The Autumn Skylark is a journey through the South Pennine uplands, until recently a relatively unheralded area for cycling.

However, thanks to the 2014 Tour de France’s visit to the area, it is well and truly on the map, both as a place to cycle and also as a place to enjoy for its unique mixture of windswept moorlands, quiet country lanes, tiny villages and attractive towns, full of historical buildings and atmospheric remains of the industrial revolution.

Autumn Skylark Sportive includes the signature Tour de France climbs of Holme Moss and Cragg Vale, which have both become must-ride landmarks of cycling in the UK.

Riders who took part in the Spring Skylark also enjoyed these massive climbs, but they also remarked on the unexpected pleasure of riding the country lanes in-between: roads that the Tour de France bypasses, but which are beautiful, relatively traffic free and take the rider on a journey through an almost forgotten landscape of stone-built farms and hamlets and moorland edges full of wildlife and unexpected views.

Although some roads are common to the Spring Skylark – primarily around the Holme Moss and Cragg Vale Climbs - the Autumn Skylark will introduce you to over 60km of completely new roads. Holme Moss is the centre-piece of the shorter 50km route also on offer.

The organisers have found some new gems, notably around the small town of Uppermill, and across the striking heather-clad Norland Moor, on the southern fringes of the Calder Valley.

They have also slipped in a couple of stunning new climbs: most notably the locally famous “Isle of Skye” road (named after a long-demolished pub) which, in the opinion of many local riders, matches both Cragg Vale and Holme Moss as a challenge and for the impressive surrounding scenery in one of the craggiest sections of the South Pennines’ western escarpment.

The steepest climb of the day, Marsden Lane, is much shorter – just a few hundred metres of half-cobbled, stone-wall lined road. However, it averages out at 17% gradient (near enough 1 in 6) and is as steep as 1 in 4 for a hundred metres or so. Happily it’s payback time at the top as you enter a lovely road that loops round the head of a small side valley.

So, there you have it, the Autumn Skylark, another ride designed by local riders, with the emphasis on the quality of the riding experience.

There are several lengthy stretches of A-Road, but they are all wide, predominantly high and spectacular and relatively lightly used; in-between which there are the many winding lanes that made such an impact on our Spring Skylark riders.

Support: There will be all the nutritional support you’d expect on a modern sportive, plus a hot meal and drinks awaiting every rider back at event HQ. In addition there will be mobile first aid at HQ and on the course, plus mechanical back-up.

What they said about the Spring Skylark (13 April 2014)

“Just wanted to say thanks for a great day out yesterday - organisation was superb and a great route.  It was nice to be on a small friendly sportive.” Martine

“Just a few lines to let you know how much I enjoyed yesterday's ride. The scenery was fantastic … All your volunteers were very friendly and enthusiastic and the feed stations were most welcome.” Alasdair

“Fantastic routes, well organised and super friendly staff at the feed stations.”  Cary

“Thanks to everyone who helped organise and marshal this event. Did the 60k, but wish I'd had a crack at 100km. The pie and peas were a nice touch.” Robert