Join the new 'Hell of the North' cycle ride supporting breast cancer research

It's the 13th year of Le Cure in France, and 1st year in Ilkley!

Cyclists have a new challenge this year with Le Cure’s Hell of the North, starting and finishing in Ilkley on 4th October 2026, supporting breast cancer research.

Hell of the North, is from the organisers of Le Cure de France which started in 2014, and sees cyclists [Curistas] take on some of the Tour de France’s toughest climbs in the French Alps over four gruelling days.

In its 13th year in France, Le Cure has a second new event along with Ilkley, The Classic out of London in September, and to date has raised over £3,800,000 for breast cancer research.

Le Cure 2026 is dedicated to the memory of Vicky Prynn, a wonderful, vivacious and immensely kind woman who dedicated her life to helping others and who died from breast cancer on 4 April 2026 aged 52.

The Ilkley ride will cover 107km with 2000m of climbing, which includes Barden Moor, Fountains Abbey, Menwith Hill and Burnsall Fell, all starting and finishing at Nell Bank.

At the finish, an award-winning barbecue and local beers will be waiting, and they will be a gravel track for Curistas of the future to go crazy on while the cyclists are out on the road.

Le Cure Hell of the North route

Le Cure's Dan Cullen-Shute told us: "It’s much more charity event than it is sportive, though a finisher’s medal is included in the entrance fee. We really want as many people as possible to get on their bikes, and help us raise money to cure breast cancer.”

Riders need to sign up by 9th August: further information is available at https://lecure.org/autumn-classics/hell-of-the-north/, once registered, riders will automatically receive a link to their personal Sports Giving fundraising page.

Every penny raised goes to fund vital breast cancer research at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.