tour-of-the-black-country Sportive

The Tour of the Black Country

The Wilier Tour of the Black Country takes in 15 km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and bridleways in the West Midlands and Worcestershire, with a Roubaix-style velodrome finish. New 110km (70-mile route).

Sunday 12 May 2019

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2018 Rider Information Pack

 

tour-of-the-black-country paris-roubaix style sportive

The cobbled road at the base of the Waltonberg climb.

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The cobbles of Sector 12 leading to Walton Hill.

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Irregular and broken cobblestones.

Modelled on the epic European Classic ‘Paris-Roubaix’

The Tour of the Black Country is inspired by the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix. It includes a total of thirteen unpaved gravel and cobbled sectors, varying in length from 600m to 1800m – all of which are passable on a standard road bike. Each sector is rated according to difficulty; one star being the most straightforward, five stars being the most difficult. The five-star sectors include the ‘Waltonberg’ cobbled climb. The route finishes, as does Paris-Roubaix, on a large outdoor velodrome, at Aldersley Stadium. The roads of the Tour of the Black Country are mostly traffic-free, and the majority of the unpaved sectors are closed to all traffic. The cobbles, unpaved gravel roads and the velodrome finish make the Tour of the Black Country one of the most unique, challenging and exciting events in Britain.

The Tour of the Black Country will be held on Sunday 12 May 2019, starting and finishing at Aldersley Velodrome, Wolverhampton WV6 9NW. Registration begins at 0900 and riders can start any time they like after 0930. You can sign up using our online entry system – click on the red ‘ENTER’ button below. Entries are priced at £29. The event is promoted by Cycle Classics, who also organize the Cheshire Cobbled Classic, which includes several steep cobbled climbs, including the infamous 45% Corkscrew, and the Strade-Bianche-themed White Roads Classic which features 17 white gravel/chalk sectors.

The event is being supported by British Cycling; read the article on their website describing how the sportive came into being, and the ideas and values behind it.

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Unpaved Sectors

DISTANCE SECTOR LENGTH DIFFICULTY
13     (19 km) Enville Common 1400m   * * *
12     (23 km) The Hyde 1700m  * * * *
11     (32 km) Churchill 1600m  * * * *
FEED 1 (39 km) The French Hen
10     (61 km) Waltonberg (22% max) 600m * * * * *
9       (62km) Walton Hill 1300m   * * *
FEED 2 (68 km) The French Hen
8       (76 km) Roman Road 1200m   * * *
7       (77 km) Whittington Farm 1800m  * * * *
6       (82 km) Prestwood Drive 1600m  * * * *
5       (96 km) Gorse Lane 1300m   * * *
4       (101 km) Furnace Grange 1100m   * * *
3       (103 km) Trescott Ford 100m     *
2       (104 km) Pool Hall 1100m   * * *
1       (109 km) Aldersley 300m     *
FINISH Velodrome

Interactive Route Map

Route Profile

Unpaved Sectors

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Six-page feature on the Tour of the Black Country in April 2017 Cycling Plus

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Roubaix-style dust clouds thrown up on the fast Gorse Lane gravel sector, just 10km from the velodrome.

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Drone view of the velodrome finish of the Tour of the Black Country.

 

'The best sportive of 2014'.

- Guvnors' Assembly

'As good as you'll get in Britain, I reckon.'

- Will F.

'It’s tough to stand out in the crowded British sportive market but Cycle Classics has hit the nail squarely on the head with its Tour of the Black Country: off-road segments, cobbles, a velodrome finish, even a glass of champagne on completion. The highlight of the day was the glorious sweeps of Aldersley Velodrome for the final lap and a half of the course, just like at Paris-Roubaix. Great atmosphere and sense of being part of a special event.'

- Cycling Weekly

'I only ride a few sportives each year now in this country...The ones I usually do are the Tour of the Black Country and the Tour of Britain.'

- James T.

Wilier Triestina Bikes

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Photos: henryiddon.com

The Tour of the Black Country also features prominently in a new book by amateur cyclist Iain MacGregor, ‘To Hell on a Bike’ (published 12 March 2015), in which prepares for the ride of his life as he attempts to ride the whole route of Paris-Roubaix, a race which has obsessed him since childhood. He explores the history and culture of this extraordinary race, with insights from legends of the sport, trainers, mechanics and fellow writers, as well as those who have maintained the traditions of Paris-Roubaix since its inception over a century ago. It is the ultimate story of the ultimate cycling challenge. There is a whole chapter on the Tour of the Black Country – the sister event of the White Roads Classic – which he rode as preparation for Paris-Roubaix, and the book also discusses the origins of the White Roads Classic. This book will be of interest to anyone who has ridden, or is planning to ride the White Roads Classic, the Tour of the Black Country – or Roubaix itself!

Available now in bookshops and from amazon: 

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