Have you got what it takes to get on your bike and Ride The BoS? Have you got the strength and endurance within you to Conquer the Elements while taking in some of the most stunning scenery in the UK?
Conquer the earth: the challenge of taking on the North Yorkshire Coast and Moors - 16,000ft of climbing, 200 miles, 94 towns, villages, and hamlets.
Conquer the wind: the moorland wind in your face going uphill, the coastal breeze helping you downhill.
Conquer the fire: the burn in your legs, the sun on your back, the strength that only comes from within.
Conquer the water: the rain splashing your face and legs, the crashing waves of the coastline, the torrent of the River Esk, the trickling of moorland streams, the liquid rewards at the end of the day.
We invite you to get back to nature and join us in the annual Ride The BoS - Conquer the Elements cycle ride.
Ride The BoS - Conquer the Elements 2016 will take place over four days from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th of May 2016.
How it all began
In the year that Yorkshire hosted the Grand Depart of the Tour De France, Ride the BoS - Conquer The Elements, a challenging new cycle ride, taking in all parts of the Borough of Scarborough, was born.
Inspired and developed by the then Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough, councillors Andrew and Sue Backhouse, the challenge combined their ambition to visit every community in the Borough, during their Mayoral year, with their love of fitness in the great outdoors.
Working with a small team, led by Wayne Elliott of EDS Bikes Snainton, they put together a road based 200 mile route, starting and finishing at Scarborough Rugby Club, that took in 94 villages, towns, and hamlets. The name of the ride plays on an abbreviation of the Borough of Scarborough - BoS. It also alludes to the challenges that the riders faced from the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water, not just from the surrounding landscape but from their own bodies in the pursuit of success.
The inaugural Ride The BoS - conquer the elements took place over four days from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th of May 2014 and involved the Mayor and Mayoress and a team of 40 riders from organisations based within the Borough, tackling steep moorland climbs and brake testing descents while enjoying the sights of picture postcard villages and vibrant seaside towns.
As well as taking on the ride to fulfil their dream, and because they loved a challenge, the Mayor and Mayoress and the other riders took the opportunity of raising as much money as they could for locally based good causes.
Ride The BoS - conquer the elements is now set to become an annual charity fundraising event and the lasting legacy that the Mayor and Mayoress were determined to leave. Plans are already well under way for the ride to become an established route for future generations to enjoy, whether in the form of the original 4 day tour, 3 x one day sportive events, or for individuals and families to cycle small parts of the route whenever they want.
The potential for a lasting legacy has already been formally recognised by the organisers of the Tour De France Grand Depart 2014 Legacy Initiative, which allows Ride The BoS - conquer the elements to use the Cycle Yorkshire logo, something of which we are very proud about.
The Logo / Branding
You might be wondering where we got the idea for our unique logo from - well that's easy to explain.
When we were looking at the maps to work out our routes we quickly realised that the shape of the Borough of Scarborough lent itself beautifully to be our logo.With a squint of the eye the shape lends itself to a person astride a bike really "going for it" - something which says a lot about our time spent as the Mayor and Mayoress of this wonderful place, and something we wished to share.
The colours are indicative of the sea and open countryside, and the slant of the letters and rider are reflective of our unique topography and the bracing winds that frequent our coast.
We hope you will enjoy Ride The BoS - conquer the elements as much as we did, and continue to do - happy cycling !!
Andrew & Sue Backhouse
Mayor & Mayoress of the Borough of Scarborough 2013/14
