Hi all I am a new mtb, I recently got into this by cross training when a I was preparing for a half marathon.

My friend and I are based in the midlands and are looking for a sensible challenge for next summer on the bike (giving the knees to time to recover). My mate is a good rider, but I have a lot of learning to do, but have a general ok level of fitness. What events are typically on in the summer time that are worth a crack and we could raise some money for charity?  

 Any thoughts and suggestion (not including 24hr events) woud be great, especially with links to the events

thanks

Ian

Nice one Jen. I'll extend the challenge by suggesting more miles on your bike than in your car.

Just do a few hours overtime and give that to charity, the charity will get more, and you can use the time you'd have wasted messing about raising the money and annoying all your mates/family/colleagues out on the bike. 

Hi

Thanks for the kind and welcome responses.

 To the know alls,  As I had to have an enforce change in circumstance and now have to travel 100 miles round trip to feed my famaly per day unfornatuately I see very little chance in meeting your suggestion, but thanks for the welcome to the site and encouraging me into the sport! 

 Glad I bothered

The <a title="100k meridas" target="_blank">100k meridas</a> are a very good challenge - tougher than a running marathon and you have plenty of time to prepare.

For fundraising though, the 24h events really have the wow factor amongst colleagues..find 2 more mates and it only 6 hours riding each..

I know its probably too far, geographically and maybe riding too, but myself and 7 mates did scotland c2c this year at end of may- an absolutely amazing 5 days riding with beer and banter in the evenings and an incredible feeling of satisfaction when we rolled into montrose.

helped by the fact that we managed to raise £6500-00 for edinburgh sick kids hospital- a great 'holiday' (my arse didnt think so) where we actually achieved something other than just enjoying riding the bikes.

BTW does anybody have any recommendations for the french alps. planning on it next year but have no idea -never been. quite happy sleeping in bunkhouses and we are all into fast XC not too much climbing, not sure what the lift situation is at that time of year,end may early june. any advice would be welcome

Thanks for the suggestions

The scotland c2c sounds brillant, not sure if my riding is up to it but thanks, I can also see what you mean about the 24hr

 Plenty to chew on thanks

Ian

South Downs Way (Eastbourne to Winchester or Vice Versa) 105 miles and stop and B&Bs on the way (unless you're Mike Cotty or Rob Lee).

Big Wight on the Island.

Salisbury Plain Challenge (Earlstoke nr Devizes Wilts)

End to End (isle of Man)

Merida Events Builth Wells, Ruthin, Penrith (scotland too but a bit of a long trek). You can go on a free training ride with Chris Ford and his team.

And tons more I haven't mentioned.

http://www.bhf.org.uk/get_involved/take_part_in_our_events/bike_rides.aspx

 Yet to do any of these myself........although we keep talking about some of the randonee's on the BHF site.  They seem to have loads of interesting events to suit most people.

I ve been looking at this site http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/index.php which is the mtb marathon site as I am sure there are many out there who had a go at one of these. I was wondering at what level to pitch for ie long short or medium although the kids course did take my fancy!!!!

Any comment from the experience would be welcome

Ian

That's the site for the Merida events. A good plan is the pay for the 50k and then to see how you're feeling when you reach the first split point (25k or 50k). The Builth and Ruthin rides start with a stiff road climb early on so by the time you reach the split you have a good idea whether you fancy another 30k or whether you just wanna crawl home.

A couple of summers back I was doing the Builth 50k and my riding buddy was clearly not feeling great. I suggested we swap to the 30k at the split, but he acted offended and wouldn't hear of it. He really suffered that day and all afternoon was asking how far to the end. To make his demoralization even worse, the marshalls were taking down signs and closing the course just behind us; and at the last water stop we were asked to finish the last few k's on the road. So .....know your limits!

Don't let this story put you off - he's done several 50ks with me since and he kicked my ass last time out. Taking part is a great experience. There are usually about 1000+ riders and you all set off together with a police escourt and a phalanx of marshalls on quad bikes. In Builth and Ruthin the streets are lined with curious (and awed) spectators. In Builth you start to climb as soon as you come out of the event village and up the main street. Riders of all ages and abilities take part so there's a great atmosphere. There's one point where you're really starting to feel it and then you round a corner only to be confronted by a 25% gradient sign - that's usually the bit when the 10 year-old and his mum blast past you! Shortly after you reach the top of the climb to swing left off the road and start across the moor - that's when the fun starts and you get muddy!