Sunday March 4th is the date for perhaps the UK's most scenic early season sportive, as the Eden Valley Epic returns for its sixth edition.

Everyone's heard of the Lake District, and any cyclist who's tackled the Fred Whitton Challenge will have the climbs of Kirkstone, Honister and Hardknott etched painfully into their memory. But just a few miles to the east lies the gentler, though no less picturesque, landscape of Cumbria's Eden Valley.

Kick off your season by exploring the undulating lanes of east Cumbria on the Eden Valley Epic.
Kick off your season by exploring the undulating lanes of east Cumbria on the Eden Valley Epic.

Set among the shapely fells of the Howgills and site of the ancient Celtic kingdom of Rheged, the Eden Valley has long been beloved of ramblers - but why should they have all the fun? It's perfect for cycling, too, and what better way to explore it than the Eden Valley Epic sportive.

Based in Penrith - which film buffs may recall as the holiday destination in 1987 comedy Withnail and I - the Eden Valley Epic is a perfect season opener with an undulating 60-mile course.

Setting off from Penrith Leisure Centre in Cumbria, the route initially heads south towards Orton village before looping north to Appleby-in-Westmorland for the halfway food stop.

The 60-mile route starts in Penrith and carefully avoids most of the local 'big beasts'. But watch out for a sting in the tail...
The 60-mile route starts in Penrith and carefully avoids most of the local 'big beasts'. But watch out for a sting in the tail...

The homeward leg then weaves its way through fantastic cycling lanes, via Dufton, Milburn and Langwathby. The route is undulating and has been carefully selected by organisers Epic Events to be just epic enough for the time of year.

It does not climb any major hills or mountains - although plenty are available in the locale for those looking to make a weekend of it. Great Dun Fell, rated as one of the toughest climbs in England, is only 15 miles from Penrith...

The Eden Valley Epic has its own sting in the tail, promise the organisers, but reward comes in the form of hot refreshments at the finish; not necessarily "the finest wines available to humanity", but you should be able to score a cup of tea or coffee to wash down your jacket potato.

And the icing on the cake? You'll have a chance to rub shoulders with Sportive.com reporters Olly and Abby. The pair are saddling up for their first sportive of the year, and already looking forward to it.

"The first sportive of the year is always greeted with a slight air of trepidation mixed with excitement, but we're ready to go for the Eden Valley Epic," says Olly.

"The b&b is booked, the bikes are prepped and the kit is ready. Hopefully the winter miles and the hours sat pedalling on the turbo trainer in the garage will pay off and our legs will work as well."

Abby, as ever, has set an ambitious target: "I've been tempted out of  hibernation early by the Eden Valley Epic," she says; "I'm looking forward to not getting frostbite."

Will she succeed? You'll be able to read all about it in our post-ride report; but better yet, get on your bike and join them!

A few final places are still available until entries close at noon on Thursday 1st March. Entry is priced just £25 and includes hot food at the finish, free action photographs and - new for this year - a bespoke event medal.

For full details and to book your place, visit the event website at www.epicevents.co.uk.

0 Comments