Festival of Cycling

ALL NEW ROUTES FOR 2026
100k & 50k road, or 70k & 40k off-road – you decide! – along the rolling roads & tracks of South Leicestershire & Northamptonshire

We are delighted to announce that the Festival of Cycling is back for a 11th Year.

Race information

There are four distance options. Newly designed 100k and 50k road routes, plus newly designed 40k and 70k off-road options suitable for cross and MTB. All routes take in some beautiful rolling roads and tracks throughout South Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

The road routes will be well signposted using yellow Cycle Route signs. They will also be marked on the ground in places using spray paint. GPX files for all routes will also be provided.

Cyclists riding the off-road route should be following the routes on a device – GPX files will be provided, as the off-road routes will be only be marked using black arrows, black and yellow tape, and orange spray paint on the ground, to identify turns/navigation that may require more clarity than the GPX files provide.

Entries

Entries will open soon and are priced at £35 for each route.

If you want to swap your entry distance you can do so by emailing info@raceharborough.co.uk any time up to a week before the event date. Entries, and transfer of entries, will close 2 days before the event.

Entry includes a hot meal post-ride.  This year, the food served will be pizza.  A vegan/gluten free option will be available. Hot and cold drinks will also be available to buy at the finish.

E-Bikes

E-bikes are permitted, but as the event is insured by British Cycling we need to conform to their guidelines which are as follows.

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are permitted provided that they comply with The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 SI 1983/1168

Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) – any electric bike that meets the following requirements:

- Be fitted with pedals that can propel it
- Have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts
- Cut off electrical assistance when it reaches 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

Any form of e-bike that does not comply with the above (eg, ones with a “twist & go” throttle) are not permitted.

Start time/location

Riders can start from 08:00.

Ride HQ: Kibworth Mead Academy, Smeeton Road, Kibworth, Leicester, LE8 0LG.

The routes

The routes for 2026 will be available in due course.

On-course support

As with all Race Harborough events, there will be professional first aid on hand at the start and finish with the ability to access cyclists on the routes.

There will be one feed station on all routes.  This will be at approximately halfway.  There will be a selection of food and hot & cold drinks options including both sweet and savoury treats, keeping sugar and salt levels topped up.

Prizes

All finishers will receive a bespoke event medal.

Free event photos!

As with all Race Harborough events – you don’t pay for your event pics! Free digital downloads of your event are available to download soon after the event finishes and we’ll announce their availability on our Facebook page.

Latest updates

For the latest updates about this and other Race Harborough events, please Like & Follow the Race Harborough Facebook page.