Cave Rescue Organisation
Formed in 1935, The Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) is the oldest cave rescue organisation in the world. It was originally formed by cavers specifically to rescue cavers but, since the 60s, has also been a mountain rescue service. Today the majority of the call-outs are for above ground incidents of which there were 99 in 2016, ranging from injured walkers, climbers, trapped livestock, road and mountain bike riders and people working in the Dales, from people who are simply lost to serious injuries, hypothermia, falling into rivers and being carried over waterfalls and crashing over the handlebars.
CRO are the mountain rescue service for the Western Yorkshire Dales including the famous Three Peaks area, and are one of the two good causes The Open Wheel West Riding Classic bike ride supports, with £5 from every entry going to the charity. Their association with The Open Wheel dates back to 2010 when the CRO provided first aid cover to the very first West Riding Classic, and have continued to do so ever since.
In this video, The Open Wheel join CRO on a training exercise in a snowy Kingsdale Valley.
Enter The West Riding Classic Now
About The Open Wheel
Launched in 2010, The Open Wheel is a collective of five brothers from Clapham in Yorkshire who host an annual sportive in the Yorkshire Dales. Growing up in The Dales means these local lads have the best knowledge of the area and their track record is proven with loyal cyclists of all abilities joining them every year.
The annual West Riding Classic is now in its seventh year, this 33, 65 and 75 mile sportive has been described by British Cycling:
“A must-do on the sportive calendar, this 33, 65 and 75 mile sportive takes on Yorkshire’s most iconic roads and climbs in beautiful scenery. Exploiting the Yorkshire Dales’ finest cycling roads, the best feed station in the UK offering a unique, friendly, authentic experience”. British Cycling Organisation
The West Riding Classic
West Riding Classic (£20):
Saturday 22nd April 2017
33, 60 & 75 mile routes
2200 metres of vertical ascent on the 75 mile route
The best feedstation in the UK.