Welcome to the White Rose Classic 2022 - Ilkley Cycle Club is celebrating 10 years of running the event, the White Rose Classic is an established sportive taking you through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The event goes from strength to strength each year and to many is Yorkshire’s Premier Sportive.

In 2019 we teamed up with Nell Bank, (https://www.nellbank.org) which is the event HQ and is a perfect location for the start/finish line and post ride event village where riders can relax in peaceful surroundings.

We offer 3 routes to choose from:  

- Short route via Grassington, enjoy the unique Yorkshire scenery and friendly camaraderie of a Club-run sportive.

- Medium route via Settle for those riders looking for a challenge.

- Long route via Hawes, for an authentic Yorkshire challenge with some serious climbing.

The event fee includes fully stocked feed stops, mechanical and medical support, in addition we provide a free post ride meal to each rider in the event village. There’s also beer on tap, fresh ice cream and we’ll bring back the live music. The easily accessible HQ facility also provides ample car and bike parking.

Once again, we are pleased to make road cycling more accessible to all. Don't be intimidated: ride solo or with friends in a supportive environment where you can push yourself and help others. 

The White Rose Classic is organised and run entirely by volunteers from Ilkley Cycling Club. All profits from the event go towards promoting grassroots cycling initiatives, local charities including Nell Bank and supporting our youth development programme, along with encouraging more men and women to ride bikes as per our club motto "From Recreation to Racing." 

Info for Riders

Widely considered the premier Yorkshire road cycling sportive, the White Rose Classic offers three challenging routes which will take you into the heart of the stunning Yorkshire Dales. You will take in some of the iconic climbs which have made Yorkshire a cycling mecca. All routes start and end in Ilkley and none are to be taken lightly!

In 2021 the Grassington Short Route took riders up Norwood Edge en-route to Grassington, returning along the picturesque Wharfedale valley.

The Settle Medium Route continues from Grassington, up beautiful Littondale to Halton Gill before heading south, and the notorious climb out of Settle and the Ribble valley, returning via Wharfedale.

The epic, Hawes Long Route is a challenge for all, launching over towering Fleet Moss on the way to Hawes and on to the misleadingly quaint-sounding Coal Road from Garsdale Head towards Dent. It is a route which your head and legs will remember for years to come.

Even if you have ridden the White Rose Classic before, each year we aim to improve the event and as we are celebrating 10 years of running the White Rose Classic we are looking at tweaking the routes for a bigger challenge! 

When you are done, you can enjoy a post ride meal that's included in the ride fee listening to live music with fellow riders, in a great location and with beer on tap.  

Make sure you keep an eye on the web site and social media feeds to keep up to date:

- http://whiteroseclassic.org.uk

- https://www.facebook.com/whiteroseclassic2022

- https://www.instagram.com/wrclassic/