Major cycling event Etape Pennines that takes in Teesdale and Weardale is AXED

Etape Pennines Event

A MAJOR cycling event has been axed because it has not generated enough interest to continue.

Today, (Wednesday, November 19) sponsors and organisers IMG Challenger World (IMG), confirmed The Marie Curie Cancer Etape Pennines Event would not be taking place in 2015.

The 60-mile route, which sees more than 2,000 cyclists take on the roads of Teesdale and Weardale after starting in Barnard Castle, has been held for the last three years.

This year’s event, held on July 20, also came under fire by farmers and residents who said necessary road closures would harm tourism and disrupt haymaking after it was moved from October to the first week of the summer holidays.

Weardale county councillor, John Shuttleworth, said: “It’s an event that people do follow, but then some people don’t – something else will come along. I have had mixed comments about it so I would say it’s 50/50.”

However, Richard Varcoe, owner of Barnard Castle business, Spitfire Cycles, said: “There’s been too much pushback locally so maybe the organisers have had enough.

“It’s extremely bad for the businesses because it brings 2,000 people to the area, some of which are here for three days, so all the accommodation fills up. It’s the farmers that are complaining about it because for one day of the year they cannot trunk around in their tractors.”

IMG said it was sorry to announce that it would not be happening for a fourth year.

Managing director, James Robinson, said: “Etape Pennines has been a fantastic project to be involved with and we are proud to have given many cyclists the chance to ride this fantastic, beautiful route over the last three years.

“It is disappointing that this event will not be taking place in 2015, and we would like to thank the local community and County Durham for all of their support over the last few years.”

Durham County Council previously said the event brought in about £235,000 to the economy last year.

Nigel Dodds, strategic manager of culture and sport at Durham County Council, said: “We are disappointed to lose the Etape Pennines which we believe introduced many people to the stunning beauty and visitor offer of the Dales.

 “However we understand and respect IMG’s decision.

“Being part of the etape from its concept has allowed us to gather a wealth of experience which we will now use to enrich the range of cycling events which the county has a growing reputation for hosting.”

Via Northern Echo -Major Cycle Event Etape Pennines Gets Axed

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Home Page – Etape Pennines – New Route NOW Live for 2014

Etape Pennines no longer going near Deerness Valley, missing out Rowley, Longedge Lane, Ragpath, Waterhouses, Hamsterley.

Now shortened to around 60 miles, route descends down Crawleyside into Stanhope but includes Bollihope Common to Teesdale and back to START at Barnard Castle.

Etape Pennines not so tough for 2014 ! Also moved to 20th July, same day as Wiggle Northern Angel Sportive !

Home Page – Etape Pennines.

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Well Bank – Nr. St Johns Chapel and Ireshopeburn, Weardale County Durham

Well Bank, near St Johns Chapel in Weardale, County Durham.

Steep Climb this one, part of the Etape Pennines 2013, goes left again so far up, thern another steep climb hairpin.

Ouch !

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Etape Pennines – Businesses face road closures as major Bike Sportive heads through town

RESIDENTS and businesses have been warned to expect road closures while cyclists race 78-miles round County Durham in front of 3,000 spectators.

The 78-mile long Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines road race will this year take place on Sunday, October 6.

A series of meetings is to be held this month for residents to find out more about the roads affected and to offer them the opportunity to raise any issues.

Representatives from event organiser IMG Challenger World and officers from Durham County Council will be at the meetings to provide information and to answer questions. People who live or run businesses along the route have been encouraged to attend.

Nigel Dodds, the council’s strategic manager for outdoor sports and leisure, said: “Last year the event attracted competitors from around the world and brought a huge boost to the local economy, in excess of £235,000.

“However, we recognise that while the event brings a number of benefits to the region, the necessary road closures inevitably cause some disruption.”

The race starts on Harmire Road, Barnard Castle, and it heads through the Durham Dales, Weardale, Teesdale, Esh Winning, Crook and Hamsterley Forest.

The meetings are at: Cowshill Village Hall, on June 24, at 6.30pm; Crook Civic Centre, on June 25, at 6.30pm; Teesdale Leisure Centre, on June 26, at 7pm.

Details on the road closures can be obtained from IMG on 020-8233-5900, between noon and 2pm Monday to Thursday, or by emailing info@etapepennines.co.uk. A map, can be found at http://www.etapepennines.co.uk/roadclosures.

via Businesses face road closures as major bike race heads through town (From The Northern Echo).

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Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines : Course Map Released

Start & Finish Location
The 2013 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines will start and finish on Harmire Road, on the outskirts of Barnard Castle, County Durham. Please note this is a change to the 2012 event start and finish, Ushaw College. We advise you consider this start and finish location when planning your travel and accommodation.
Distance & Course Profile

Distance 77.6 miles

Total Ascent 2,313 metres

Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines : Course Map.

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Dame Sarah backing the top-class Etape Pennines (From The Northern Echo)

BEAUTIFUL BUT BRUTAL: Last year’s 78-mile Etape Pennines was a resounding success – this year’s event on Sunday, October 6 is expected to be bigger and better with an increased field of 3,000 taking part

via Dame Sarah backing the top-class Etape Pennines (From The Northern Echo).

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World-famous sportsmen prepare for Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines

With less than a week to go until the inaugural Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines, excitement is building in Durham for the event which is being tipped as one of the toughest on the British sportive calendar.

The 2,500 riders will be in great sporting company as the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines recently confirmed that, not only is three time Olympic medalist Rob Hayles riding the 78 mile route, but he’ll be joined by former England test cricketer Steve Harmison. After rising to fame playing for Durham County Cricket Club, Steve was selected for England and went on to win the Ashes back in 2005. Chosen as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2005, he is widely regarded as one of the world’s all time best fast bowlers. In fact, Shane Warne named Harmison in his list of 50 greatest cricketers, stating: “on his day, he is one of the most awkward bowlers to face in the world”. Now playing for Yorkshire, Steve loves to ride his bike to maintain his fitness levels.

After taking on the gruelling 78 miles of the closed road race, riders will be welcomed at the finish by two local football legends; Steve Harper and Lee Cattermole. Steve Harper is Newcastle United’s long serving goalkeeper spending 19 years at the club. Steve enjoys cycling and can usually be seen riding in the quiet lanes of Northumberland as part of his pre- season training. Lee Cattermole who is the captain of Sunderland FC only last week went out on his bike in the local Durham trails to test himself on the gruelling hills around the region.

Local Marie Curie Nurse, Paula Grufferty from County Durham said: “Marie Curie Cancer Care provided over 37,500 hours of free nursing care to terminally ill people across County Durham and North Yorkshire last year, as well as providing vital care at the Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle.

“As a Marie Curie Nurse, I see first hand the incredible difference this care makes to those who are terminally ill, and their family. If you’re taking part then I’d urge you to raise funds to help the charity to continue to provide these services to people in the North East.”

James Robinson, MD of organisers IMG Challenger World (and a local Newcastle boy himself) is delighted that the first event is just around the corner: “We’ve been working closely with the council and it is a really great feeling to know that the region has got behind this first event which is already set to be one of the leading cycling events in the UK.”

The rolling 78 mile route and promise of breathtaking County Durham countryside has certainly caught the attention of the ever growing cycling community and press, with the UK’s leading cycling magazine ‘Cycling Plus’ recently publishing a preview saying the route is ‘deliciously dramatic’ and ‘marvelously memorable’. The event is set to fill the shoes of its big brother, the Etape Caledonia, which an independent survey found boosted the local area economy by over £1million as a result of the event in just its third year.

To find out more and register your interest in the 2013 event, visit the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines website at www.etapepennines.co.uk.

World-famous sportsmen prepare for Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines.

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2012 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines preview – YouTube

Highlights from the recent press ride during which a selection of sponsors and media previewed a section of the 78 mile closed road course.

The inaugural Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines, Englands first closed road sportive, takes place on the 7th October 2012 .

Close to 3,000 cyclists are expected to mount the start line in County Durham for this beautiful event which has already been dubbed the ‘tougher younger brother’ of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia.

via 2012 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines preview – YouTube.

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Etape Pennines Cycling Event – information for residents -Durham County Council

A major cycling event with more than 2,000 competitors is heading for County Durham.

The Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines event, organised by IMG and supported by Durham County Council, will take place on Sunday, October 7.

Competitors from across the UK, Europe and Canada will tackle the 78-mile course, which begins at Ushaw College before moving through the south and west of the county and finishing back at the college.

During the event road closures and parking restrictions will need to be put in place and residents who are affected are being invited to information sessions.

Three sessions have been organised to take place in Crook, Middleton-in-Teesdale and St John’s Chapel, where residents on the route may be affected.

The first event will take place on Tuesday, June 25 at 6.30pm at Crook Golf Club. This is primarily for people living in Witton Park and the High Jobs Hill, Low Jobs Hill, Rumbey Hill and adjacent areas of Crook.

On Wednesday, June 26 an information session will take place for Teesdale residents who live on the route at 6.30pm at Middleton-in-Teesdale Village Hall.

And on Thursday, June 27 residents in Weardale who live on the route are invited to a meeting at 6.30pm at St John’s Chapel Town Hall.

Local residents are invited to attend the meetings to find out about how they might be affected. Details of the Etape event, including a route map, can be found at http://www.etapepennines.co.uk

Ends.

via Press Release-Durham County Council.

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Etape Pennines Press Ride 2012 – a set on Flickr

The Etape Pennines 2012 Press Day.

The 2012 Etape Pennines will take place on the 7th October 2012 in County Durham, England.

Entries and Information can be found at the event website

www.etapepennines.co.uk

Etape Pennines Press Ride 2012 – a set on Flickr.

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