Rider Information -2025
WELCOME
I’d like to welcome you once again to the Rayner Foundation Etape du Dales now running for over 25 years! Starting and finishing at a new venue – Horton Pavilion, Pavilion Playing Fields, Horton in Ribblesdale, BD24 0HT home of the Three Peaks Challenge. ///twisty.contracts.pipe
The Etape du Dales GRVL route is 95km (60 miles) in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.
The event travels through some very remote and exposed countryside where for large distances there is no habitation and certainly NO MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE. Please do not treat your entry lightly and remember to respect this tremendous challenge.
The Etape du Dales GRVL route is an tough challenge and requires an excellent level of fitness. It takes in many major climbs in the Yorkshire Dales and that means steep and technical descents as well. Please take care! The course is NOT sign posted but a detailed GPX file is provided - you should also be aware of the route and terrain and plan your ride accordingly.
BIKE
Please make sure your bike is in good working order and you have any spares needed. There will be mechanical support at the feed stations but there are large distances of totally uninhabited highly exposed countryside in between. NO TRI BARS ARE ALLOWED
HELMET
All riders MUST wear a helmet, no helmet no ride
CLOTHING
The course takes in high, and exposed areas, and riders may be on the road for a long time. In the past some have suffered through lack of clothing, please make sure you are adequately dressed for the weather and your physical ability. You can always take clothes off!
HQ
The event headquarters are at Pavilion Playing Fields, Horton in Ribblesdale, BD24 0HT - Using what3words, ///twisty.contracts.pipe
PARKING
The car parks open at 0630 hrs. There is parking on site at the playing fields for around 250 cars. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ON STATION ROAD or on B6479. Riders who are being dropped off at the event i.e. not parking for the duration, should use the car park in the village and NOT the event car park. Cars brought to the playing field will be refused exit during the event start window (07:30 – 09:00) as this causes conflict with riders and cars coming in.
NO cars will be allowed back onto the playing field site after 12 noon, riders being picked up must meet cars in the car park in the village.
REGISTRATION
ALL NUMBERS AND TIMING CHIPS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT REGISTRATION ON THE MORNING OF THE EVENT FROM 0630HRs
Open Tracking are providing a GPS tracker for each rider. The tracking device is tailored for endurance events & outdoor challenges. They are compact and lightweight at around 80g and can be carried in your cycling jersey's rear pocket.
The GPS data for each rider is publicly available at:
https://live.opentracking.co.uk/etapedales25/
allowing friends, family and supporters to monitor your progress along your chosen route.
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​The tracker will also be used to provide checkpoint and finish times for the event.
Failure to return the tracker on the day of the event will incur a charge .
Riders can start between 0730 hrs and 0900 hrs, and will be allowed to start in groups of no more than 20, with intervals between groups.
EMERGENCIES // RETIREMENTS (DNF)
Riders unable to complete the event MUST contact the organisers either by reporting to a RAYNET operator at a feed station or call HQ on
Emergency Number 07522 079997
to advise the organisers and prevent any emergency action.
Your GPS tracking device MUST be returned to the event HQ on the day of the event.
TOILETS
There are toilets at or close to all the feed stations. Public toilets are available in Hawes, Kettlewell, and Stainforth. In the interests of public decency and the future of the event please use the facilities provided.
LITTER
Riders are reminded to use the bins at checkpoints, DO NOT drop litter on the course, any riders seen or reported dropping litter will be removed from the event and refused future entry.
REFRESHMENTS
Feed stations/checkpoints are supplied with energy drink and are also stocked with a variety of sweet and savoury food products. We cannot guarantee quantity or variety as this depends on your fellow participants! You are responsible for ensuring you have sufficient nutrition to sustain you on the ride. Due to abuse of the feed stations on previous events, wristbands will be given to all riders at sign-on.
NO WRIST BAND – NO FOOD,
Feed station are located at:
Hawes / Wensleydale Creamery – short route [ ///theory.fairly.occur ]
Malham Tarn – [ ///bangle.establish.rivers ]
There is hot food available at the finish and there will be also a bar for refreshments.
ROUTE
The route will NOT be signed. Riders should familiarise themselves with the route information. Full route details including maps, cue sheets and GPX files can be found on the route page.
GRVL Route details
RESULTS
Times will be available to riders via text shortly after finishing. If you have not given your mobile number on your entry and wish to receive a text showing your time, please complete your number on the sign on sheet. Full results will be published on the event website within 72 hours of the finish of the event. (www.etapedudales.org).