Pic © Steve Toze
2007 saw the rebirth of the Cheddar Challenge in the form of the Kona Cheddar Bikefest, with 800 riders joining in and riding one of the most demanding courses in the UK, firmly putting Cheddar back on the map.
Around 750 riders in teams of two, four and solo took part in the 8-hour and 4-hour event on Saturday and had a great day racing on the short but tough Cheddar course. The much loved sections like Vipers Vale, Devils Drop and Witches Wood put big grins on the rider's faces. Every lap remained a physical and technical challenge until the very end but it didn't stop the riders putting in some astonishing laps and lap times.
Cheddar is back on the map for 2008 with the 2nd issue of Cheddar Bikefest sponsored by Kona Bikes on the weekend of the 27-28 September at Broadway House in Cheddar.
The format
The event is similar to the Bristol Bikefest but adjusted to the time of year. For the 2008 event we will have the now 10-hour enduro on the Saturday followed by a 5-hour event on the Sunday.
As an extra for newcomers to endurance racing we have added a 3-hour 'Novice' endurance event which will also run on Sunday. This will give everybody who is keen to find out what all the fuss is about a chance to dip their toe in the water without overdoing it straight away.
Both days can be ridden as solo or as teams of 2 or 4. The special twist on Saturday is that the last couple of hours (depending on weather) will be ridden in the dark and will offer a real chance for everybody to enjoy night riding before the dark season starts. Our night lap sponsor NiteRider (www.2pure.co.uk) will be on site offering technical support, showing off the latest night light technology and offering lots of prizes for the fastest night laps.
The course
Last years course was a balls out mixture of tough climbs and the best bits of the glory days of the Cheddar Challenge. Due to last minute changes we had to throw in a rather difficult climb which the majority of the riders had to walk. We have managed to sort this section out by making that section completely ridable but without sacrificing any of the fun bits that made the Cheddar Challenge course the highlight of the UK race calendar.
NiteRider Night Time Trail
For 2008 we have moved the night time trail to Friday night (26 September 2008) from around 7pm onwards. The night time trail will be free of charge for riders who have entered either the Saturday or the Sunday race and will start from the bar at the entrance of the campground.
If you want to do just the night time trail the entry fee is £5. Riders are asked to register as soon as they arrive on Friday afternoon. The night time trail will be the chance to have the course all to yourself and the ideal opportunity to prepare yourself for a day of racing on Saturday or/and Sunday. Riders will start at set intervals and will race one loop against the clock.
Event village
With the ongoing changes and improvements that have been made at the Broadway House venue in Cheddar the facilities are all top notch which will make the Cheddar Bikefest the ideal place to bring the family for the final mountain biking burst of the season. The Bristol Bikefest team are going to add their usual laidback atmosphere with music and a well stocked bar throughout the weekend.
We have paired up once more with our sponsor Kona Bikes (www.konaworld.uk.com) to give every rider who is taking part in the Saturday and the Sunday event a loyalty gift (worth more than £25) - so everybody who has already entered both events or who is going to will be rewarded when you sign on.
Enter now at www.bike-fest.com
