Struggle Dales

The Struggle Dales sportive route is 108 miles long, taking in 9,300ft over six climbs set within North Yorkshire’s stunning scenery along the region’s best cycling roads.

This year we're flipping Struggle Dales on its head and taking on the route from a different direction. This includes taking on the epic ascents of Trapping Hill and Malham Cove from the harder side, plus many more iconic Yorkshire climbs.

Although there’s some challenging uphill segments, there’s plenty of fun segments too. Cycling Weekly reviewed it as: "One of the best sportive events in the UK."

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All Struggle sportives are run for cyclists - by cyclists! From caffeine gels for your final push home and pork pies when you've had enough of sweet energy bars, to a mechanical hotline and sag wagon support and encouragement marshals willing you up the major climbs... and much more...

• Fully Signposted
• 3 Feed Stations
• Mechanical Support
• Finisher Medal
• Finisher Bidon
• Free Photos
• Chip Timing

All participants under the age of 18 must submit a consent form completed by their parent/guardian to [email protected] before the event. Parental consent forms are available for download from the British Cycling website. Riders under the age of 16 must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

There is ample free parking at the start and finish and toilet facilities. There is a coffee van serving up a pre-ride caffeine kick and we have post ride nosh and beers at the finish. There is no running water or showers, so please come with your water bottles pre-filled.

Our roving mechanics are on hand to get you back on the route should you have an issue. We do however recommend everyone knows how to repair a puncture and come equipt with the tools and spares to do so. We also have marshals throughout the route, roving medical support and well-stocked feed stops and a broomwagon. Our friendly team is there to ensure you succeed in completing your Struggle challenge.

Our feed stops are designed to get you around in the best possible shape. We don't deal in jam sandwiches. We have sourced the best sports nutrtion for endurance cyclists. Our feeds include products from Maurten including their "magic juice" energy drink and gels. We also have Veloforte energy bars which are a joy to devour. There's also bananas and other snacks including moral-boosting Haribo!

There are cut off times but these are very generous to encourage everyone to make it around the route. We suggest steadier riders sign-on the day before and start as early as possible.