A Long Day in the Dirt - Sunday Sep 27th 2009

This event offers some of the best off road riding available in the UK, coupled with a unique ‘non race’ atmosphere that is all about beating your personal goals and taking part. There will be 2 route options in 2009 60k and 30k, the 60k is one loop with no repeated sections, the 30k is a shortened version of the same loop. The route covers many areas of private land so you will be riding in places that are out of bounds for the rest of the year. You need to be ready for a long hard day in the saddle come rain or shine. Remember this event is almost entirely off road and you will be riding in areas where the conditions are very changeable so be prepared for everything. The 30k is described as a family option it is still a challenging route involving plenty of technical riding.

The event will again start and finish at the mountain bike mecca that is Newnham Park with all parking, camping, showers, toilets etc being available, on site, only yards from the finish area. This year the event will be run in conjunction with the British Mountain Bike Series with top level XC racing on the Saturday, Cyclo Cross action, trials demos from Andrei Burton, live music and more. There are no categories and the minimum age for entry is 12 for the short distance and 16 for the longer distances. All distances start at 10:00am.

Places are limited to 500 people. There will be no entries available on the day.

Your entry fee includes admission all weekend for you and your party (in your car), we have reduced entry fees this year and there will be no free T-Shirt but you still get weekend entry, showers, toilets, well stocked feed stations, cream tea at finish, first aid, marshals, well marked route and camping, come and make a weekend of it and enjoy the action from the Number 1 XC race in Britain on Saturday with Liam Killeen and Oli Beckingsale scheduled to take part...more international riders to be confirmed.

All photos: Simon keitch