The Three Peaks route, with Ingleborough in the distance

Walkers hoping for a peaceful stroll in the Yorkshire Dales this weekend may be in for a rude awakening.

More than 500 cyclists will set off from Helwith Bridge on Sunday morning on the gruelling route up the area’s famed Three Peaks. The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race returns after last year’s cancellation due to foot-and-mouth disease restrictions.

Six-times winner Rob Jebb – also a Three Peaks fellrunning master – will defend his title in the 61km (38-mile) event, which takes in Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Riders set off from Helwith Bridge, south of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at 9.45am. Isla Rowntree, the women’s winner of the last race, is expected to take part too.

Mountain bikes are banned from the event, only cyclo-cross machines being permitted. Practising the full course is also banned, because much of it is on footpaths or access land where there is normally only the right to walk. There is 1,500m (5,000ft) of climbing involved and competitors will carry their bikes for about 6½km (4 miles).

If you fancy spectating, there are plenty of viewpoints en route – just don’t get run over by 500 cyclists bowling down Whernside. The route goes from Helwith Bridge, through Horton and continues by road to Gill Garth, then it’s across the moorland to Ingleborough summit, down to Cold Cotes, along the road to Ingleton, Chapel-le-Dale and Bruntscar for the climb to Whernside, descending to Ribblehead.

More road racing follows to Horton, where a leg up and down Pen-y-ghent is completed before the finish at Helwith Bridge.

Full details of the 46th Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race, organised by Bradford Racing Cycling Club, are on the event’s website.