KEEN riders are being urged to sign up early for a charity cycle ride next spring.

The Little Lumpy Cycle Sportive 2019 will be held during the annual Haslemere Festival - and an early-bird ticket offer closes on December 31.

Back by popular demand for its 11th year, the popular not-for-profit event takes place on Sunday, May 19, and once again its partner charity for 2019 is Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care.

Last year Little Lumpy raised a whopping £10,000, which was split between Haslemere Festival and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care.

An impressive 597 riders raced off from Woolmer Hill sports ground for Little Lumpy Cycle Sportive 2018. Firmly established as one of the top sportives in the South of England, it offers riders a choice of three circular routes through some of the prettiest countryside up and over the South Downs.

Most riders chose the 100-mile Epic route, which involved gruelling climbs of some 8,500 feet in total.

There are three routes on offer geared towards levels of endurance for cyclists of all ages and abilities, comprising 40, 60 and 100 miles.

All the routes take riders along the back roads and through the most scenic parts of West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire to the South Downs at South Harting, where the Challenge and Epic routes branch off from the Sport route, for some pretty testing climbs.

The Little Lumpy Cycle Sportive start and finish location is again at Haslemere’s Woolmer Hill Sports Association Clubhouse, which is also providing free parking, changing facilities and showers.

Cyclists who have competed before will know that the delicious selection of restorative cakes served up en route are all home made by volunteers. There are free teas and coffee and a bacon butty breakfast with a veggie option available, provided at the very beginning to kick start riders into action.

Back at base at the end of the day, cyclists can shower, change and relax with a snack and a drink or two in the clubhouse.

* To sign up for the early-bird ticket offer or for more details about how to take part in one of the top sportives, while raising money for two good causes, visit littlelumpy.co.uk.