A VINTAGE cycling event described as the world's longest one-day classic bike ride attracted almost 50 riders to the Lake District.

Cyclists from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK made tracks for Ulverston to take part in the 300km Mighty Corinthian, organised by local couple Alan and Ali Brenton.

All the bikes were authentic, pre-1987 models, or replicas, complete with steel frames and exterior brake cables. "It was the last year when everything was still fully old-school," said Alan, who has taken inspiration from Italy's famous L'Eroica vintage-style sportive. "It's one of our major holidays ever year, and what we are trying to do is build a Lakes version of that."

Rather than energy bars, the riders were fuelled with 'proper food' such as full breakfasts, beer and pies after 225km at Eden Brewery, near Penrith, and tea and cakes at Troutbeck post office.

Two of the riders, an Irishman and a Frenchman, drove to Ulverston from the French town of Lille on Friday night, rode 300km on Saturday and then drove back that night, as the French cyclist had to be back in France for his daughter's school open day. He had been riding a 94-year-old, completely original, fixed-gear bike, which meant that he could not coast downhill, so had to pedal constantly, said Alan.

"People are a little bit nervous because of the scale of the challenge but the atmosphere and camaraderie are fantastic," he told the Gazette.

The next date in Alan and Ali's Sportive Lakes calendar of events is July 8 to 10, when Ulverston will host the L'Ancienne vintage cycling weekend and Retro Rendezvous Festival.

"What's really important for us is, we want to keep the local spirit, so if you come to L'Ancienne and Retro Rendezvous it's nearly all free," said Alan. "It's in the middle of town so that people can go to the shops and the pubs. We are trying to promote Ulverston as a stopping-off point for cycling in South Lakeland - you can catch the train from Manchester Airport."

To find out more, visit www.sportivelakes.co.uk