Rough Ride 2005

East Radnorshire's Rough Ride enduro is all set for 2005 with new sponsors, a couple of route tweaks but with all the fundamentals still in place. Gary Fisher and Hereford's Climb On Bikes are the new sponsors. They'll be equipping the event campsite with demo bikes, spares shop and tech support over the weekend.

The 2004 routes were well received, so the organisers haven't fiddled with them much save for replacing a slightly dull Tarmac stretch with some more interesting wiggly lanes. Other than that, the course is largely unchanged, but there'll be an extra food and water stop on the way round.

Choose from 70km or 40km loops, with the long route being over 85% off-road and packing a sturdy 6000ft of climbing. The £18 entry fee (if you enter before 1 March - twenty quid after that) includes a post-ride meal, refreshments en route, T-shirt, two night's camping, loos, changing facilities and hot, yes hot, showers. Plus there'll be an event photographer snapping everyone as they pass by, loads of spot prizes and ample parking.

Probably everything you need to know is at www.roughride.co.uk, including on-line entry and secure payment. There's a traditional printable entry form too. Entries are open now.

If you'd like further encouragement you might like to read Al Leigh's experiences of the 2004 Rough Ride...