Get set for JE James and DT’s Flagg Challenge for Ashgate Hospice

The fourth annual DT Flagg Cycle Challenge hopes to attract up to 200 riders and once again raise thousands of pounds for the Chesterfield-based hospice.

Our 2015 event will set off from the hospice from 9am, on Sunday, July 26, with breathtaking views including Chatsworth House and testing climbs through Sheldon, Birchover and Stanton-in-the-Peak.

Derbyshire Times editor Graeme Huston said: “We want this year’s event to be bigger and better and together with JE James and Ashgate we’ve some great ideas to get as many people and teams involved as possible to help the hospice. There are plans for an entrants’ role of honour and training and diet programmes and we’ll provide some great tips on how to boost your fundraising and fitness. So for now get the date in your calendars and get training.”

The 2015 event will feature a choice of a 50mile or a 25mile ride, a new improved map and guide, marshals and rider marshals, refreshments and plans for riders to keep up to speed on developments and have their say with interactive web and social media bulletins with some great new features.

Hospice spokesman Charlotte Gratton said fundraisers are essential to help the hospice reach its £4.3m annual running costs target.

Entrants will receive sponsor forms, fundraising and training tips and maps. Entry will be £20 and a date for entry form availability is to be released very soon. In the meantime, those interested can contact DT reporter Jon Cooper on 01246 504524 and [email protected] or the hospice’s Charlotte Gratton on 01246 567250 or [email protected].

The Route:

Both the 50 and 25mile Flagg Challenge 2015 rides set off from the hospice and will go from Baslow to Calver crossroads and back down to Ashford-in-the-Water before continuing.

The 50milers will head on to a steep climb up to Sheldon and the 25milers will return to the hospice via Baslow.

From Sheldon, the 50milers will roll out over Flagg before reaching a JE James feed station at Monyash and then drop down to Middleton before having to navigate a narrow, technical stretch to Elton. Riders will then be tested on the climb to Birchover and Stanton before coming back to Baslow via Rowsley and Edensor.

Cyclists will then have to overcome the steep drag out of Baslow back to Ashgate where they will be crowned.