Event
Claiming the Sunday slot of the same weekend as 2022’s event, our sportive offers a fantastic day of cycling along the Solway Plain along a fully marshalled route, with food stations strategically placed along the way. 100km, 60km routes, as well as family friendly 25km and 3km distances. Please note, all routes take place on the same day this year, Sunday 14th May 2023.
The Solway Plain offers some of the best cycling in the UK – quiet country lanes where hills are rare and incredible views of the Lakeland Fells to the South, the Scottish Coastline to the North and West, and the Pennines to the East.
At Watchtree we are passionate about accessible cycling as well as the environment. This event encourages you to get on your bike, no matter what age or ability, and immerse yourself in the natural and man-made landscape that characterises this often overlooked corner of England. The funds raised will significantly support our charitable projects.
We have a full day of activities on offer including four different routes, all returning to our event village for an awesome finish line atmosphere!
We are also excited to launch Watchtree and Watchtree Wheelers’s brand new cycling jersey, designed and made to order by high quality sports outfitters, Halbro Sportswear! Show your support for Watchtree Wheelers by wearing yours at Cycle the Solway, cycling for leisure, or any other event you are taking part in! Available in unisex sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL and priced at £42.00 each, with 10% of proceeds going to Watchtree Wheelers. You can get yours at the same time as putting in your Cycle the Solway entry in! Just go to the route you would like to enter, and click on the option to book a ‘ticket plus jersey’.
Also, take a look at Watchtree Wheeler’s 2023 Prize Draw! For just £1 per entry, you could win a £800 voucher towards a bike of your choice, a £200 voucher towards a bike of your choice, or a £40 voucher for Watchtree’s Visitor’s Centre Cafe!
All routes are available to download as a GPX file or to view here on our website.
Please familiarise yourselves with your chosen route. On the day of the event there will be appropriate marshaling and signage to keep you going in the right direction.
Sunday’s rides include two big distances on marshalled and signposted routes, with medical and mechanical support, as well as two more sedate distances – one on the open road and one within the safe environment of our wonderful reserve. Both with marshals, medical and mechanical support.
‘The Allonby Eight’, a 108 kilometres route from Watchtree, out to Allonby on a figure of eight route. 2 Feed stations. £30 per rider, 20% off for Watchtree members
Cycle The Solway 2022 108km Gpx file download
‘Round the Island’ – 60km from Watchtree, out almost to Abbeytown and back along the coast. £30 per rider, 20% off for Watchtree members
Cycle The Solway 2022 60km Gpx file download
We also have two more sedate distances on Sunday – one on the open road and one within the safe environment of our wonderful reserve. Both with marshals, medical and mechanical support.
‘Life’s a Beach’ – a 25km from Watchtree, down through Boustead Hill to the coast road and back up the hill home! £18 per rider, 20% off for Watchtree members
Cycle The Solway 2022 25km Gpx File Download
‘Tour de Turbines’ – as many 3km loops of Watchtree’s perimeter route as you can! £8 per rider, 20% off for Watchtree members
Our Event Village will add a finish line atmosphere and all participants will receive a special Watchtree medal!
May 14, 2023 9:00 am
'Allonby 8' 108km ride £30, 'Around the Island' 60km ride £30, 'Life's a Beach' 25km ride £18 and 'Tour de Turbines' 3km Loops £8