Exclusive: Ronde Van Calderdale 2014 entries open
Cobbled classic raising money for the Kirklees Cycling Academy; helping young riders achieve their dreams
Entries are open for the 2014 edition of the Ronde Van Calderdale, the reveered 76 mile ride with over 10,000 feet of climbing on the cobbled streets of Yorkshire, taking place on April 6.
British Cycling took on the Ronde in 2013 asking the question; is this the toughest sportive in Britain? The only way you can answer that is by getting involved, and letting us know - that is if you make it to the finish.
ROUTECARD
Ronde Van Calderdale
Distance: 75.9 miles
Ascent: 10,121 feet
Start/Finish: Liversedge
13 cobbled sectors including:
Steele Lane: 0.4 miles
Average Gradient: 12.5%
Shibden Wall: 0.5 miles Average Gradient: 15.2%
Gibb Lane: 0.5 miles
Average Gradient: 10%
Old Lane: 0.1 miles
Average Gradient: 22%
Trooper Lane: 0.4 miles Average Gradient: 19%
Places for the 2014 Ronde Van Calderdale are now available to purchase exclusively through British Cycling's event calendar. The long route is priced at £21,with £20 going to the Kirklees Cycling Academy; the short route £12 with £11 donated to the Academy.
Trooper Lane: The final cobbled sector of the Ronde lasts 0.4 miles at 19% average gradient
HISTORY OF THE RONDE
Echoing the memories evoked by the Belgian spring classics with an ambition to support local young cyclists part of the Kirklees Cycling Academy the Ronde Van Calderdale was the the brainchild of Mick Collins.
Collins achieved his dream in riding the under-23 Paris Roubaix and it is hoped that one day a rider from the Academy will have the same opportunity. Meanwhile, those taking part in the event will get to ride their own Flandrian classic having contributed to the support network which aims to deliver young riders to the British Cycling Olympic Performance Programmes.
Echoing the memories evoked by the Belgian spring classics with an ambition to support local young cyclists part of the Kirklees Cycling Academy, the Ronde Van Calderdale lets you take on your own cobbled challenge, while contributing to the local cycling community.
HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY
Launched in February 2010, the Academy’s sole purpose is to introduce riders aged 6 to 18 into the world of competitive cycle sport, offering them the very best levels of support for their development and ambitions.
With a willing group of club coaches and volunteers and clear goals to help develop a regional champion in three years and a British champion in five years the Academy has gone from strength to strength.
Supporting riders based on quality over quantity and a professional, business like ethic the KCA needed to raise cash to underpin the dream.
In 2013 the Ronde Van Calderdale was one such event, raising over £1500 invested directly into young riders competing for the Academy in both regional and national events where access to bikes, together with subsidised entry fees and kit vouchers all help reduce the direct costs to parents.
Already, Academy riders have been achieving results thanks to this support - including Harry Hardcastle. The first ever Kirkclees Cycling Academy member finished fourth in the Isle of Man Youth Tour in 2013 and tenth in a round of the British Mountain Bike Series.
Mason Hollyman was the British Schools Cycling Association Hill Climb Champion in 2012, while Ava Oxley was ranked second nationally in category C.
Such results wouldn't be possible without the funds raised at the Ronde Van Calderdale and tomorrow, we'll have a photostory documenting the roads you'll encounter when riding in support of the talented youth of Yorkshire.
Places for the 2014 Ronde Van Calderdale are now available to purchase exclusively through British Cycling's event calendar. The long route is priced at £21,with £20 going to the Kirklees Cycling Academy; the short route £12 with £11 donated to the Academy.
