ABOUT five hundred riders are expected to descend on a small Durham Dales Town this weekend, for a sporting event designed to show off the quality of the region’s road cycling.

The Roof of England Sportive is the idea of Dales businessman and cycling enthusiast Cameron Gordon, owner of the Chatterbox Café, in St. John’s Chapel.

The event, which runs through Allendale, Weardale, Teesdale and Alston Moor, is replacing the former Etape Pennines event which was axed last year due to lack of interest.

The main attraction is the 90-mile “Winking Sheep” which was named because the mapped course is said to resemble a cheeky ewe’s head.

And competitors will have to tackle more than 2779m of England’s highest roads when they take part in the event on Sunday, August 30.

Cyclists will set off in groups of 20 at separate intervals, with elite cyclists starting first.

Two shorter options for riders are also on offer but organisers say they will still challenge cyclists as the 50-mile Durham Dales route includes nearly 1500m of climbing while the 30-mile Short Course tops 1000m over three major summits.

Talking about the event, Mr Gordon, said: “The quality of the riding in the Durham Dales is a more than a match for anywhere in the UK.

“The Durham Dales have always struggled economically. They have to find new ways of attracting investment.

“I believe we can promote “The Roof of England” to riders who want to experience the best and encourage them to return and bring their friends.”

Mr Gordon uses his cafe as a base for the Roof of England Cycling Club and already has 250 members on Facebook who are currently competing to take top spot on the leader board for the “Chapel Challenge”, a route devised by Mr Gordon, which packs 7,400 feet of climbing into a 50-mile ride.

Cameron believes the Roof of England event will prove more durable than previous events, organised by national sportive companies especially as no roads will be closed and a litter pick will be carried out immediately afterwards.

He added: “This is a true “old-school” sportive event, organised by riders for riders”.

The event falls the day after the Weardale Agricultural Show and will be surrounded by other amusements for families and friends who are not taking part in the rides.

Once costs are covered, any money left over will be split between the North East Air Ambulance and the area’s mountain rescue services.

For more information visit roofofenglandcycling.co.uk