ROUTE

The route for the 2010 edition of the RADAR RIDE is predominantly the same as the 2009 edition with a few minor tweaks.

For this, the third edition of what started out in '08 as the Southern Uplands Sportive, we have returned to our original dramatic summit finish. Due to refurbishment work on the radar station at the top of Lowther Hill, the 09 finish was moved across the ridge to the summit of Green Lowther. At 732m it is 7m higher than Lowther hill but the feedback from competitors suggested a preference for the radar station denoument.

The RADAR RIDE 2009 has the choice of 3 route options; the 105 mile RADAR RIDE, the 65 mile JUNIOR RADAR and the 40 mile BABY RADAR.

THE RADAR RIDE

At 105 miles and 2,300m of climbing the RADAR RIDE is where it all began. The RADAR RIDE doesn't boast the fearsome stats of some other UK sportives but don't be fooled - it is still a challenge and a half and most definitely not one to be underestimated! Read the stories or feedback from 2008 to get a true picture of what's in store. Click here for the full route or here for the elevation profile.

THE JUNIOR RADAR

In response to requests from competitors in the debut event, 2010 sees the return of our intermediate distance. At 65 miles the JUNIOR RADAR only misses out on the major climb of the Wall of Talla whilst still taking in the Dalveen Pass, Greenhillstairs, the Devil's Beeftub and the summit finish at Green Lowther.

The JUNIOR RADAR follows the route of the RADAR RIDE to the first feed station at Greenhillstairs. The route then drops to the junction with the Devil's Beeftub. Here, the RADAR RIDE goes left but the JUNIOR RADAR turns right and descends into Moffat where it does a loop of the town before climbing back up the Beeftub and re-tracing its steps to Elvanfoot.

From here the JUNIOR RADAR turns right towards Leadhills and Wanlockhead before completing the final lung-bursting ascent to Green Lowther. Click here for the full route (follow arrows 1-4 then at the junction of B719 and A701 turn right to Moffat before tracing arrows 8-10 to finish) or here for the elevation profile (ignore the pink section).

THE BABY RADAR

As a late edition to the 2008 debut event, the 40 mile BABY RADAR has proved to be hugely successful. Billed as the toughest short course sportive in the UK, more than half the distance is up hill including the tortous 9 mile ascent to the telecommunications installation at the top of Green Lowther - the highest road in Scotland. 

The BABY RADAR traces the same route as its longer siblings to Elvanfoot before turning left and heading for Leadhills, Wanlockhead and the final climb to the summit finish at Green Lowther. Click here for the full route (follow arrows 1, 2, 3, 10 to Finish) or here for the elevation profile (ignore the pink section)