I'll be riding the Tour de Yorkshire Sportive again this year. This time I'm taking on the roads and steep climbs where I grew up and where Olive's grandparents still live. It was a no brainer to ride for Olive. 

Any donations welcome. 

The 100km route:

"With so many of the climbs exceeding 15 per cent gradients in places you will need to be on top of your climbing game." - Cycling Weekly

This route option starts with a tough early climb up the locally renowned Pea Road Lane before joining the pro route for a section on Hunshelf Hall Lane. After another climb away from Millhouse Green it’s a long descent into Holmfirth, well known as the home of BBC’s Last of the Summer Wine for 37 years. Riders will then head towards Meltham, requiring them to conquer the hill at Netherthong, before heading through an undulating section featuring the villages of Honley and Farnley Tyas.

During the next part of the route riders will take on another tough uphill section, this time leading to the Emley Moor transmitting station whose tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the UK. Other highlights include a descent to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, passing the spectacular Cannon Hall before visiting Silkstone and Silkstone Common.

Riders then take on the same roads as the professionals again as they go through Wortley and into Deepcar, before they face an epic climb from Ewden Village which is sure to test even the strongest of riders. After a section through Wigtwizzle follows the last notable climb up to Bolsterstone, before the triumphant descent to the finish at Fox Valley.

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