British Cycling Road Race 2025
On 5th The September 2025, Warwickshire will host [insert correct name} Athletes will take part in the [insert number of miles] route that takes in every district and borough in the county, passing through varying landscapes of The Arden, Feldon and Cotswold Fringe. An exhilarating ride of varying challenges passing through urban and rural areas.
Warwickshire holds a proud place in Britain’s cycling history, with deep roots in both recreational and competitive cycling, most recently having hosted the British Commonwealth Games Road Race in 2022. This well connected has deep roots in cycling history, a stone throw from the National Cycle Archive, housed at the University of Warwick, which preserves a rich collection of documents, photographs, and memorabilia from the golden age of British cycling.
From the early days of penny-farthings to the rise of road racing in the 20th century, Warwickshire has seen it all. Many Local clubs like Lantern Rouge and the Coventry Cycling Club host events such as time trials and road races helped shape the sport nationally. Notably, the region was also connected to influential figures like Percy Stallard, a pioneer of massed-start road racing in Britain, whose legacy is preserved in nearby archives.
Warwickshire has a strong history of hosting significant races:
- 2016 Atherstone to Stratford-upon-Avon (women's)
- 2017 Atherstone to Royal Leamington Spa (women's)
- 2018 Nuneaton to Royal Leamington Spa (men's)
- 2018 Atherstone to Royal Leamington Spa (women's)
- 2019 Warwick race course to Burton Dassett Country Park (men's)
- 2019 Warwick town centre to Burton Dassett Country Park (women's)
- 2021 Atherstone time trial (women's)
Aswell as hosting significant events, the county offers everyday experiences such as sportives and a growing network of scenic cycling routes, offering much to the visitor and industry alike. Warwickshire’s history of manufacturing extends to cycling - Pashley Cycles, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, is the oldest British bicycle manufacturer, with a heritage dating back to 1926. Founded by William ‘Rath’ Pashley, the company began in Birmingham as "Pashley and Barber," producing a wide range of cycles including roadsters, tandems, and carrier bikes
By the 1930s, Pashley had carved out a niche in carrier and delivery cycles, which were built to endure the rigours of daily use by tradespeople and errand boys. During World War II, the company contributed to the war effort by manufacturing military equipment, including mounts for Browning machine guns
After the war, Pashley continued to innovate, producing everything from ice cream tricycles to motorised rickshaws. Today, they are known for their beautifully crafted, retro-inspired bicycles like the Princess, Roadster, and Guv’nor, all hand-built at their Stratford-upon-Avon factory.
Pashley remains a symbol of British craftsmanship, combining traditional techniques with modern design, and continues to export its cycles to over 50 countries worldwide.
Those gearing up to move from the past glory to the future thrill of the race can follow the action here via British Cycling.
