Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross facts for kids
The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross is a super tough annual bike race in Yorkshire, England. It's a special kind of cycling called cyclo-cross, which mixes road cycling with off-road riding. Riders have to cycle and even carry their bikes over three big mountains: Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-ghent. The Bradford Racing Cycling Club organizes this exciting event every year on the last weekend of September.
What's the Race Like?
The race course has changed a few times over the years. When it first started, it was about 40 kilometres long. In 1980, it got longer, reaching 47 km. Then, in 1982 and 1983, it grew even more, first to 50 km and then to 57 km. The last change happened in 1994, making the course 61 km long.
Today, the race begins near Helwith Bridge, which is about 3 km south of Horton in Ribblesdale. From there, cyclists take on the challenge of Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-ghent. It's important to know that you can't cycle the whole course at other times of the year. This is because some parts of the race go through private land.
For most of its history, only special cyclo-cross bicycles with drop handlebars have been allowed. However, in the 1980s and early 1990s, mountain bikes were also permitted. It wasn't until 1979 that female riders started competing in the event. Also, there were no races in 2001 or 2007 because of foot and mouth disease in the area.
Awards and Prizes
There's a total of over £5,000 in prize money for the winners!
Riders who finish the race also get special certificates based on how fast they complete the course:
- Elite - If you finish in under 3 hours 30 minutes, you get an Elite certificate.
- 1st class - If you finish in under 4 hours, you get a 1st class certificate.
- 2nd class - If you finish in under 5 hours, you get a 2nd class certificate.
- Merit - All other riders who finish the race get a merit certificate.
Past Champions
Here's a list of the amazing athletes who have won the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross over the years:
| Year | Male Winner | Female Winner | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 |  John Rawnsley (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1962 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1963 | Ian Craig (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1964 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1965 | John Bell (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1966 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1967 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1968 | Tom McDonald (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1969 | John Atkins (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1970 | John Atkins (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1971 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
- | Keighley St. Christopher C.C.C. |
| 1972 | Chris Wilkinson (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1973 | Barry Davies (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1974 | Barry Davies (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1975 | Barry Davies (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1976 | John Atkins (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1977 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1978 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1979 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
Brenda Atkinson (GBR) |
Ron Kitching/Sun Tour |
| 1980 | John North (GBR) |
Susan Hoare (GBR) |
Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1981 |  Arthur Manz (SUI) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1982 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
Susan Hoare (GBR) |
Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1983 | Richard Bates (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1984 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
- | Norton Wheelers |
| 1985 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Christine Walker (GBR) |
Chesterfield Coureurs/Ness |
| 1986 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Janet Sanger (GBR) |
Chesterfield Coureurs/Ness |
| 1987 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
- | Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1988 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Emma Wood (GBR) |
Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1989 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Melanie Grivell (GBR) |
Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1990 | Fred Salmon (GBR) |
Melanie Grivell (GBR) |
Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1991 | Nick Craig (GBR) |
Isla Rowntree (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1992 | Fred Salmon (GBR) |
- | Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1993 | Fred Salmon (GBR) |
Alison Garside (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1994 | Chris Young (GBR) |
Alison Garside (GBR) |
Ace R.T./Peugeot or Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1995 | Andy Peace (GBR) |
Jacqui Foster (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1996 | Andy Peace (GBR) |
Ruth Gamwell (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1997 | Chris Young (GBR) |
Mari Todd (GBR) |
Pace Racing/Pace Satellite TV |
| 1998 | Chris Young (GBR) |
Sue Thomas (GBR) |
Team Marie Curie/Pace Satellite TV |
| 1999 | Ian Cuthbertson (GBR) |
Kali Exley (GBR) |
Team Marie Curie/Pace Satellite TV |
| 2000 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Sue Thomas (GBR) |
Helly Hansen - Giant - MBI |
| 2001 | No race - foot & mouth disease in the area | ||
| 2002 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Science in Sport.com |
| 2003 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2004 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2005 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2006 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Isla Rowntree (GBR) |
Scott UK |
| 2007 | No race - foot & mouth disease in the area | ||
| 2008 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Heather Dawe (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear |
| 2009 | Nick Craig (GBR) |
Renee Saxton (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Cannondale/Gorebikewear |
| 2010 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Renee Saxton (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Cannondale/Gorebikewear |
| 2011 | Nick Craig (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Crosstrax |
| 2012 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) |
Team Hope Factory Racing |
| 2013 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Delia Beddis (GBR) |
Jedi Cycle Sport |
| 2014 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Verity Appleyard (GBR) |
Jedi Cycle Sport |
| 2015 | Paul Oldham (GBR) |
Jules Toone (GBR) |
Hope Factory Racing |
| 2016 | Paul Oldham (GBR) |
Delia Beddis (GBR) |
Hope Factory Racing |
| 2017 | Paul Oldham (GBR) |
Christina Wiejak (GBR) |
Hope Factory Racing |
| 2018 | Paul Oldham (GBR) |
Christina Wiejak (GBR) |
Hope Factory Racing |
| 2019 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Kerry MacPhee (GBR) |
Hope Factory Racing |
| 2020 to 2021 | No races due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2022 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Victoria Peel (GBR) |
Hope Factory Racing |
(source: "Results and Roll of Honour", 3 Peaks Cyclo-cross official website)
