The Roman road challenge and The Croston Crusade

The Roman road challenge and The Croston Crusade 

Sunday 25th May 2014

• Location: Edge Hill Sport, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk. L39 4QP 
• Date: Sunday 25th May 2014 
• Description: Cycle Sportive 
• Roman Road Challenge - 80 miles 
• Croston Crusade - 36 miles 

Roman Road Challenge – 80 miles (min. age 16yrs) = £17 

Croston Crusade – 36 miles (adult entry i.e. 16yrs & over) = £14 

Croston Crusade – 36 miles (youth entry i.e. under 16yrs n.b. min age 12yrs and all under 16yrs must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event) = £10

(Age as at 31 December 2014) 

An exciting new cycle sportive with a start/finish area which will allow riders to make use of the excellent facilities at Edge Hill Sport on campus at Edge Hill University in Ormksirk. 

The event has been designed in consultation with Harry Middleton Cycling Club, Vital Eventsand The Bicycle Lounge – both organisations will also be providing an integral part of the event experience on the day. The event will take place using British Cycling 'Non-Competitive Event Guidelines and Best Practice' - available here.

Riders will be started in groups at regular intervals from 0800hrs to avoid congestion on the roads. 

The incredibly scenic but testing 80 mile 'Roman Road Challenge' takes riders over Hunter's Hill, Rivington Reservoir, Foxholes, Matchmoor, past Belmont Village and out to Edgworth onto the infamous Roman Road for 6 undulating miles before returning past Tockholes, Brindle, Hillhouse Lane, Walton le Dale, Midge Hall, Croston and Mawdesley. The route has been designed to challenge the most experienced rider and offers over 4500ft of climbing and a maximum gradient of 13% but it will also accomodate riders with less experience due to the fact that much of the climbing takes place in the first 50 miles (see route profile below). This will allow either a very speedy final 30miles or a more leisurely ride back to the finish - dependant on how your legs feel after The Roman Road! 

The 36 mile 'Croston Crusade' will follow the same route as the 'Challenge' out of Ormskirk and over Hunter's Hill but then at the 12.5 mile point the 'Crusaders' will head North towards the Eastern edge of Mawdesley/Croston Moss and into Croston then crossing over the River Yarrow, the River Douglas and the Leeds-Liverpool canal as riders head West and then South through Holmeswood and past Mere Sands Wood before travelling though Rufford and back onto the Moss but now on the opposite side. Then past Mawdesley and across Hoscar Moss to return to Edge Hill Sport via Blythe Lane, Castle Lane and Westhead. The route has been designed with the less experienced or younger rider in mind but it will still offer a challenging climb within the first 10miles and over 1100ft of climbing with a maximum gradient of just over 11%. 

The club with the highest combined number of finishers across both routes will be presented with the inaugural - 'Harry Middleton Trophy' 

Each route will see finishers graded into categories as below based upon time taken to complete the course (n.b. there will be a course cut off at 1630hrs which will see the 'Broom Wagon' collect any remaining riders that will not be clear of the course by this time, if however riders prefer to finish the course outside the event jurisdiction this is possible but be aware you may not receive a time due to the Start/Finish area also closing at 1630hrs);

The Roman Road Challenge

Emperor - less than 4h45m

Centurion - 4h45m to 6hrs

Gladiator - 6hrs+

The Croston Crusade 

Emperor - less than 2h30m 

Centurion - 2h30m to 3h15m

Gladiator - 3h15m+

The event will also include; 

• Fully Signposted Routes
• Fully Equipped Race HQ
• Free custom designed drinks bottle for participants
• Free Parking at Start/Finish Area
• Free Changing Facilities & baggage storage
• Free refreshments at Finish Area
• On Route Feed stations incl free gels, energy bars
• Exhibitors and Cycling Expo at Start/Finish area
• Mechanical and Emergency Support including 'Broom Wagon'
• Electronic Timing
• Live results at Race HQ and online
• Individual Results via SMS text
• Emailed Results and Finishers Certificate
• Free British Cycling Public liability insurance for all participants

For more information about routes & event details please visit:

Vital Events -The Roman Road Challenge