Get ready for Tour de Yorkshire - Conquer Cragg Vale

Tour de Yorkshire is coming so why not get into the spirit with one of our ‘Get ready for TdY’ themed rides in April, where we take on the iconic Cragg Vale climb.

We will start by climbing to the top of the hill above Sowerby, with some fantastic views across Calderdale, and then descend towards Sowerby and pick up route 68 towards Mytholmroyd along quiet lanes. Then we descend into the bottom of the valley to get to the start of the Cragg Vale climb and take on the whole climb all the way to the top at Blackstone Edge.

This climb featured in the 2014 Tour de France on stage 2, and riders descended it in the 2015 Tour de Yorkshire, stage 3. It is thought to be the longest continuous climb in England and ascends 968ft over 5.3miles.

We will be tackling it at a steady pace (not more than 10mph average for the whole route, much slower up the climb) and you don't need to be able to cycle up the Alps like the pros to get to the top! Luckily it isn't a steep climb with the majority being a fairly shallow gradient. There is a steeper section at the top of the village, but it doesn't last long and then we will be on the moors where the gradient flattens out and there are great views. At the top of the climb we have an easy roll back to Craggies for a drink and a snack.

This route has fantastic views and includes the full Cragg Vale climb, which isn't steep but which takes us from the valley bottom to the top of the Pennines

Most of the route is on fairly quiet rural roads

We will stop at Craggies cafe at the end of the ride

Don't forget to bring some change and a bike lock for the cafe and a spare inner tube, just in case!

We aren't aiming for speed on this ride!