Cyclone Challenge Rides - Sunday 5 July 2025

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The Cyclone Challenge Rides

Date: Sunday 5 July 2025

Event HQ Location: Newcastle Red Bulls’ Kingston Park Stadium, Brunton Road, Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8AF

what3words location of car park entrance - ///popped.jelly.bliss

HQ Parking - booking details coming soon

ENTER RIDE

With four beautiful routes through the finest Northumberland landscapes, the Cyclone Challenge is one the must-do sportives of the UK cycling calendar. All four routes have been revised for 2026, with the longest (102 mile) option featuring over 20 miles of fresh roads, most of them spectacularly located in the wilds of Northumberland National Park.

The Event In Brief

Starting from the spacious and well-equipped Newcastle Falcons Rugby stadium, on the edge of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the Challenge Rides rapidly transport you into the picturesque and challenging landscapes of the Northumbria National Park: quiet roads take you along beautiful river valleys over remote moorlands and through pretty villages.

The 2026 event takes place on Sunday 5th July. Choose a route to suit your cycling ability, fitness, age and experience: there are 35, 66, 83 or 102 mile options.

Enter online and then simply turn up on the day and enjoy the ride, while we look after the rest. Plentiful parking (just off the A1), covered sign-on and facilities, electronic timing, mobile mechanical support and up to four feed stations mean you can concentrate on enjoying your ride on the quietest roads in England against the backdrop of lovely Northumbrian countryside. There are also lots of “top-up” culinary delights in several village halls (the local community embraces and welcomes the event and its riders) and a range of pubs on the routes.

New For 2026

Our routes have undergone a significant refresh for 2026. All four share 5 miles of new country lanes relatively early in the rides, around the hamlet of Shilvington. For the three longer routes, there's another very pretty new section of a couple of miles just north of Meldon.

All three longer rides also feature an attractive new run down from the top of the Ryals climb to the village of Matfen. This adds perhaps a mile and is on a couple of very quiet minor roads.

However, it's the longest ride (102 miles) that's had the biggest overhaul, incorporating over 20 miles of fresh roads. Most significant is the inclusion of the Gibbet climb, immediately after the feed at Elsdon, which opens up some exciting new opportunities soon afterwards: after descending past Harwood Forest, you'll soon be heading westwards for five miles on a beautiful single-track road past Sweethope Loughs, a section never used in the Cyclone before.

This then sets up riders for the exciting descent into Bellingham off Buteland Fell, which is a great favourite amongst local riders. Again, this is appearing in the Cyclone for the first time.

With further tweaks to the route on the approach to Wark (a lovely straight run across Wark Common before dropping into the village) and after the Birtley feed (5 miles of new route, parallel with the North Tyne river and through the pretty village of Barrasford), there's a real freshness to the revised route.

We've also shortened Route c from 93 to 83 miles, making it a more bridgeable gap between the 66 miles of Route B and 102 miles of the revised Route D.

The Four Routes

Ride A 35 miles (Green Route): Designed for families and riders who want to enjoy the countryside without any large hills. The route is undulating, passing through a number of pretty villages, including historic Stamfordham, where there is a feed station (plus the famous village hall cafe). View Map

Ride B 66 miles (Blue Route): This ride is hilly and not without its challenges, but short enough to enjoy if you're not a dedicated cyclist. for cyclists who want a challenge. A little previous training is recommended as the ride ventures into the hills of Northumberland, especially after the first feed. The Ryals climb (featured in Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs), comes just before the final feed and is the highlight of the ride for many. View Map

Ride C 83 miles (Red Route): This route has a distinctive flavour of its own, though it now shares the famous ascent of Winters Gibbet (one of the UK's 100 Greatest Climbs) with the 102 mile route. The ride also includes the triple-ramped and famously steep Ryals climb. With regular climbing throughout its 83 miles, the route requires good levels of cycling fitness and experience. There are feed stations at regular intervals, all well-stocked, plus cafes and village stalls at a number of other points. View Map

Ride D 102 miles (Black Route): The toughest route and an excellent challenge for more experienced cyclists. Extensively revised with 20-plus miles of new roads for 2026, this route is rolling throughout, with eight significant climbs distributed through the mid section, with the deceptive and steep Ryals providing a fitting climax to the serious ascents. To keep you going, there are 4 feed stations (not to mention numerous cafes and village hall tea rooms) en-route. Riders competing this distance will have the additional challenge of achieving Gold, Silver or Bronze Standard for their ride. The standards are set as follows: Gold, under 6 hours; Silver, between 6 hours and 7 hours; Bronze, over 7 hours. View Map

Entry Fees & Early Bird Discount

Navigation: We recommend all riders familiarise themselves with their route. Use a GPX file (we will email your GPX file with your final instructions), or carry a map. Although all routes are fully signed, occasionally signs have been removed maliciously - please have a backup plan. We advise you download and use the What3Words app to help us locate you, should you need to summon help.

The Rider Support Package

Feed Stations: All our Feed Stations will be handing out water, energy drinks, bars and bananas. These will be plentiful and are free to all participants. Many of our riders also take advantage of the amazing selection of hot drinks and cakes/sandwiches, made by the local villagers and on offer around all four routes. Feed stations are located as follows:
- 35 miler: Stamfordham
- 66 miler: Forestburn Gate, Cambo, and Stamfordham
- 83 miler: Forestburn Gate, Elsdon, Cambo and Stamfordham
- 102 miler: Forestburn Gate, Elsdon, Birtley and Stamfordham
All Village Halls en route now accept card payments apart from Elsdon. However riders should carry some cash as they may stop at some places that do not accept cards.
Technical Support: Provided by Shimano
First Aid: All Feed Stations will have First Aid Facilities and are in contact with Event HQ. A mobile ambulance will also be available. Summon help using the emergency number printed on your rider number.
Timing/Tracking: We use electronic timing and timing chips to automatically record every rider's time. You will be able to download a certificate after completion of the event which will show your finishing time.
En-Route: The National Escort Group (NEG) will provide motorcycle riders to supervise and monitor all four rides. Service cars will be provided to sweep the ride routes to identify any riders in need of mechanical assistance or recovery - use emergency number on your rider number to call in case of emergencies.
Insurance: Every rider has event insurance from British Cycling, provided as part of their entry.
Goody bag - at the finish for all riders.
Parking - there are plenty of free parking options within a short ride of the start (but check local parking regulations very carefully). However, for a more relaxed start to your day book yourself a space on-site, yards from the event HQ and sign-on desks.

Registration & Start Times

Registration (number and chip collection)

Option 1: Saturday 4th July: 11am - 4pm
Location: Newburn Activity Centre, Grange Road, Newburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8ND
what3words location ///tins.report.lasted
Option 2: Sunday 5th July: Registration opens at 8am for the Ride D (102 miles). Registration for both Rides B & C (83 & 66 miles) open at 8.30am. Registration for Ride A (35 miles) opens at 9.30am. Registration closes 10.30am.
Location: Newcastle Red Bulls Kenton Park Stadium, Brunton Road, Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8AF - what3words location of car park entrance - ///popped.jelly.bliss

Start Times