Rough Ride Guide Articles » Events

London 2 Brighton Off-road bike ride, 22nd September, 2012

mDarkins — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:36:45 +0000

Ride out of London and arrive at the seaside, just through the power of the pedal!

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 (possibly even semi-slicks, if it’s very dry) tyres are the best for this event.
MORE INFO: British Heart Foundations Event Page

Photos & Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51BQgu-Cbd0

The Course

NOTE: An average time to complete the ride is around 7-7.5hrs.

Peak District Mountain Bike Challenge, 29th September 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:39:59 +0000

TYPE OF RIDE: Circular, rough off-road mountain bike 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.
MORE INFO: Sign Up Page

Adventure Route (approx 14 miles)
A great introduction to the Dark Peaks. Although this is our shortest route, it will still provide you with some technical rocky trails, big hills and wonderful views.

Advanced Route (approx 23 miles)
This route is suited to more experienced riders wanting to ride some of the more technical trails, taking in some of the Dark Peak classics. Expect big hills and loose rocks.

Extreme Route (approx 34 miles)
For very fit and competent riders only, this is the ultimate off road biking experience. With 34 miles of steep hills and technical terrain, this really is a tough challenge.

Ultimate Route (approx 40 miles)
For very fit and competent riders only, this is the ultimate off road biking experience. With 40 miles of steep hills, technical terrain and exposed stretches this is the toughest of them all!

Pictures & Videos:

http://www.photoboxgallery.com/johnpaulphotography/collection?album_id=928462592.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_fAD-kC9JQ

The Ultimate Route

MORE INFO: Sign Up Page

Windsor 2 Bath Off-road, 15th September, 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:58:06 +0000

TYPE OF RIDE: Point to Point, off road ride.
DIFFICULTY RATING: Extreme for the whole distance, but there are half-distance options, suitable for intermediate riders.
WHERE: Windsor (Great Park) to Bath city.

DISTANCE(S): 100 or 50 miles.
WHY DO THE RIDE: This is the first time its ever been run and it’s going to be epic. It’s virtually the width of the country. It is an awesome challenge that would not normally be possible to complete in a day without the signing, support and security that the event will provide.
WHAT BIKE: A hardtail (front suspension only) will be suitable for this event, but we’d recommend a full suspension bike (especially if doing 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. It can be (and I have) done on a Cyclocross bike if you wish though, as although uncomfortable it will be fast.
WHAT TYRES: Fit some all round tyres as the terrain changes quite a lot through the ride. Don’t go too knobbly, but make sure you have some decent tread.

For more information see: British Heart Foundation

South Downs Way Randonnee: 21st July 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:24:25 +0000

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.
WHEN: 21st July 2012.
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.
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.
MORE INFO: British Heart Foundation Event Page

The Course

MORE INFO: British Heart Foundation Event Page

CHILTERNS CHALLENGE, 2nd September 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:36:45 +0000

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

DIFFICULTY RATING: Easy to Hard. Depending on distance and speed ridden – the twisty singletrack gets more challenging the faster you ride.
WHEN: 2nd September

APPROXIMATE START TIMES: 8-10am

FINISH: ALL riders must be back by 5pm.

WHERE: 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! Last year was a great success and everyone wanted to come back for more, so here we are.

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: £15.00 (but a few quid more for on the day entries)

NOTE: The routes mostly share the same trails, with the shorter routes peeling off the 100km route so people can ride together as much as possible – it is not just one 25km loop repeated.

TOP TIP: It is fine to change the distance you are doing (up or down) on the day, and the option to continue on the 100km route comes at the 55km mark.

AROUND THE EVENT

The 100km Route

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

Also worth a look:
Sign Up Page (In the shop section)

London 2 Paris Off-Road Bike Ride 30th June 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:03:42 +0000

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

DIFFICULTY RATING: The physical challenge is obvious, with over 300km 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.

WHEN: 30th June – 2nd July 2012

DISTANCE(S): 300km over 3 days (100/80/120km)

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 tyre for the ride.

MORE INFO:

Photos & Videos:

Pictures:

Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55449768@N02/

Video: French singletrack

Video: More French singletrack

Rough Ride, in Wales on 27th May 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:07:18 +0000

The ever popular event in Mid-Wales.

More info to come in the meantime see http://www.roughride.co.uk/

Isle of Wight off-road Ride: 16th June 2012

mDarkins — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:47:31 +0000

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). 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