of Northumberland for the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge rides. With a choice of 33, 63 or 104 mile routes, all take in Northumberland’s breathtaking and unspoilt scenery combined with a fantastic atmosphere and amazing organisation making a great day’s riding for anyone. For more information look here.
It is the turn of the professionals again on Sunday 1 July – and for the first time ever there is an event specifically for elite women riders too. Sponsored by Northumberland National Park and with a points competition sponsored by cycling holiday specialist Saddle Skedaddle, The Curlew Cup will bring the country’s top female riders to the North East following the success of the 2011 National Championships road race on the same course. Part of an elite level national women’s series, you can find more information here.
On the afternoon of Sunday 1 July the elite men return for the Beaumont Trophy, which has been running for more than 60 years. Part of British Cycling’s elite level Premier Calendar series and with a King of the Mountains competition sponsored by Kielder Organic Meats, the race will attract the cream of British as well as European riders – and is your chance to get up close to some of the world’s greatest riders. More information can be found here.
Event organiser Peter Harrison said: “It’s always exciting when entries for next year’s rides open: as the nights draw in and the weather turns looking forward to the great rides of next summer brings a smile to everyone’s face.”
To keep up to date with all the latest news sign up for exclusive updates at www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning free entry into the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge rides. You can also follow the event on Twitter @NRCyclone and on Facebook.
