With just over a week to go before the Bristol Kona Bikefest (Ashton Court, Bristol, 6/7 June), the organisers have experienced a late rush of entries and will be closing the entry to the 12 hour event on Sunday 31 May. So if you want to take part in 12, get in quick.
Entry to Sunday's six hour and the new novice three hour event will remain open, and entries on the day will be available for those as well. It'll cost you an extra fiver on the day, though. You can enter the 12, 6 or 3 hour events online at http://www.bike-fest.com/bristol/entries.php.
It's worth remembering that the organisers are giving away "loyalty gifts" worth over £25 to anyone entering two events at Bristol, or one at Bristol and one at the Cheddar Bikefest later in the year.
It's the fast, predominantly singletrack course that's one of the Bristol Bikefest's main attractions, and we're told that it's in great condition at the moment and will be even better after this weekend when the Bristol Trail Group will be out tidying a few bits. There's also a possibility that the temporary bridge that allows the course to cross itself can be turned around this year so you're not faced with a steep wooden ramp after just completing the stiffest climb on the lap.
The event village has been growing every year, and for 2009 will feature Kona, Ritchey, Sombrio, Saris, CycleOps, Litespeed, Merlin, Torq, Cannondale, Cube, Bionicon, ZeroG, Red Bull, Intense, Maverick, NeoGuard, Merida, Marin, Dodgy Gear, Upgrade, Lezyne, Chris King, Howies, Merion Wool, RAM Bikes, Yeti, Rolling Resistance, Andy Watsworth with his VO2 Max test rig and High5. Kona and Sombrio importers Paligap will also be selling off some of last year's clothing at half price, making a pair of Sombrio Rev shorts just £35. And you'll get an extra 10% discount voucher when you sign on.
Everything you need to know is at www.bike-fest.com/bristol/.
