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 hills.

Taking place on Sunday 24 March, the 2019 event will feature five new climbs. The full route is just over 23 miles long, presenting each rider with over 4,200ft of climbing, with inclines ranging from 9 to 23 per cent.

Entries for The Magnificent Seven will open at 10am on Monday 4 February but be quick, as the veterans category sold out in less than a day last year. 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.

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