EVENTS
Upcoming events..
Bristol to Liverpool Mtb Adventure – May 19th-23rd 2019
The Solstice 100 – June 22nd 2019
A unique mountain bike experience..
Bristol to Liverpool Mtb Adventure
19th – 23rd May 2019
This five day event will follow a route from Bristol to Liverpool which is the second leg of a brand new off-road version of the iconic Land’s End / John O’Groats currently being created by us at Mtb Epics UK.
Riding through Bristol, Monmouthshire, Powys, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Denbeighshire, Flintshire, Cheshire and Merseyside, the many highlights will include some of the best mountain biking areas in England & Wales – The Black Mountains, The Long Mynd and The Berwyn Range. Other lesser-known highlights include The Blorenge, Radnor Forest, Stiperstones and The Ceiriog Valley.
Along with the stunning scenery throughout, you will encounter a huge array of trail gems over the 260 mile distance, taking in bridleways, byways, singletrack, woodland, moorland, several trail centres, urban and more..
Make no mistake, this is a tough route for bike and rider, with a high technical aspect in some sections and many steep trails laden with rocks and roots..
The remoteness on some sections of this event mean only very limited facilities can be found. For this reason, we are keeping numbers low and limited to around 40/50 riders..
Entries will open on 1st January 2019. (NB: Riders who participated in the 1st leg – Land’s End to Bristol, will get priority entry. These riders will receive an invite to enter the event several weeks before it goes onto general sale)
Daily Ride Info (distances and elevation are approximate at the moment)
Bristol to Abergavenney
59miles (95km) – 5,147ft (1,569m) elevation gain
Abergavenney to Walton (South of Radnor Forest)
49miles (79km) – 5,465ft (1,665m)
Walton to Bridges (Shropshire Hills)
46miles (74km) – 5,443ft (1,659m)
Bridges to Llangollen
53miles (85km) – 6,167ft (1,879m)
Llangollen to Wallasey (Merseyside)
61miles (98km) – 2,744ft (836m)
Totals; 268miles (431km) – 25,000ft (7,600m)
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– Entry cost is just £225!
What’s included in the entry cost ?
– 5 days fully supported riding
– 4 nights camping
– Luggage transfers
– 4 buffet breakfasts
– Fully detailed OS maps
– GPX files
– Water and feed stops
– Phone/gadget charging facilities
– Bike wash facilities
– Use of workstands and tools
– Public liability insurance
– Event T-shirt
FAQ’s
– How hard is this event?
The 268 mile distance and the 25,000ft of elevation gain is a challenge on its own. With a large part of the route being off-road and with plenty of opportunities to test your mtb skills, together will make this event a pretty tough ride for most. Daily distances will be approx 59, 49, 46, 53 and 61 miles respectively.
– What type of bike do I need ?
A short-ish travel mountain bike is best – either hardtail or full suspension. A CX/gravel bike is probably not suitable, mainly because of the many gnarly rock sections that could destroy your pride and joy! Whatever your choice, your bike will need some decent off-road tyres and be in good working order.
– When and Where does event start and finish?
Registration and luggage handover will take place in the centre of Bristol, next to the The Mud Dock on the morning of Sunday 19th May. The ride itself follows and begins with a mass start. The event finishes on Merseyside with a great backdrop of the Liverpool city skyline on Thursday 23rd May.
– How will I get to and from Bristol/Liverpool?
There are many ways to do this.. and a lot depends on where you live. Probably the easiest way is getting dropped off at the start and collected from the finish but even this requires some careful planning! Another way could be, before the event, driving and leaving a vehicle(s) close to the finish, which would mean an easy and hassle-free way of getting home (or back to Bristol). Both the start and finish locations have excellent main line train links too.
– What do I need to bring ?
A checklist will be sent out around one month before the event. Entrants will be allowed a tent (a pop-up one is a good choice as it’s quick to put up and take down), a foldable camping chair and a hold-all type bag or similar containing everything you’ll need like clothing, bike gear, sleeping bag, mattress etc..
– Where will I park?
For the start, any long stay car park close to Bristol train station or city centre. And for the finish, any long stay in Wallasey/Egremont or in Liverpool city centre itself. More precise details and info will be released a bit nearer the time. Again, ‘where to park?’ is wholly dependent on where you live or are coming/returning from.
– Can I enter on the day?.
No, Last entries will close 14 days (5th May) before the event.
– Will there be bike mechanics on the course ?
Mechanical back-up, which will be carrying plenty of essential spares, is provided and will be just a phone call away. There are also a few bike shops on or close to the route.
– Are you providing any food and drinks?
Yes, we will be providing a buffet breakfast each morning and a daily feed stop which are both included in the entry fee. The breakfast will include cereals, bread, tea/coffee etc. And the feed stops will be well-stocked with sandwiches, savouries, fruit & nuts, crisps, squash etc. Evening meals will be down to you – either a local pub/restaurant or takeaway. If there’s nothing nearby (which will be the case on at least two days) then we’ll arrange menus from food outlets who’ll deliver.
– What happens if I need to abandon ?
You and your bike will be collected and taken to the next overnight stop/finish line to be re-united with your gear.
– Will event run in bad weather ?
Yes, for example if part of the route is flooded, a diversion will be in force.
– I’m planning on arriving in Bristol the night before, is there anywhere to camp/stay?
There’s plenty of accommodation to be found nearby. Bristol YHA is only 200 metres away and has many rooms and bike storage.
– Can friends and family join me ?
Of course! Get in touch with us when you book and we will strive to arrange any accommodation needs. We will produce an info sheet for spectators detailing the best viewing and meeting places en-route if required.
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A Challenging Mtb Experience…
The Solstice 100
Saturday 22nd June 2019
The Pomfret Arms, 10 Cotton End, Northampton, NN4 8BS
This 100 mile (160km) mountain bike sportive takes place close to the longest day of the year –
The Summer Solstice.
The Solstice 100 is back for a fifth year and is once again hosted by The Pomfret Arms.
This year’s event will feature yet another interesting new route and a shorter 50 mile (80km) option.
The route, around 50% off-road, starts and finishes in Northampton and will head to Rutland and back via the beautiful rolling countryside of East Northants and South Leicestershire. Highlights on this year’s route include the historical Rockingham Forest area.
The trails will consist of bridleways, byways, double & singletrack, cycle paths, forest tracks and quiet lanes, all with a wide variety of surfaces. There are no mountains, but this single loop event is one of the longest of its kind in the UK.. Are you up for the challenge?
The Pomfret Arms, a bike friendly pub close to Northampton town centre, will host this event and will once again be serving a special beer for the occasion, produced at their on-site micro-brewery. A pint of ‘Solstice 100’ will be a light and refreshing ale – a perfect thirst quencher after all day in the saddle! There will also be food available at The Pomfret from mid afternoon.
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Entry fee is just £20.00
What’s included in the entry cost ?
– Fully detailed 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping with clearly marked route
– GPX files of route
– Vehicle back up for major bike mechanicals (not punctures!)
– Public liability insurance for all entrants
– Water & Feed stations en route
FAQ’s
– What type of bike would be suitable for this event?
Hardtail or full suspension mountain bikes and cyclocross/gravel bikes would all be fine
– Will event run in bad weather?
Yes, for example if part of the route is flooded, a diversion will be in force.
– What time does event start?
Signing on is early and will be from 6.00am to 7.00am! The event will be a mass start scheduled for 7.05am.
– I’m planning on arriving the night before, is there anywhere to camp/stay?
There are numerous budget hotels in and around Northampton and a very large campsite for tents, camper vans, caravans etc at the nearby Billing Aquadrome.
– Is the whole route signed?
No, only some of the more trickier to follow sections will be signed. However, using the gpx files (which will be emailed to entrants before the event), will be the best and least time-consuming method of navigation. Fully detailed OS maps will also be provided to make navigation easy.
– Can I enter on the day?
Yes, unless event is sold out. (NB. On day entry will be £25 – cash only)
– What happens if i can’t make it to the finish?
We can ‘sweep’ you up and take you to the finish – but there will be a charge, dependent on where you are! Alternatively, with a small detour, It would be possible to get a train from Corby, Oakham or Market Harborough back to Northampton (albeit an awkward route with changes and probably pricey..!)
Tips
– An external power pack is handy for keeping phones and GPS units topped up
– A small set of front lights will be useful – there will be tunnels..!
– Full size OS maps could be useful if you need to bail and look for short-cuts! The map numbers are OS Landranger 152 & 141 (NB: These can be borrowed from libraries)