Northern Rock Cyclone 2008
A Summer Festival of Cycling in the North East
Source: Peter Harrison
Event Date: 13 - 15 June 2008
Part of the Northern Rock Cyclone cycling festival, the Cyclone Challenge Rides are designed to provide an experience and a challenge for all ages and abilities. There are a choice of three rides of 31, 62 and 100 miles. In 2007 there were nearly 1000 participants. One of the unique features of the event was that prizes were awarded for those participants who raised the most amount of money for the charity of their choice along with some other prizes for those who travelled the furthest, oldest competitors and biggest family groups. These prizes were supplied by the Technical sponsors Ultimate Pursuits/Shimano. This theme will be continued in 2008 and four major charities have been named as the official charity partners for the event. These are Cancer Research UK, NSPCC, St Oswald's Hospice and Great North Air Ambulance. However riders can also nominate a charity of their own choice if they wish.
Ride Details
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Ride A - 31 miles
Designed for families and those just who want to enjoy the countryside without any large hills. The route is undulating and ascends for a total of 390M (1280ft)
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Ride B - 62 miles
This ride is for semi serious cyclists or those who want a challenge. It is a hilly route and not to be entered without a little previous training. The route is the same route as Ride C for the first half and then goes off in a different direction to eventually join up with ride C again for the last 1/3rd of the ride. It ascends 1217M (3993ft) in the 62mls
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Ride C - 100 miles
A serious challenge for the more experienced cyclists or those who are very fit. The route is very hilly with 2374m (7789ft) of climbing. The route is very choppy with 8 significant climbs and the highest point is Troughend Common (340m), west of Otterburn in the Cheviot Hills.
The weekend also includes city centre criterium racing on the 13th plus a Premier Calendar road race on the Sunday making it an ideal weekender for the sportive rider and avid cycling spectator.
The whole event is part of the 2008 Culture 10 programme and as a result will be publicised nationally and internationally by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative. This programme of artistic and sporting events is designed to highlight the NE as a region and bring inward investment from Tourism. It is funded by One North East (ONE) which is the regional Government funding agency.
All details about the whole event, plus online entry are on the event website www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk
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