The Magnificent Seven 2019

About

The Magnificent Seven is a unique cycling event in Sheffield. Not for the fainthearted, the race is a cross between a sportive and a hill climb that invites participants to face seven of the city’s toughest and most challenging hills.

The 2019 event will feature five new climbs. The full route is just over 23 miles long, presenting each rider with over 3,200ft of climbing around Sheffield, with inclines ranging from 9 to 23 per cent.  Spectators are welcome and encouraged on all of the 7 climbs.

Entries for The Magnificent opened back in February, with the veteran and senior categories selling out within hours. This is now the fourth running of this unique event and to cope with demand the field has been increased to 150 cyclists, (60 veteran, 60 senior and 30 women places) with the minimum age being 16 to enter.

So how does it work? Cyclists ride with motorbike escorts and lead cars between each of the seven hills, where the riders then gather at the bottom of each climb before racing for points to the summit. This year, all riders will receive points depending on their finishing position on the climb which count towards the grand prize of being crowned King or Queen of the Mountains, for which the winners receive a trophy.

Both men and women are encouraged to ride with equal prize money for both categories and there’s also a prize and trophy for the over 40 year old riders, as the fastest veterans are awarded points and battle for a separate prize list.

Each of the seven climbs will be subject to a full road closure managed by Sheffield City Council, giving the competitors the unique chance to race up traffic-free closed roads, something only professional riders normally have the opportunity to do.

The ride is aimed at local amateur club riders and all entrants will receive refreshments before and after the ride, culminating with a prize-giving presentation at the end of the event. Each rider will also receive a free cycling buff for their efforts.

Spectators are really encouraged to come out and make some noise, using cow bells if they’ve picked them up in previous years, musical instruments or anything you can bang, rattle or whistle.

The event will once again start and finish in Bradfield – a picturesque Peak District village which sits within the Sheffield boundary just seven miles outside of the city centre.

Hill Climb Times:
Start at Bradfield Village Hall at 09:00am

Climb 1 Storrs Lane
Men Start at 9:15am
Women & Vets Start at 9:16am
Strava:   Men 3:05 / Women 4:08
Leave at 9:30am

20 minute social ride in between climbs

Climb 2 Hagg Hill
Men Start at 9:50am
Women & Vets Start at 9:51
Strava:     Men 3:34 / Women 4:59
Leave at 10:00am

5 minute social ride in between climbs

Climb 3 Ranmoor Crescent 
Men Start at 10:05am
Vets Start at 10:06am
Women Start at 10:07am
Strava:     Men 1:13 secs / Women 2:04 secs
Leave at 10:15am

9 minute social ride in between climbs

Climb 4 Harcourt & Spring Hill
Men Start at 10:24am
Vets Start at 10:25am
Women Start at 10:26am
Strava:      Men 1:16 secs / Women 1:48 secs
Leave at 10:38am

3 minute social ride in between climbs

​​​Climb 5 Blake Street
Men Start at 10:41am
Vets Start at 10:43am
Women Start at 10:45am
Strava:    Men 25 secs / Women 43 secs
Leave at 10:55am

9 minute social ride in between climbs

Climb 6 Waller Road
Men Start at 11:04am
Women & Vets Start at 11:05am
Strava:    Men: 1:37 / Women: 3:01
Leave at: 11:18am

13 minute social ride in between climbs

Climb 7 Long Lane
Men Start at 11:31am
Women & Vets Start at 11:32am
Strava:     Men 1:13 / Women 2:04
Leave at: 11:44am

20 minute social back to Bradfield HQ.

Bonus Climb - 8 Cote de Bradfield
Handicapped start at 12:15pm
Men 5:55
Women 9:52
Finish at: 12:25pm.

The full route can be seen here:   https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/22401029

The Magnificent Points
All of the seven climbs will have the same number of points on offer and points gained over all of the climbs will go towards a final total to determine the winner and placings.  Points will be awarded in order of crossing the finishing line at the summit of each climb. This will be the same for the women and veteran riders.

The top 5 in each category will receive prizes (see below). In the event of a points tie, the winner will be decided by the number of highest placed finishes over the seven classified climbs. 

The Magnificent Prizes
There will be a King of the Mountain and Queen of the Mountain Trophy awarded to the rider with the most points in both categories. There will also be prizes awarded for the top 5 and one spot prize per climb. These will be presented at the end of the ride at the HQ approximately 1:00pm. Please stay around you may win a prize!

Minimum provisional prize list for both men and women riders. Vets prizes will also be the same.

1st - £100.00 plus KOM / QOM Trophy

2nd - £50.00

3rd - £40.00

4th - £30.00

5th - £20.00

Trek Sheffield Spot Prizes on all of the 7 classified climbs

The Magnificent Refreshments
There will be hot drinks and pastries before the event and hot drinks and past pots after the event. There will also be a bar at the Village Hall.

Keep your eyes on @Sheffrec_CC and The Outdoor City Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels for the latest announcements.