The Keswick Sportive

A climbing sportive in the northern Lake District with a choice of distance and of the amount of ascent/descent to suit all abilities. The Keswick Sportive is held as part of an outdoor sports festival over the weekend: 7-8th June 2015. With spectacular roads and stunning scenery this event will be a highlight of the season.

The sportive is unique in that it allows you to opt for a level of challenge as you ride. If you are feeling fresh you can extend from the 2 Passes to the 4 Passes or from 4 Passes to the full 6 Passes.

Your challenge…you choose!

EVENT DETAILS - SUMMARY

• Choose your own level of challenge from three distances and three levels of climbing
• The perfect sportive for those wanting to test themselves for the first time on the legendary Lakeland Passes or for the seasoned climber wanting a little more action
• Three distances: 28 miles over 2 passes; 55 miles over 4 passes; 66 miles over 6 passes
• Event centre/registration - Crow Park, Lake Road, Keswick, CA12 5DJ
• The event start/finish will be a short distance from the event centre
• Starts from 7:30 - 9:30am; registration from 7:00 - 9:15am
• Si timing giving overall time and split times for each section
• Fully signed route; route card/emergency contact and mechanic support vehicle
• Feed Station at Buttermere for all routes
• Parking and refreshments included in the entry
• Event start/finish location map and on the day procedures link
• GPS and route map link (2 passes) link (4 passes) link (6 passes)
• Event entry fee £28

6 Passes Route: A 105km route for the climber wanting a challenge with a total of 2200m of ascent in a figure of eight loop. Starting in Keswick the route heads up and over Whinlatter Pass to Lorton and Buttermere before the climb up to Newlands Pass. Descending through Stair and onto Grange, it tackles Honister Pass from the north, then back down the valley for the second ascent of Whinlatter. Finally, the route turns south for the next ascent of Newlands and the last pull over Honister and the finish in Keswick.

4 Passes Route: The 90km course offers 1150m of climbing, ideal for those wanting to tackle some of the big climbs but in a shorter route. The route is the same as the 105km until the second descent of Whinlatter where riders take the left turn at Stair heading to Grange and the lakeshore route back to Keswick.

2 Passes Route: This 46km route has a total of 550m of ascent and is a good introduction to the higher passes. The start is the same as the longer routes with the ascent of Whinlatter to Lorton before heading along the valley to Buttermere. The final climb tackles Newlands Pass and descends quickly to the hamlet of Stair and then Grange. The final leg follows the scenic lakeshore road and back to the finish at Keswick.

For all routes we recommend a compact chainset or a triple!