Events

TYPE OF RIDE: A circular ride, around the Isle of Wight (all of it)!

DIFFICULTY RATING: Extreme (100km) to intermediate (50km). There are some big hills and challenging, natural terrain on all of the routes.

WHERE: The route starts in Carisbrooke, Newport (in the centre of the island).

DISTANCE(S): 50, 75 or 100 kilometre distances.

WHY DO THE RIDE: Not only is 100km a superb challenge, but you get to do it travelling to all four corners of a beautiful island, along superb trails, with breathtaking views (and climbs), on a cracking route that you will remember (and talk about, in too much detail to non-bikers) forever.

WHAT BIKE: We’d recommend a full suspension bike for this ride, as it is a long bumpy day in the saddle and the comfort of a bouncy bottom will be appreciated. A hardtail (front suspension only) bike is still of course ample to ride all day off-road (no matter what the bike industry tells you).

WHAT TYRES: This will really depend on the weather on the day, so keep an eye on our website, in the meantime have your ‘all-rounders’ ready.

NOTE: Please note that the island is a lot hillier than most people give it credit for, and the 100km route is a lot tougher than most riders expected it to be. Not to be taken lightly, but a superb challenge and experience to cycle around the whole island in a day, off road!

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

The ever popular classic endurance ride of the South East (along with the Ridgeway Randonnee of course)

TYPE OF RIDE: Point to point

DIFFICULTY RATING: Intermediate to Extreme. The physical challenge of this ride should really not be underestimated. The riding isn’t particularly technical, but the big, looooong hills provide a significant challenge to even the most experienced riders, and the fast descents require your full attention.

WHERE: Winchester to Eastbourne, with Devil’s Dyke used for the start or finish of the shorter route options.

DISTANCE(S): 35, 65 and 100 miles.

WHY DO THE RIDE: Because 100 miles along this National Trail is an awesome challenge that all serious mountain bikers (should) aspire to do one day. 2010 is the first year the park is officially a National Park.

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

WHAT BIKE & WHAT TYRES: We’d recommend a full suspension bike for this ride, as it is a long bumpy day in the saddle and the comfort of a bouncy back end will be appreciated at the end. A hardtail (front suspension only) bike is still a good choice however, as it will be more efficient on the climbs. Fit some fast rolling tyres (100 miles is a long way) as the trails are generally well draining hard double track (and grass) so the only problem with traction is chalk, wet chalk, green wet chalk - avoid it!

TOP TIP: The flints can cause problems, so be prepared with either slime tubes, spare tubes, double defensive tyres

TYPE OF RIDE: Point to point, off road ride.

DIFFICULTY RATING: The physical challenge is obvious, with over 250km of riding, off road, but the technical challenge isn’t crazy (or most people would never make it).

WHERE: Bushy Park/Hampton Court in London, to Versailles, Paris.

DISTANCE(S): Over 250km (exact distance to be confirmed asap).

WHY DO THE RIDE: It’s London to Paris! It’s also the first ever off-road London to Paris event! It is also the start of the Tour De France that weekend! What an adventure, what a challenge, what an achievement.

WHAT BIKE: We recommend a hardtail (front suspension only) bike as it provides the best compromise between efficiency and comfort or even a fully rigid (cyclocross or hybrid) bike with 700c/29 inch wheels, as these will be the most efficient and still capable on the trails being used. A full suspension will be a bit overkill and slow (but comfier).

WHAT TYRES: Fit a low profile, fast rolling (even semi-slick) tyre for the ride.

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

The ever popular classic endurance ride of the South East (along with the Ridgeway Randonnee of course)

TYPE OF RIDE: Point to point

DIFFICULTY RATING: Intermediate to Extreme. The physical challenge of this ride should really not be underestimated. The riding isn’t particularly technical, but the big, looooong hills provide a significant challenge to even the most experienced riders, and the fast descents require your full attention.

WHERE: Winchester to Eastbourne, with Devil’s Dyke used for the start or finish of the shorter route options.

DISTANCE(S): 35, 65 and 100 miles.

WHY DO THE RIDE: Because 100 miles along this National Trail is an awesome challenge that all serious mountain bikers (should) aspire to do one day. 2010 is the first year the park is officially a National Park.

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

WHAT BIKE & WHAT TYRES: We’d recommend a full suspension bike for this ride, as it is a long bumpy day in the saddle and the comfort of a bouncy back end will be appreciated at the end. A hardtail (front suspension only) bike is still a good choice however, as it will be more efficient on the climbs. Fit some fast rolling tyres (100 miles is a long way) as the trails are generally well draining hard double track (and grass) so the only problem with traction is chalk, wet chalk, green wet chalk - avoid it!

TOP TIP: The flints can cause problems, so be prepared with either slime tubes, spare tubes, double defensive tyres

16th July, 2011, Woodcote, Nr Reading, Oxfordshire / Berkshire - The Chilterns.

NOTE: This event is being organised by Rough Ride Guide, but we would be very pleased if you could raise money for the British Heart Foundation charity (raising money and awareness for the UK’s biggest killer - heart disease), who we previously designed the route for. www.justgiving.com/bhf

TYPE OF RIDE: Circular off road MTB ride, with big hills and big smiles.

DIFFICULTY RATING: Easy to Very HardThe riding gets more challenging the faster you ride, so is suitable for novices, but also offers a great challenging ride to advanced riders.

WHEN: 16th July, 2011

WHERE: 16th July, 2011, Woodcote, Nr Reading, Oxfordshire / Berkshire – The heart of the Chilterns. In the village hall, in the centre of the village

DISTANCE(S): 100 / 75 / 50 / 25 km’s

WHY DO THE RIDE: If you like sumptuous singletrack, exploring new trails, meeting new riders, want an exciting new challenges, but also the back up and like following arrows and NOT getting lost! When the event was held in 2009, the feedback was outstanding and everyone wanted to come back the following year, but as the BHF wasn’t able to run it again (schedule far too packed) we decided it was just too cruel not to do it again, so we are organising it our self, for 2011.

NOTE: The village hall is in the recreation grounds, right next to the Children’s playground. There will be shelter, hot & cold drinks, cakes

WHAT BIKE: A hardtail (front suspension only) bike is absolutely fine for this area, as the trails are mostly flowing singletrack with rooty sections. However the long distance and numerous rooty sections easily justifies bringing a full suspension bike if you have the choice, for an easier time on your bum.

WHAT TYRES: Good fast, all round tyres with rounded edges work well on this terrain when dry. If it’s a bit wet though, some deeper and square edge treads are handy for the fast corners.

PRICE: TBC

NOTE: For our events we will signpost all of the routes, pdf route map, GPX file of the route, refreshments (and encouragement) along the route and provide a start & finish base, providing safe parking, shelter, toilets, showers, hot & cold drinks and cake. There are also children’s playgrounds at the start/end.

TYPE OF RIDE: Point to Point, off road ride.

DIFFICULTY RATING: Extreme for the whole distance, but the two shorter, half-distance options, are suitable for intermediate riders.

WHERE: Avebury, Nr Swindon to Tring, nr Aylesbury. Goring will be used as the half way finish and start point.

DISTANCE(S): 80 or 40 miles.

WHY DO THE RIDE: It is the first time an off-road MTB event has ridden the whole length of this National Trail, and you could add to the trails 5,000 year old history. It is an awesome challenge that would not normally be possible to complete in a day without the signing, support and security the event will provided.

WHAT BIKE: We’d recommend a full suspension bike for the whole distance, as it is a long bumpy day in the saddle so the comfort and forgiveness of a bouncy back end will come into its own towards the end of the ride, as your legs tire and trails get rooty. A hardtail (front suspension only) bike would be best for the first half of the ride and a full suspension recommended for the 2nd half, although a hardtail would be ok.

WHAT TYRES: Fit some all round tyres as the terrain changes quite a lot through the ride. 80 miles is a long way, so don’t go too knobbly, but make sure you have some good side knobbles for the singletrack later on.

NOTE: This event is being organised by Rough Ride Guide, but we would be very pleased if you could raise money for the British Heart Foundation charity (raising money and awareness for the UK’s biggest killer - heart disease), who we previously designed the route for. British Heart Foundations Event Page

TYPE OF RIDE: Circular off road MTB ride, with big hills and big smiles.

DIFFICULTY RATING: Novice to Advanced. The trails are steep and technical, but there are various distances to suit all fitness levels, from the Extreme hard-core 100km to a 15km for beginners, albeit confident on technical terrain.

WHEN: 27th August 2011

WHERE: Porlock, nr Minehead in Exmoor, Somerset, along the A39 off the M5, junction 23/24. Start / End is in the recreation ground / hall, in the centre of Porlock.

DISTANCE(S): 100 / 75 / 50 / 25 and 15 km options

WHY DO THE RIDE: Because it’s fantastic riding and a superb introduction to the area! Not only is it home to some of my most favourite trails in the UK, but it has also been rated in the top 3 of ‘UK’s Best Trails’ by MBR magazine! The 4 leaf clover design of these routes uses the best trails in the area and enables you to ride any combination of the 25km loops as you desire (as well as being for good luck!). If you want to explore the world class riding in this area, without getting lost or going up a classic descent you should come along follow our arrows, use our support, meet new riders and join us in the pub and campsite before and after the ride for a superb weekend of riding and talking about riding (or not) for everyone.

The base for the event is in the centre of Porlock village, at the recreation ground, where the riders will be passing through after every 25km. We have the pavilion hall for shelter, parking, showers, hot & cold drinks, cakes, toilets, games and a playground for children.

NOTE: We have designed the route in a 4-leaf clover design to enable you to ride with friends as much as possible even if you have different fitness levels i.e. you can ride any combination the 4 (25km) loops to join your super fit mate who is doing the full 100km, at any point in their ride.

WHAT BIKE: This is definitely full suspension territory if you have the choice. The rough, rocky, steep terrain and long distance fully justifies the full bouncer. Don’t worry if you don’t have one though, as a hardtail (front suspension only) will be fine and is still often our choice of bike, especially for the shorter distances.

WHAT TYRES: Tough, knobby square edge tyres are the best for this rough, rocky terrain. Tubeless is also a good choice as it’s snake bite (pinch puncture) territory!

PRICE: TBC

NOTE: For our events we will signpost all of the routes, pdf route map, GPX file of the route, refreshments (and encouragement) along the route and provide a start & finish base, providing safe parking, shelter, toilets, showers, hot & cold drinks and cake. There are also children’s playgrounds at the start/end.

TYPE OF RIDE: Circular, lapping event, off-road, through the night.

DIFFICULTY RATING: Tough.

WHERE: Bedgebury Forest, Kent.

DISTANCE(S): Its all down to you (and your team, your legs, head, bum and bike).

WHY DO THE RIDE: Why else would you ride all through the night! See how far you can push your body and mind, or simply to have a laugh with some friends, cycling through the night. Its also worth it just to explain for the umpteenth time to your work colleagues, friends and family that ‘yes really, I am going to cycle all the way through the night, for fun and to raise money for charity’.

WHAT BIKE: Hmm, the terrain isn’t particularly rough or technical, but a full suspension is probably best if you are planning on riding solo or in pairs, just for the comfort. Otherwise, a hardtail (front suspension only) will be more efficient and faster for riders in a team (taking it in turns to do laps). Singlespeed bikes are a good option for the purists, as there are no big hills and they are low(er) maintenance.

WHAT TYRES: This will depend on the weather. If its dry get some low profile, fast rolling tyres. If its wet you’ll need some mud tyres.

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

TYPE OF RIDE: Point to point, off road bike ride

DIFFICULTY RATING: Physically, very challenging, but not very technically difficult.

WHERE: Starting at Roehampton University, by Richmond Park and finishing in Brighton, on the seafront.

DISTANCE(S): Just the one, from London to Brighton, all 120km (75miles).

WHY DO THE RIDE: Because it’s a superb feeling to ride out of London and arrive at the seaside, just through the power of your legs and determination of your mind. It’s also fun explaining to people along the way ‘yes, you really are going to Brighton, today, and yes, you did start in London this morning’. It’s also very popular and has a limited number of places, so worth signing up for early.

WHAT BIKE : We recommend a hardtail (front suspension only) bike as it provides the best compromise between efficiency and comfort. A full suspension will be more comfortable (but slower) and a fully rigid (cyclocross or hybrid) will be faster still, but less comfortable.

WHAT TYRES: Low profile, fast rolling (even semi-slick) tyres are the best for this event.

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

TYPE OF RIDE: Circular, rough off-road ride.

DIFFICULTY RATING: Intermediate to Extreme.

WHERE: Edale, in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire.

DISTANCE(S): 65, 55, 37 and 23 kilometres.

WHY DO THE RIDE: Because the Dark Peaks has some of the best riding in the UK and not only does this route use many of the best trails, but it is also fully signposted, so a great way to explore the area, safely and securely. It can also be your chance, to see just how far you can ride in this demanding countryside, with the knowledge and support that the event will provide.

WHAT BIKE: This is definitely full suspension territory. The rough, rocky, steep terrain fully justifies the full bouncer. Don’t worry if you don’t have one though, as a hardtail (front suspension only) is fine (especially with longer travel forks) and still the choice of many riders, especially when doing the shorter distances.

WHAT TYRES: Tough, knobbly square edge tyres are best for this rough, rocky terrain.