A long distance enduro-cycle event, designed to challenge all levels of experience, will take people on an exploration of the Aire Valley.

The CyKlesportive, the first of its kind in the district, will include routes ranging from 30 to 80 miles and raise money for Manorlands, the Sue Ryder hospice at Oxenhope.

It has been designed by Keighley sports supremo John Dennis, the driving force behind sportKeighley, a partnership set up to promote physical activity, especially cycling and running. He also heads up a team that organises the annual Keighley BigK run and the BronteBigK Mountain Bike Challenge.

The CyKlesportive will take place on Sunday, July 18, and Mr Dennis is inviting cyclists of all standards to take up the challenge from junior or novice level through to professional.

The 88-mile route will take in some spectacular scenery, including what cyclists call The Murder Mile, from Silsden to Cringles and the climb from Saltaire village to the top of Baildon.

The circular route will include 21 climbs and a cumulative ascent of more than 8,100ft, including one of the steepest short sections of Goose Eye Brow out of Goose Eye village in the Worth Valley. Sue Ryder fundraiser Andrew Wood said he hoped the challenge would become an annual event in the cycling calendar. He said: “I’ve looked at the routes and I’m staggered that anyone would want to put themselves through this event, especially the 88-mile route which even John found tough when he tested it recently. “Yet Cyclesportives are really growing in popularity and we hope that the stunning landscape, the challenge, the routes for all abilities and the good cause of Manorlands Hospice will make a large number of people sign up to this event.” All routes aside from the traditional Race the Train start and finish at the new Leeds City College, Keighley Campus, where participants will get a barbecue meal on their return.

Anyone who wants to sign up or for more information visit the website brontecyklesportive.org.uk Those who want a paper entry form or who are interested in sponsoring the event should phone Mr Wood on (01535) 640430 or e-mail andrew.wood@ suerydercare.org.