The Etape du Dales is a

cyclosportive A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually. The Italian term '' Gran Fondo'' is commonly used for these events in the United States, Australia and so ...

held in May each year, in the

Yorkshire Dales The Yorkshire Dales is an upland area of the Pennines in the Historic counties of England, historic county of Yorkshire, England, most of it in the Yorkshire Dales National Park created in 1954. The Dales comprise river valleys and the hills ri ...

in the UK. It was originally established as an alternative to the oversubscribed

Fred Whitton Challenge The Fred Whitton Challenge is a charity cyclosportive event held annually in the English Lake District, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Cumbria's air ambulances, the mountain rescue service and various youth cycling projects. It is held in me ...

; like the Fred Whitton, the Etape du Dales is a long day's ride over steep hills, and the proceeds go to charity - the Dave Rayner fund. It is ranked as one of the most popular and challenging sportives in the UK, covering with of climbing and is considered one of the top ten rides in the UK.

Raynet The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network, also known as RAYNET, is a British national voluntary communications service provided by amateur radio operators. It was formed in 1953 and exists to supplement national communication channels in the event ...

provide communications support.

Route

The Etape du Dales route is considered challenging. The route starts and finishes at Wharfedale rugby club in

Grassington Grassington is a market town and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. The population of the parish at the 2011 Census was 1,126. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is situated in Wharfedale ...

. The route has varied slightly over time, but now includes

Fleet Moss Fleet Moss is a upland area separating Wharfedale from Wensleydale in North Yorkshire, England. The area is above sea level (although nearby peaks and the road achieve higher altitudes). Fleet Moss is noted for its peat blanket bog, which has b ...

, Tan Hill Inn (the highest pub in England),

Buttertubs Pass The Buttertubs Pass is a high road in the Yorkshire Dales, England. The road winds its way north from Simonstone near Hawes towards Thwaite and Muker past limestone potholes called the Buttertubs. It is said that the name of the potholes came ...

, and Coal Road. In 2009, the route was , with around of ascents; in 2011, the total distance was . A shorter, gentler route, known as the Presidents Ride, is also available.

Fastest times

References

{{reflist, 2

External links

Etape du DalesDave Rayner fund
Cyclosportives in the United Kingdom Yorkshire Dales Cycling in Yorkshire

Route

Fastest times

See also

References

External links