Riders descending from Pen-y-ghent in last year's race. Photo: Tony Fickes

Three Yorkshire Dales fells, normally the domain of walkers and runners, will this weekend be a sea of colourful Lycra-clad cyclists as the annual Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race hits the fells.

More than 500 riders are expected to join the field on the gruelling 61km (38-mile) route over Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. Less than half the course – 28km – is on surfaced roads, the rest involving climbing the fells on paths and terrain closed to cyclists on all but race day, Sunday 27 September.

There is more than 1,500m (5,000ft) of ascent and between 6km and 8km involves sections which are unridable – competitors will have to carry their bikes. Mountain bikes are not allowed; riders must use only cyclo-cross bikes.

Seven-times winner Rob Jebb – also a master of the Three Peaks fellrunning race, will be looking to stamp his mark ever deeper on the event, while last year’s women’s winner Heather Dawe returns to defend her title.

The event will start at 9.45am from the Yorkshire Subterranean Society schoolhouse in Helwith Bridge, south of Horton in Ribblesdale.

Further details are on the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross website.