Tour of the Black Country

The Tour of the Black Country is inspired by the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix. It includes a total of thirteen unpaved gravel and cobbled sectors, varying in length from 600m to 1800m – all of which are passable on a standard road bike.

Each sector is rated according to difficulty; one star being the most straightforward, five stars being the most difficult. The five-star sectors include the ‘Waltonberg’ cobbled climb.

The route finishes, as does Paris-Roubaix, on a large outdoor velodrome, at Aldersley Stadium.

The roads of the Tour of the Black Country are mostly traffic-free, and the majority of the unpaved sectors are closed to all traffic. The cobbles, unpaved gravel roads and the velodrome finish make the Tour of the Black Country one of the most unique, challenging and exciting events in Britain.