The 100km route is a lot tougher than most riders expected it to be. Not to be taken lightly.

isle of wight mtb trackTYPE 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). Riders get a reduced price for the crossing. 
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 100KM COURSE


Rough Ride, in Wales on 27th May 2012

Your Comments
simon commented on the 25th May 2011 at 10:59 AM

hi does any body have the 100km isle of wight randonnee off road ride route as a garmin download ??
would make training a lot easier ??
many thanks simon.

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mDarkins reply on 25th May 2011 at 11:09 AM

you should get sent it by the BHF – if not e-mail (max at) rough ride guide

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mDarkins commented on the 25th May 2011 at 02:15 PM

just been asked the amount of climbing involved and average time taken.

Well there is 2,127 metres of climbing and average time… well 6.5-7hrs of riding time would not be a bad time. Add in any food stops, mechanicals, checkpoints, etc and you are probably looking at a total time of around 8-9hrs.

Pace yourself. It is hillier than many people expect. The riding gets easier towards the end though.

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Rough Ride Guide Articles – Getting ready for event day commented on the 8th Jun 2011 at 01:34 PM

[...] ready for event day Comment: (0) OK, event season is kicking off properly now, and what with the Isle of Wight event coming up next week, I thought I’d help settle your nerves and make sure you are well prepared [...]

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mDarkins commented on the 15th Jun 2011 at 02:12 PM

ok, looks like a load of rain due the day/night before the event, but should be ok on the day, so maybe bring a knobbly tyre or two. I’ll be able to advice you on the morning as to what the conditions were like out on the route.

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Gordon commented on the 17th Jun 2011 at 11:06 AM

I have not seen a Garmin download anywhere. Anyone have one..???

Thanks chaps,

Gordie.

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mDarkins commented on the 17th Jun 2011 at 11:41 AM

I’m away now, but e-mail the bhf (diane) has it.

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mDarkins commented on the 17th Jun 2011 at 06:39 PM

just finished signing the route. pouring with rain now, but the trails are doing very well. they’re only really affected after checkpoint 2 (niton) and it’s just slippery surfaces in places, not really muddy. worth putting some knobbly tyres on, but certainly not mud specific tyres. weather forescast for saturday is not too bad either :-)

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Matty commented on the 18th Jun 2011 at 01:42 AM

Is it too late to enter?

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mDarkins commented on the 18th Jun 2011 at 06:16 AM

yes you can. sun is out this morning- all looking good :-)

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mDarkins commented on the 20th Jun 2011 at 08:07 AM

how did people do? the wind made it hard going, but apart from puddles, all that rain didn’t affect the trails very much.

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mDarkins reply on 20th Jun 2011 at 08:20 AM

collected the last of the signs yesterday. sorry there was some that went missing (probably the wind or disgruntled walkers) :-( hope it didn’t cause big problems.

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Chris Wood reply on 20th Jun 2011 at 09:24 AM

Took me 10 hours for the full 100km. I have to say that was the hardest challenge of my life – epic terrain, epic hills and epic conditions. Not sure of the wind speed but apparently it was force 8/9 on Saturday?

Not sure I would do the 100km again, not without a lot more training!

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mDarkins reply on 20th Jun 2011 at 11:29 AM

10hrs is respectable, and even better considering the conditions (gale force winds).
training is definately necessary.it’s tougher than people expect.

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Scott commented on the 20th Jun 2011 at 02:17 PM

I did 9.5hrs for the 100km and it was the hardest ride I have ever had! No training mind…perhaps need to bear that in mind for next year…that and a better saddle for my hardtail!

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ian spicer commented on the 20th Jun 2011 at 05:16 PM

done the 100k in 9hours 20mins, tough going but really enjoyed it. Really well organised. Out of interest any idea of total amount of climbing?? cheers..

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mDarkins reply on 20th Jun 2011 at 05:39 PM

great. just under 2,000 metres of climbing.

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