Cumbria's friendliest cycle sportive will roll in and out of Cockermouth on Sunday October 2.

Riders who sign up for the fifth annual Jennings Rivers Ride will have the choice of four new routes.

Proceeds from the event will go to Cumbria Community Foundation, the charity behind the flood recovery appeal.

Cheryl Frost, event organiser, said: "We felt the time was right to reboot the event and moving from Keswick to Cockermouth gave us the opportunity to create four new routes.

"There is something for everyone on the Jennings Rivers Rides, from families and occasional riders to hardcore cyclists who want to test their mettle against an epic new Lake District sportive challenge."

The Jennings Rivers Ride was created after the 2009 floods.

The original routes launched in 2011 followed the water courses that were affected by the flooding and used bridges that had been repaired or rebuilt.

Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: "The severe storms in December caused flooding across the county and affected more than 5,000 homes.

"Many roads, bridges and footpaths were destroyed.

"One of our original routes along the old railway line between Keswick and Threlkeld is severed, having lost two bridges and a large section of cycle track.

"Our Flood Recovery Appeal has raised almost £10 million to help the county recover from the devastation. I’d encourage anyone who can ride a bike to have a go at the Rivers Ride and help raise money for a good cause."

Jennings Brewery has sponsored the event since its inception and the business found itself flooded in both 2009 and 2015.

Sarah Grave, on behalf of the brewery, said: “The work we did to protect our premises after the 2009 floods, helped us get back up and running quicker this time and we were brewing beer again in late January.

"As a company, we’re delighted to see the Jennings Rivers Ride move to our home town and are pleased to be able to support such a great fundraising event.”

The Jennings Rivers Ride attracts regular teams from companies across the county. The Low Level Waste Repository Team have taken part in every single event. Last year they rode in memory of their colleague, Milton, who sadly passed away in 2015. Their team of 23 raised £5,000 for Cumbria Community Foundation.

Iggesund Paperboard Ltd is another firm that supports the rides, Jonny Lowe, Head of Human Resources said: “The riders last year had a fantastic day and the team numbers have grown year on year. Iggesund encourage people to get involved and support events and initiatives to do with health and well being. It is the inclusiveness of the Rivers Ride which appeals, never mind what level you are at, you can take part, from those just getting into or returning to cycling the Family Ride is ideal and there is something for the keen cyclist in The Big Day Out. The event is brilliantly organised and it feels very safe, which is important when a company is encouraging people to take part.”

The routes offer a treasure hunt for families at one end of the riding spectrum, or an epic day out with 3,000m of ascent at the other and the two other routes offer a little bit of everything in-between:

THE ROUTES

Family Ride Trail Quest - £16 for one adult and two children

Key stats: Plan your own route from the 'Treasure Map' and ride for as long as you want – up to two hours. For riders of all abilities.

This year the Family Ride format is changing to a treasure hunt on wheels. This on- and off-road challenge is designed for mountain, hybrid and cyclocross bikes and will see families plan and navigate their own route around a cycling orienteering / Trail Quest course spurred on by the challenge of collecting treasure (chocolate coins). Whether you collect one coin or all of them every family who returns with a coin wrapper (we anticipate they'll be empty at the end) and pops it into the draw is in with the chance of winning a prize.

The Community Challenge Ride - £32

Key stats: 44kms / 27.5 miles – 860m of ascent – one feed station.

The Jennings Rivers Ride Short Route has always been a tough but do-able challenge for the not so regular rider and this year's new route is no exception. You may be glad to hear that Whinlatter Pass has gone but it's been replaced by, no less challenging, rolling roads with the odd cheeky climb (or two).

The Foundation Fandango - £32

Key stats: 84kms / 52.5 miles – 1,650m of ascent – two feed stations.

A shade over 80km / 50 miles on some of the finest roads and lanes the North Lakes has to offer. Don't let the absence of the big name passes kid you into thinking this is just a normal 50 mile ride – with over 1,600m of ascent and a route profile that's either heading up or down – this is a beautiful ride and is one to savour.

The Big Day Out - £32

Key stats: 134kms / 83.75 miles – 3,008m of ascent – three feed stations.

An epic new Lake District sportive route that offers the same climbing challenge of a big day in the Alps or Pyrenees. The signature triple pass challenge of The Big Day Out – Whinlatter, Newlands and Honister – remains but are now at the start of the route. After that the climbs get a little shorter and lower but they more make up for that with their quantity! A real saw-tooth route profile and one that offers views of some of the best scenery in the Lake District.

MORE DETAILS AND ENTER HERE:

http://www.ratherbecyclingevents.co.uk/events/the-jennings-rivers-ride/