In 1805 Lieutenant Lapenotiere travelled from Falmouth to London post-chaise (a horse-drawn carriage used for transporting passengers or mail in the 18th and early 19th centuries) in 37 hours, carrying important dispatches to Admiralty House in the capital with the news of victory at the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.

210 years later, and just a week before the annual Trafalgar day celebrations, intrepid cyclists have the chance to recreate this 500km journey on two wheels, albeit with a slightly stricter, 24 hour time limit. Welcome to Ride the Trafalgar Way.

The legendary route, steeped in history, comprises four different options - Colossus, Britannia, Conqueror, and Victory - all taking place on the weekend of 17-18 October 2015.

Colossus 
Falmouth to London 
17th October 2015 
Colossus is a 24 hour, non-stop, team challenge starting at Pendennis Point, Falmouth and finishing in London. The route is just under 312 miles (500km) long, and follows the route of Britannia, Conqueror and Victory combined. 

Britannia
Falmouth to Exeter 
17th October 2015 
Britannia is a solo ride, just over 100 miles long, starting at Pendennis Point, Falmouth and then leading through the towns of Fraddon, Bodmin, Launceston and Okehampton before passing over Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor. The ride finishes in Exeter. 

Conqueror 
Exeter to Salisbury 
17th October 2015 
Conqueror is a solo ride just over 100 miles long. Starting in Exeter, the ride takes in Honiton, Axminster, Bridport, Dorchester and Blandford Forum before finishing in Salisbury. 

Victory
Salisbury to London 
18th October 2015 
Victory is a solo night ride just over 85 miles in length. Starting in Salisbury, the ride runs through Andover, Overton, Basingstoke, Hook, Hartley, Witney, Camberley, Bagshot, Egham, Sunningdale, Hounslow, Chiswick, Hammersmith and Knightsbridge before finishing in Westminster.

Jim Bellinger, Ride the Trafalgar Way Event Director, explains what inspired him to create the event: “I came across the ‘Trafalgar Way’ a few years ago when I was cycling down some roads local to my home in Wiltshire. I saw signs up on the side of the road and was intrigued.”

He continued: “After several years in the planning and drawing on my experience as the Route Manager for this years Tour de France - Stage 1, Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, World Triathlon Series - London and next years Velothon Wales I believe we have a fantastic Trafalgar Way route. I’m incredibly happy where things are and I can’t wait to launch the event in January.”

Entries are now open.

For more information and to register visit http://ridethetrafalgarway.com/.