Record turnout for Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge

More than 3,500 riders signed up to take part in this weekend’s 2010 Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge sportive.

All sorts of cyclists, from pros to club cyclists to children, took on the 33, 63 and gruelling 104 mile routes in Northumberland – with the 63 and 104 mile options featuring revamped courses for this year. 

The Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge is England’s biggest sportive and is part of the massive Northern Rock Cyclone Weekend of events taking place all weekend.

The action started on Friday night (11 June) with Endura rider Jack Bauer storming to victory in the elite category of the Leazes Criteriums. Today (Sunday 13 June) the weekend will be rounded off when the pros take on the prestigious Beaumont Trophy, which dates back to the 1950s and was won last year by Olympic and Tour de France star Bradley Wiggins.

Commenting on the weekend so far, organiser Peter Harrison said, “A big thank you to everyone who’s ridden and cheered riders on so far this weekend. The Northern Rock Cyclone is bigger and better than ever this year – and it’s only cycling fans of all sorts and sponsors that make it possible.”

Full details of the Northern Rock Cyclone weekend are available online. You can also follow the event on Twitter and by joining the ‘Northern Rock Cyclone’ group on Facebook.