We've just been told that the 2006 Hell of the North Cotswolds "reliability trial" is now completely full. No more pre-entries will be taken and as for trying to enter on the day - no chance. Apparently this is the quickest that entries have come in in the whole long and illustrious history of the event. HONC seems to have gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years - it's been running for ever (in as much as 22 years is "for ever") but clearly it had to wait a while for the zeitgeist to catch up with it. Anyway, that's all a bit moot for anyone who hasn't entered. If you have, enjoy it. If you haven't, there's a Merida 100 on the same day...

Pre-entered riders are also advised that there'll be a minute's silence at the start of the 2006 HONC in memory of co-founder Pat Smith, who died in December 2005. HONC associate Jon Whyte said, "Most riders will have fond memories of Pat for his boundless enthusiasm and his amusing megaphone briefing at the beginning of the event each year. He will be sadly missed by all concerned."