Welcome to the Ronde Van Calderdale 2023 event, we look forward to welcoming all new riders and all returning riders. Thank you for choosing the RVC as one of your 2023 events.

The RVC 2023 is a cobbled climb classic around the Calderdale and Kirklees districts with a great combination of  dramatic scenery, fast road sections and the added dimension of many different profiles of cobbled climbs. 

Our website www.rondevancalderdale.org offers a wealth of information about the event.

The 2023 event will feature two distance options providing all levels of ability with the opportunity to enjoy this unique event. For those looking to challenge the cobbles but not overdo it, make your turn at feed station 2, this takes you towards HQ and a 54+ mile distance. However, do not be fooled, it still takes most people over 4 hours. If you are feeling good and want the full experience then keep going at feed station 2 and put in the top loop. Your total distance will be about 74-75 miles and will see most people finish in about 5.5+ hours. The course record was broken in recent years at under 4 hours 20 mins.

Both ride distances test the skills, stamina and endurance of every rider entering, and its great to see so many riders coming back each year. The RVC volunteers are a team of decent folk all dedicated to cycling, ensuring you have a memorable day with great support and the funds raised are directly helping young riders at Kirklees Cycling Academy. We can now boast multiple Team GB riders and Mason Hollyman who is now with Israel Premier Tech and rode the Tour of Britain in 2021 and 2022. We also have two of our younger riders, Seth Jackson (signed for Agrog-Tormans (feeder team for Quickstep Alpha-Vinyl), Luca Bednarek (Team GB) and Matti Bell (current Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross champion) all budding Pro-Riders of the future.

The entry fee will include a fully signed route, three well stocked feed stations with plenty of choice and a big Yorkshire welcome.

Registration will be outside at HQ and whilst we have some changing and toilet facilities we will remain mindful of rider welfare and observe any guidance on health and safety at HQ and feed stations. We have over 200 on-site parking spaces available, and additional parking is available nearby. Many local riders are able to arrive on bikes given the central nature of the route in Calderdale and Kirklees. Catering options will be limited so please bring supplies for the start and end of your ride.

The event will have around 300+ signs to keep people en-route, before and after each junction, road markings on more difficult to sign junctions and we have larger signs for the main 14 named climbs too.

We look forward to greeting you on May 21st and updating you via both the British Cycling email system, www.rondevancalderdale.org and via our Facebook page, Ronde Van Calderdale where you can request access and our moderators will ensure you can enjoy the banter and images of past rides and preparation tips for the next event.

See you soon - Happy safe cycling everyone.....

Please note, we do not offer refunds as the administration is a pain and now we are beyond Covid, we would prefer to not transfer / defer entries to 2024. This has worked so far as all funds go the club and everyone involved is a volunteer, giving their time as cyclists, for cyclists and we have up front costs for gifts, food and premises to pay for that we cannot get back either.

Our team of RVC volunteers look forward to welcoming you, supporting you and looking after you throughout the day.

A unique RVC gift, our now infamous Championship Winning Pork Pie (the pie is the limit) and a bottle of RVC celebration ale will be provided to every rider on the day upon completion.

Info for Riders

Start times will commence from 09:00 staggered at 2 minute intervals. The entry fee is £30. Your entry includes 3 x well manned feed stations a unique Ronde Van Calderdale gift and some special ale. Starting from Spen Valley High School (Roberttown Lane, Roberttown, WF15 7LX). This ride is a local version of the infamous Tour of Flanders and will include up to 14 cobbled climbs. The Route will be well signposted before and after each junction along the ride. A garmin file will be available to download before the event for those needing one on www.rondevancalderdale.org. Please note, we sometimes need to undertake minor re-routing due to local road works, so please use the file as a guide and follow the RVC signs on the day. This is a ride using open roads therefore the highway code must be followed at all times.