A bottom gear of 39 x 27 or 30 x 23 is recommended

The ‘Big G’ route maps are available from this site. All routes are ridden in an anti-clockwise direction.

Please note: all the routes have been revised slightly from previous years to avoid using the main road out of Beverley and also to avoid two right turns. The specific routes can be found at the 23km Route62km Route103km Route pages.

Technical information

Recommended Gearing

The steepest climbs on the route are 1:6 (15%) and are about 2 miles long. A bottom gear of 39 x 27 or 30 x 23 is recommended, although fitter riders may find that they can manage with 39 x 23. The choice is yours.

Tyre Choice

Although the majority of the roads are in reasonable condition, both routes have some places where the tarmac is in poor condition and are prone to gravel/flint washing on to the route especially after heavy rain. The use of ultra-light tyres is not recommended.

Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons tyre

Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons tyre

A 23mm section, good-quality 700c such as the Continental GP4000/Grand Prix or similar is ideal. A 25mm tyre is even better to help soak up some of the rough patches. Many of the roads are steep, narrow and twisty and extreme care should be taken on the descents.

Routes have less than one mile of the route on ‘A’ roads, with the majority on minor, unclassified roads and these should be almost traffic-free. Throw in the stunning views, and the meandering, beautiful dry valleys of Thixendale and Millington, and you have all the ingredients for a truly memorable day out.

Please note: This year we have removed the 160km route. The latest starting time is 9.00am and the cut-off will close at 11.00 am (after approximately 40km). This is to ensure all riders are back at the HQ no later than 4.30pm to allow riders to enjoy the full experience of a warm meal, a hot drink and time to savour the day’s efforts. We hope you understand, because in previous years some riders were still out on the course well after 6.00pm, which causes problems for the organisers.