A new sportive is being planned to replace the Marie Curie Etape Pennines, which organisers recently announced was being cancelled for 2015 due to apparent lack of interest and opposition from some locals.
The new Roof of England Sportive is set to take place on Sunday 30 August 2015, with three courses on offer including a 90-mile route named 'The Winking Sheep' which features an eye-watering 2,750m of climbing. Two further routes, The Durham Dales (53 miles) and The Short Course (31 miles) are also planned for the sportive, which is based in the village of St John's Chapel in County Durham.
The event is being organised by the Roof of England Cycling Club, who also promote a selection of free-to-ride courses through the North Pennines as well as other practical information for cyclists visiting the area.
Roof of England Cycling is run by Cameron Gordon of the Chatterbox Cafe in St John's Chapel, where visitors can hire bikes to explore the surrounding countryside.
Speaking to the Northern Echo, Gordon said: "The Etape has gone and we have got some of the best cycling roads in the country so it would be a crying shame if we did not have our own event.
"We have got all the towns and villages on the route involved too - it's going to be the ride of people's lives."
According to the Northern Echo the new event has already gained widespread support and is well on the way to reaching its sign-up target in order to make the event happen.
Entry has been set at £25, with riders given the option of donating an extra £10 which will be shared between the event's two chosen charities, Mountain Rescue and the Great North Air Ambulance.
For more information and to register, visit www.roofofenglandcycling.co.uk.
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