Struggle

The Struggle sportive takes you off Yorkshire’s beaten track and over some of the most narrow, steep and unforgiving climbs. Here we talk you through what to expect when you tackle Hartwith Bank.

Local Knowledge

After a warm-up over Bedlam Hill you’ll hit Hartwith Bank at mile 10, a climb not as forgiving as its precursor.

This secret segment is unknown to the outsider. But rather than shooting through Summerbridge on their way to tackle the infamous Greenhow Hill (which comes later), hardcore locals swing right behind the highstreet and straight up onto this hidden hill.

Out the Saddle

Hartwith...

Winter is the perfect time of year to focus your training on improving technique and iron out any bad habits. Team Struggle shares their top turbo session to help improve your leg cadence. 

Up your Revs

Speeding up your leg cadence will help lower fatigue levels during those long hours of Struggle training and ensure that on Struggle Dales you’ll hit those last climbs with looser legs.

Struggle's Matt said: "As a racing cyclist it's important for me to keep my legs as fresh as possible, especially throughout longer road races. I rely on my kick to...

Stopping the clock at a jaw-dropping 5 hours 40 minutes, this dad of four with a heavy work schedule explains how time-efficient training helped him conquer The Struggle. 

Bike-Life Balance

My cycling passion comes a clear third after my family (patient wife and four kids) and a very busy work life that has me travelling from Harrogate to London for a few days every week.

I’ve been a keen cyclist since the age of 13 with a brief appearance for Team GB MTBing as a 17 year old. 2016 was a great and varied...

It’s Rachael's story that sticks in our minds here at Struggle HQ. We often recall Rachael to encourage anxious procrastinators whose curser hovers over the enter button. Here full-time solicitor and mum of two tells us why anyone with strong will can complete the Struggle.  

Image: Rachael on the Struggle Dales finish line with her club mates

Do I, Don't I?

“I had lots of pre-event nerves and was regularly making the decision not to start the sportive as it’s only for the faster cyclists. Well, it’s not!”...

Top Physiologist Craig Stevenson talks us through his tough turbo training session to increase maximal sustainable pace and get you riding faster for longer.

“Winter is the perfect time to focus on improving weaker areas of performance,” says Craig who heads up performance testing and coaching at the OTE Performance Centre in Leeds and has developed his own online training software Vitfor.

“With a sportive like the Struggle in the Yorkshire hills - with lots of long, sustained climbs - having the ability to sustain a higher...