The V-Sprint Cheshire Cobbled Classic is a tough 105km (65 mile) sportive inspired by the Tour of Flanders - the Belgian one-day classic. 

It features 12 cobbled sectors, including five cobbled climbs that exceed 20% in gradient. The most notable of these is the frighteningly steep (and soon-to-be-legendary) corkscrew - a twisting, snaking cobbled road whose 45% maximum gradient makes it the steepest climb in the country.

The Cheshire Cobbled Classic starts in Wilmslow and passes through the attractive (and affluent) towns and villages of the Cheshire plain to the south of Manchester: Alderley Edge, Mottram St. Andrew and Prestbury.

At Bollington, however, the route changes dramatically in character, where it enters the Peak District National Park and continues via Rainow, Kettleshulme and Whaley Bridge, taking in the spectacular Goyt Valley and the Fernilee and Errwood reservoirs. The little-known corkscrew is located in a remote setting east of Rainow, and is followed by the surprisingly tough cobbled climb of Start Lane (33% max).

The route contains a significant amount of climbing overall – roughly 1800m in total – and the event builds to a climax as it returns towards Wilmslow on the iconic Swiss Hill, a 25% cobbled climb in Alderley Edge, which is used by Team Sky to prepare specifically for the Tour of Flanders.

Further details and photos of the route, including the cobbled sectors can be found at http://club.v-sprint.com/cheshire-cobbled-classic/

There is also the option of a shorter 65km (40 mile) route, which skips sectors five, six and seven (the corkscrew), but is otherwise the same as the full 105km route. Those who wish to do the full route but would prefer not to attempt the corkscrew can avoid it by simply cutting off a one-mile loop. All of the roads used on the route are relatively traffic-free. Feed stations, a broom wagon and medical support will be provided. 

The event will have a Belgian theme, with a variety of Belgian foods, chocolate and a glass of Leffe for every finisher. In addition, everyone who completes the course will be presented with a full-sized commemorative cobblestone made of finest Dartmoor granite - as used on most of the remaining cobbled roads in England.

The Cheshire Cobbled Classic will be held on Sunday 5 October, starting and finishing at Wilmslow Leisure Centre (Rectory Fields, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1BU).

Entries are priced at £25. The event is promoted by V-Sprint Classics, who organised the recent Tour of the Black Country, a Paris-Roubaix-inspired sportive featuring 15 unpaved/cobbled sectors and a velodrome finish, and the Strade-Bianche-themed White Roads Classic which features nine white gravel/chalk sectors. Cycling Weekly are profiling the event in a two-page report in a forthcoming issue.