Well, not actually racing against tanks but you get our drift. Everyone loves tanks, don’t they? Anyway, the nice folks at SPAM Biking have just been in touch about the traditional year starting event on January 2nd.
Event entries are open at www.spambiking.co.uk for the traditional winter crossing of Salisbury Plain, using the Imber Range path during its brief opening; it’s used for Army training for the rest of the year.
There are 50km, 35km and 25 km options from a mere £13. (£10 for Spam Members) £18 for the longer routes.
Profits will go to Charities.
Catering will be provided by Scrumptious Catering and Ian from the Drop-off Cafe, probably in his new bus. Also there will be Bertie Maffoons and Bikes ‘N’ Boards shops on site and a Neutral Bike Service for tweaks/repairs from Finely Tuned Ride.
TimeLaps and Mule Bar are also supporting the event. And to catch all the happy smiling faces enjoying the days riding is Adam from Photo-it.
The organisers reckon they may include a coffee stop part way round and there will definitely be cake on sale for the charity Dorothy House. What more could you want from an event, stunning scenery, challenging routes and cake? (And maybe tanks…)
(Story hijack: And if you can’t make this event in the south, how about racing cyclocross on Jan 2nd at the Todmorden Park race up t’north that Chipps is running?)
Sounds like a great way to blow out the Christmas cobwebs!
Just don’t bring your singlespeed!
Even if you’re oop north, it’s worth coming down for this event; you can bring your cyclocross bike, if you must.
another winter warm up event in mid wales
http://www.entrycentral.com/index.php?raceID=100936
I enjoyed this last year, but mistakenly brought a 30lb FS bike. Be aware that the route usually mainly road and track and more suited to CX or fast XC bikes. Wrap up warm kids.
Really enjoyed this last year. I agree with buzz, the longer route especially has a good bit of road. Lots of CX bikes around. I’m looking forward to taking my 29er on it this year. Last year the ground was frozen, but I have heard it can be a mud fest if conditions are a bit warmer.
The road’s in there in case of it’s a mudfest – otherwise we’d never get everyone off the Plain and wrapped up before it gets dark. Fingers crossed for cold weather again.
the ladies and gentlemen of SPAM are looking forward to putting on another Winter Challenge but we should clarify that this is a non-competitve event NOT a race otherwise our insurers won’t be happy. Hope to see lots of you there. The SPAM Chairman.