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Thank you for entering The Cumberland Challenge. Less than two weeks to go and we are sure that you have been working those hill-climbing legs in preparation for North Cumbria’s finest cyclosportive. We thought it would be useful to provide you with some useful information to make your experience even more enjoyable!
General News
Please ensure that you have re-read the rules and regulations governing the event.
Helmets are strongly advised.
The event is run on open roads. Please adhere to the Highway Code at all times.
Event Registration
Riders can register and collect their SportIdent timing "dibber" either at the Pasta Party on Saturday evening, between 6.00 - 9.00 pm or on the morning of the event after 6.30 am. On completion of/or retirement from the event, riders must return their "Dibber" to the event HQ, otherwise we will assume that they may still be on the route and send someone out to search. A charge of £20 will be made for non returned "dibbers"
Pre-Event Pasta Party
The committee have organised a Pasta Party (cost £5.00 per head) for Cumberland Challenge participants on the Saturday evening at William Howard School. So you can sign on for the event (anytime between 6.00pm and 9.00 pm) enjoy a bowl of pasta, ‘network’ with friends (old and new), have a glass of pop and listen to some live music, courtesy of the amazing acoustic blues guitarist, Chris James. Chris will be performing two sets from 6.15pm – 7.00pm and 7.30pm – 8.15pm. What a fabulous way to prepare yourself for the following days jaunt!
Car Parking
On the day of the event there will be space around the school for about 200 cars. Please do not park on the main road in front of the school and be thoughtful of nearby local residents. There is additional parking available close by in Brampton town centre and Union Lane and Gelt Road car parks.
Start Times
To assist with the smooth running of the event the starting procedure will be as follows:
• 07h30 to 08h00 10-12 mph average speed (Novice riders)
• 08h00 to 08h30 12 – 15 mph average speed (Competent tourists and experienced club riders)
• 08h30 to 09h00 Over 15mph average speed (Fast sportive and club riders)
When assessing your average speed please bear in mind the hilly nature of the terrain. Riders will be started in groups of 20 at two minute intervals.
Marshals and ‘dibbers’ along the route have been organised in accordance with these speeds and asked to remain in place for defined periods to cater for these schedules. Any riders that fall behind the schedule must be aware that the marshals may no longer be in place and that, if caught by the ‘Broom Wagon’ they will be asked to abandon the Challenge, surrender their SI-Card and continue (if they should wish to do) outwith the event organisation at their own risk.
Any rider arriving at Brampton after 13h00 will be withdrawn from the event and asked to surrender their SI-Card.
Check Points
There are three check points along the route where you will be required to dip your SI-Card into an electronic station:
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Garrigill village
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NEW FOR 2010 The Hadrian Memorial, Brampton (also feed station) is open from 11h15 to 13h00
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Nicholforest (second feed station)
Certificates and neck warmers will be awarded to riders completing the event within the limit of 10 hours on return of your SI-Card.
Food
There will be two main feedstations during the event with a limited water supply at Garrigill. The feedstation and checkpoint is at the Hadrian Memorial, Brampton (c. 58 miles – see route change) with the second feedstation at Nicholforest (c. 82 miles). Whilst these will be adequately stocked it is also advisable to take your own food just in case!
The Route
The route is fairly simple to follow though all riders will be issued with a route card upon registration. There will also be signs on all junctions and marshals at strategic points along the route.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a slight route change to provide access to the new feedstation location in Brampton. On entering Brampton along the B6413 there is a right turn onto Tree Road, left onto Station Road then a further right crossing the A6071 (with care) to the Hadrian Memorial where the feedstation is located. There will be additional marshals along this stretch of the route but please exercise caution when turning right.
Breakfasts, Refreshments and a Bar!
William Howard School will be serving 'light' breakfasts on the morning of the event for both competitors and supporters. The Dining Room will be open afterwards, which will enable everyone to celebrate and recover.
Sponsorship
One of the prime benefactors of the Cumberland Challenge is the Eden Valley Hospice. If you would like to raise monies on your own behalf for the hospice then please download a sponsorship form by clicking on the link below. We really value your contribution to this worthwhile cause. Additionally, any surplus generated from the organisation of the event will be donated to the Eden Valley Hospice and the Great North Air Ambulance.
Eden Vally Hospice Sponsorship Form
Accommodation
For those of you travelling to the event why not make a weekend of it. There are a number of accommodation options at various rates from the luxury to the standard. For further information please telephone the Brampton Tourist Information Office on 016977 3433.
Have we forgotten anything? We hope not. But if we have or if you should have any queries before the event please do not hesitate to e-mail Chris at info@thecumberlandchallenge.co.uk and he will be only to happy to help. Also remember to keep checking the website for any last minute information.
Thanks to all the riders this year, a total of £4000 was raised for The Eden Valley Hospice and a further £800 for the Great North Air Ambulance. A donation of £750 was also made to the Special Needs Department of Ullswater Community College in memoriam of our websie designer's wife who had died earlier in the summer as a result of cycling accident.
A great effort and well done to all those involved.
Read rider Fleccy's report on the event.
Photographs taken during the event are available to view and purchase online at our official photographers web site www.mybibnumber.com.
Thanks to all the riders this year, a total of £6836 was raised for The Eden Valley Hospice and a further £1000 for the Great North Air Ambulance. A great effort and well done to all those involved.
Special mention to local rider, Simon Long, who completed his first Cumberland Challenge this year. In addition to a £100 donation to the Eden Valley Hospice he raised a further £6000 for Community Action Nepal for his achievement. Well done, Simon.
For photographs of this years event go to http://www.mwphotography.net/
Organisers of the Cumberland Challenge recently presented a cheque for £5000 to the Eden Valley Hospice from the proceeds of the 2007 event. It was excellent to discover that the Eden Valley Hospice had also received an additional £3,300 raised by individual sponsorship from entrants.
The organisers also recently presented a cheque for £1000 to the Great North Air Ambulance.
Our photographers braved the harsh weather conditions.
We took over 1200 images of the riders climbing the cobbles
of Alston and struggling up the final climb to Kershope.
Go to the photographers website at www.kennedyimages.co.uk
to view.
Our own gallery of the 2007 event
has been uploaded and is available via this
link
The '2006 Event Gallery' has now moved to this link
A PDF of feedback we have recieved from cyclists who took
part in the this years event is available by clicking
this link - 2007
feedback
£1000 presented to the Great North Air Ambulance.
 On
Wednesday 22nd November 2006 the Challenge organisers
and 2006 Cumberland Challenge Sponsor, Initial Fire and
Security, gathered with the crew and paramedics of the
Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance to present them with a
cheque for £1000 on the helipad outside Carlton
Hall Police Headquarters in Penrith.
The team offer the public a vital service that we all
hope we will never need. Travelling at 140 mph they can
reach the furthest boundaries in our region within 20
minutes, the average time from take off to scene is 8
minutes, well within the ‘Golden Hour’ &
can land almost anywhere.
£2500 presented to Eden Valley Hospice
On Monday 13th November 2006 the organisers of the Challenge
were pleased to present Eden Valley Hospice with a cheque
for £2500 from the proceeds of the 2006 Cumberland
Challenge.
For more details on the Hospice and the excellent support
and services it offers to those with terminal or life-limiting
conditions please click on the Eden Valley Hospice logo
above.
We would also like to thank all the volunteers from the
Hospice that gave up their time to help us on the day
of the Challenge. We are also aware of the many competitors
that personally raised monies for the charity for which
the Hospice have expressed their gratitude.
Thanks for 2006
The organisers would like to thank all the volunteers
and marshals who helped to make the event run smoothly.
They did a fantastic job and judging from the numerous
emails we have already received should get medals as well.
We would also like to thank all those companies and individuals
who have supported this event whose help we very much
appreciate and we hope you will all be back next year
to make the 2007 event bigger and better.
Finally thank you to all the riders who battled through
some pretty tough conditions but hopefully you were rewarded
with some good riding though our great countryside and
once the aches and pains have passed you will look back
on the 2006 Cumberland Challenge with fond memories and
be back next year.
Thank You,
Mike, Andy, Dave, Chris & Karen
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